What is IoT connectivity management?

What is IoT connectivity?

IoT connectivity management refers to the process of overseeing and optimizing the connections of IoT devices across various networks, ensuring seamless communication, cost efficiency, and security. Managing IoT connectivity is not as simple as handling traditional mobile communications. IoT devices have diverse connectivity requirements, operate remotely across multiple regions, and demand flexible, automated, and cost-efficient connectivity solutions. A robust Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) enables Connectivity Service Providers to manage SIMs and IoT devices to optimize their IoT offerings and allows enterprises to scale their deployments efficiently while reducing complexity and costs.

Understanding IoT connectivity management platforms

For connectivity service providers (CSPs) and their customers, enterprises selling IoT services globally, efficient IoT connectivity management is crucial for optimizing operations, monetizing services, and increasing revenue. Connectivity management platforms (CMPs) empower

CSPs to provide high-value IoT offerings efficiently, maintaining a low ARPU (Average revenue per user) through automation while
enabling enterprises to manage connectivity efficiently, reduce costs, and scale their services globally.

Unlike traditional mobile connectivity designed for human communication, IoT connectivity must accommodate vastly different device behaviors and requirements. From smart meters that transmit small amounts of data once a day to asset trackers that send location updates every minute while traveling worldwide. IoT use cases demand flexible and scalable connectivity solutions that CSPs must deliver efficiently.

To get a basic understanding let's first dive into the basics of how IoT devices are different to smartphones, how the requirements are different for CSP's and enterprises as stakeholders in the IoT value-chain followed by some more inputs on IoT Connectivity Platfroms.

How are IoT devices different from smartphones?

1. Different usage patterns

Traditional mobile connectivity is optimized for voice, video, and data usage by humans. While people have different communication behaviors, their use cases remain relatively uniform, allowing MNOs to serve millions of customers with a few pricing models and standard network configurations.

2. Diverse IoT use cases require tailored connectivity

IoT connectivity varies widely between different industries and applications:

- Smart meters transmit small amounts of data, stay in one location, and function for decades.
- Connected vehicles generate vast amounts of data and require seamless handover across multiple networks while moving across countries.
- GPS-based asset tracking systems frequently transmit location updates and require global roaming capabilities.

This diversity demands customized network configurations, pricing models, and connectivity management tools that go beyond traditional smartphone plans.

How IoT connectivity differs for CSPs and their enterprise customers

1. Diverse connectivity requirements

Traditional mobile connectivity is optimized for voice, video, and data usage by humans, with standardized pricing models. However, IoT connectivity varies drastically:

- CSPs must offer customized pricing models and service flexibility to meet the needs of enterprise customers and differentiate their services.
- Enterprises selling IoT services require cost-efficient, reliable global connectivity to maintain profitability while delivering seamless IoT services to their customers.

2. Global IoT service delivery

Both CSPs and enterprises must handle multi-network and multi-region deployments:

- CSPs need to provide multi-carrier connectivity to expand their market reach and support enterprise customers' global operations.
- Enterprises need automated connectivity management to reduce manual effort, optimize costs, and ensure uninterrupted service.

What is an IoT connectivity management platform?

A connectivity management platform (CMP) serves as the backbone for managing IoT connectivity across diverse networks and countries, simplifying operations, reducing costs, and enhancing control. It enables automation, security, and scalability, ensuring seamless device connectivity across multiple carriers and regions. With a centralized interface, a CMP provides full visibility and control over SIMs, networks, and device connectivity, empowering businesses to efficiently manage their IoT deployments.

It enables enterprises and service providers to:

Activate, deactivate, and manage SIM cards individually or in bulk.
Monitor and troubleshoot device connectivity issues in real time.
Optimize data plans and network selection to reduce costs.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in different markets.

Why traditional SIM management tools are not enough?

Traditional SIM management tools tied to a single carrier limit connectivity service providers (CSPs) by restricting their ability to offer seamless multi-operator solutions, while enterprises face challenges in scaling their IoT services beyond a single network. This lack of flexibility increases complexity and operational inefficiencies.

A multi-carrier CMP removes these limitations, allowing:

✔ CSPs to enhance their offerings with seamless multi-network connectivity.
✔ Enterprises to manage IoT deployments across multiple networks with greater control and efficiency.

