Emerging Trends in the IoT Connectivity Market for 2026

This IDC Market Perspective discusses the emerging trends in the IoT connectivity market. The IoT cellular connectivity market is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by rising enterprise demand for global, scalable solutions, the adoption of eSIM and SGP.32 standards, the emergence of 5G RedCap, and the integration of satellite connectivity. As legacy networks are phased out, LTE-M and NB-IoT are becoming the default, while increasing data usage and advanced analytics are reshaping revenue models. Providers must prioritize long-term reliability, security, and customer education to capitalize on these evolving trends through 2026."As IoT deployments scale globally, the real question for 2026 isn't just about connecting more devices - it's about who will master seamless, secure, and future-proof connectivity in a world where borders, networks, and even orbits are no longer barriers but building blocks for innovation," says Pahul Preet Singh, senior research analyst, Mobile and IoT Communications Services, IDC.