Check out how MAVOCO helps to seamlessly manage IoT Connectivity for Connectivity Service Providers or IoT Connectivity for Enterprises.

What are challenges and benefits of IoT connectivity platforms?

Now we understand the basics of how IoT devices are different from smartphones, what the different needs of CSP's and enterpises in the IoT segment are and what a CMP is. Now let's diver deeper into the key challenges and benefits of using a IoT CMP:

Key challenges of IoT connectivity management

1. Multi-network support for global IoT deployments

Many IoT companies operate in multiple countries, yet MNOs are traditionally optimized for local markets. IoT supply chains are complex, with centralized manufacturing in one country and deployment in multiple regions. Connectivity solutions must support switching between networks based on location, cost, and performance needs.

2. Mission-critical applications demand high reliability

Many IoT applications cannot tolerate downtime. Smart grids, connected healthcare devices, and industrial IoT systems require multiple network redundancies to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in case of coverage issues.

3. Implement flexible and customized business models to monetize IoT and optimize revenues

IoT businesses operate on subscription models, pay-per-use pricing, and customized billing structures. They require real-time insights into data usage, device activity, and network performance to optimize costs and service quality.

4. Security, Compliance, and Fraud Prevention

IoT deployments face increasing security threats, regulatory requirements, and fraud risks. Businesses need secure authentication, encrypted data transmission, and compliance with industry regulations such as GDPR and NIS2. Connectivity solutions must offer advanced fraud detection, automated policy enforcement, and secure remote SIM provisioning to protect devices and networks from unauthorized access and misuse.

5. High Operational Costs and Manual Processes

Managing connectivity across multiple regions and networks is resource-intensive, leading to high operational costs. Many companies still rely on manual processes for SIM lifecycle management, contract negotiations, and troubleshooting, which slows down scalability and increases the risk of human error. Automation, centralized management platforms, and AI-driven analytics can significantly reduce costs, streamline operations, and enhance efficiency.

Key benefits of IoT connectivity management platforms

1. Reduce operational costs

CMPs provide centralized control, eliminating the need for multiple carrier-specific portals and manual processes. By automating device activation, billing, and data usage tracking, businesses can significantly reduce administrative overhead.

Explore our Pages: Workflows for CSPs (Connectivity Service Providers) and Workflows for enterprises selling IoT Services to see how MAVOCO streamlines IoT operations.

2. Scale deployments efficiently

A robust CMP empowers CSPs to efficiently manage large-scale IoT deployments by automating device onboarding, optimizing network selection, and streamlining multi-region expansion—without the hassle of lengthy carrier agreements.

3. Ensure reliable and secure connectivity

A robust Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) provides real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and proactive issue resolution to maintain seamless IoT operations. With intelligent diagnostics, automated cost control, and multi-platform connectivity, businesses can minimize downtime, prevent service disruptions, and ensure high availability for mission-critical applications. Additionally, built-in security measures protect data integrity, prevent unauthorized access, and safeguard IoT deployments against potential threats.

Want to see how these features work in action? Explore features like our SIM Management, Security, Advanced Reporting and Statistics and much more on our MAVOCO IoT CMP features page and discover how our CMP ensures reliable and secure IoT connectivity.

4. Optimize data usage and automated cost control

CMPs provide detailed insights into data consumption and offer automated actions and rules, allowing businesses to adjust rate plans, optimize network selection, and prevent unexpected overages.

Check out our automated cost control features. on our features page.

5. Enable flexible business models

With customizable billing solutions, companies can offer subscription-based connectivity services, pay-per-use plans, and tiered pricing that align with their customers’ needs.

See how our price plan and product management supports diverse IoT business models.

What are the main key components of IoT connectivity management?

Managing IoT connectivity goes beyond simple SIM activations, it requires as already mentioned above a robust Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) that automates processes, enhances security, optimizes costs, and ensures seamless global operations. Whether you're a Connectivity Service Provider (CSP) looking to enhance your IoT offerings or an enterprise managing large-scale IoT deployments, an advanced next-generation CMP provides the tools needed for efficiency, scalability, and control.

Here are the essential components of IoT connectivity management:

1. SIM management

Automate your SIM management workflows, from handling purchase orders to onboarding, provisioning, and every action thereafter. A CMP enables bulk SIM activations, deactivations, and lifecycle tracking across multiple carriers.

2. Account management

Onboard, provision contract details, and lifecycle-manage your customers. Ensure efficient account structures with tailored access levels for different stakeholders.

3. Security and access control

Control and monitor access rights for your organization and customers. Implement strong security protocols to prevent misuse and unauthorized SIM activities.

4. Service management

Define which services your SIMs can access, including security profiles, APNs, roaming profiles, and policy settings. Ensure compliance and service control at scale.

5. Price plans and product management

Create and manage your offerings using flexible price plans for different types of SIMs, usage-based and non-usage-based elements, and customized subscription models.

6. Revenue management

Leverage a real-time rating and billing system to ensure transparent, accurate, and timely billing and invoices. CMPs provide cost allocation and revenue assurance for IoT deployments.

7. Reseller customer management

Empower wholesale and reseller customers with tools to manage their customers, price plans, monitor usage, control costs, and automate IoT billing.

8. Reporting and statistics

Stay on top of your IoT business with real-time visualization of device activity, connectivity status, and network performance. Access comprehensive reports for strategic decision-making.

9. Insider analytics

Monitor platform processes and resource utilization with advanced analytics. Gain insights into device connectivity trends, SIM lifecycle status, and data consumption patterns.

10. Automated cost control

Streamline cost management with automated controls that optimize network selection, prevent overages, and reduce operational expenses.

11. Customer self-service

Enable your customers to self-manage SIM cards, generate purchase orders, configure connectivity settings, and control their IoT deployments via an intuitive portal.

12. Intelligent diagnostics

Provide customers with basic and advanced SIM diagnostics, enabling them to detect, trace, and resolve issues. Access historical data for pattern identification and proactive troubleshooting.

13. Multi-platform overlay

MAVOCO’s multi-platform overlay aggregates multiple CMPs and MNO networks into a single pane of glass. This enables connectivity resale, brokerage, and seamless integration for enterprises operating in multiple regions.

Check out MAVOCO's full feature set and MAVOCO's CMP components and discover how our CMP can help you transform your IoT connectivity management.

What is connectivity management

The future of IoT connectivity management

The Internet of Things (IoT) landscape is rapidly expanding, with projections indicating over 25 billion connected devices by 2030. This development underscores the critical need for next-generation Connectivity Management Platforms (CMPs) to efficiently manage and secure these extensive networks.
Several key developments highlight the importance of CMPs in this evolving IoT environment:

Unified management interfaces: The trend towards a 'Single Pane of Glass' approach allows organizations to oversee multiple networks and devices through a centralized platform, simplifying management and improving visibility.
Enhanced cybersecurity measures: As IoT networks expand, so do the associated security risks. Advanced CMPs incorporate robust security protocols to safeguard against potential breaches and data theft.
Adoption of new connectivity standards
Emerging standards, such as eSIM and remote SIM provisioning (SGP.32), facilitate seamless global IoT deployments, allowing businesses to easily switch network providers across different regions and reduce complexities in scaling operations
Scalability and interoperability: Modern CMPs are designed to support the rapid growth of IoT, ensuring they can scale efficiently while maintaining interoperability across diverse devices and networks.

“1 in 4 SIMs worldwide are no longer used in smartphones but in cars, payment terminals, smart meters, charging stations, or other IoT devices. With over 2 billion cellular IoT subscriptions worldwide, the secure and efficient management of IoT connectivity has become mission-critical for mobile network operators and their customers.” — Phat Huynh, CEO of MAVOCO AG.

With 2 billion+ IoT devices in operation, efficient connectivity management is a key competitive advantage. CSPs and enterprises that adopt advanced CMPs will optimize costs, ensure seamless service, and unlock new revenue streams, positioning themselves as leaders in the IoT ecosystem.

In this evolving landscape, MAVOCO’s CMP stands at the forefront, delivering the flexibility, scalability, and security required to future-proof IoT connectivity management. By providing a cloud- and core-agnostic approach, unified management interfaces, advanced security measures, and interoperability across multiple networks, MAVOCO empowers CSPs and enterprises to navigate the complexities of IoT connectivity with confidence and efficiency.

Ready to take your IoT connectivity to the next level?

Click here to book a 1:1 Session with us to review your IoT strategy and see how you can improve your efficiency and monetize IoT.

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What is IoT connectivity management?