How transportation leaders can tackle IoT deployments.

Today’s IoT devices are smarter, more mobile, and more secure than ever. How choosing the right network unlocks their full potential.


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KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Advances in Internet of Things (IoT) technology are making smart devices more powerful and better connected than ever before.

  • Transportation companies are benefiting from networks of IoT devices that improve supply chains, provide better inventory and fleet management, and increase visibility for operators and customers.

  • Integrating IoT capabilities with existing systems gives companies tools to optimize their process and provide better customer support.

We embraced the first wave of the Internet of Things (IoT) by making mindless devices smart and connecting them to the cloud. Today, IoT is about making smart devices more mobile, more secure, and using them to help us make smarter business decisions. What drives these decisions is the information IoT can deliver, and with more devices on the move, the network you use for your IoT is more important than ever.


The explosion of IoT devices, from temperature and motion sensors to infrared cameras and RFID trackers, has led to a similar explosion of data. What was once an occasional status report of a few bytes of data from an HVAC system has turned into gigabytes of telemetry from sensors and machines transmitting in real-time. The low data business of years past is now a high-bandwidth critical operational concern, presenting new challenges and new opportunities in connected transportation.

“The growth of IoT is impressive. But even more important are the leaps in efficiency and problem solving this data-rich environment can deliver. The wealth of data, whether it’s equipment location, inventory levels, or machinery operations, opens up a world of possibilities for businesses seeking greater efficiencies, reduced costs, or new business opportunities.

Nathan Forster, Automotive and Transportation Expert. 

The challenges of today’s IoT:

  • Greater data requirements call for more advanced connectivity.
  • Integration with enterprise systems is more tedious because of a more diverse array of IoT devices.
  • Security is more critical as IoT devices trade in more essential business information.

The IoT benefits that lead to cost reduction:

  • Improved strength and resiliency for supply chains to overcome potential disruption.
  • More effective and streamlined ESG reporting and compliance.
  • Better inventory, equipment, and fleet management, leading to efficiencies and savings.
  • Increased visibility for operators and customers to plan ahead.

The business applications for IoT.

  • Asset tracking solutions: Actionable data, including IoT asset location and information about the condition of goods or equipment and the environment they occupy.
  •  Predictive maintenance: Telemetry from machinery that includes vibration and operational data indicating a failure is imminent.
  • Fleet management: From forklifts to tractor trailers, IoT fleet management data improves utilization and routing based on real-time and historical data.
  •  Facility monitoring and automation: Identify risks and take action with greater speed and efficiency than manual processes.
  • Last mile: The most challenging piece of the logistics puzzle, whether on foot or via drone, relies on IoT.

72%

of survey respondents* expect to increase their IoT budgets over the next 12 months.1

Cargo plane with hatch open and packages getting loaded into it via a conveyor belt, overlaid by an example status screen with flight, inventory, and other data.

Why integrate IoT?

The strength of today’s IoT is the diversity of smart and connected objects under its umbrella. But to make use of that diversity and improve operational efficiencies, it must integrate with existing systems—like established enterprise management (EMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS)—and leverage new ones like state-of-the-art wireless networks. A solution provider should demonstrate that its integrated IoT transportation solutions can transform raw data into actionable results that enable better decisions, process improvements, greater efficiency, and lower costs. Consider partners that can offer a high degree of integration, including:

  • Broad device and sensor technology support, from truck tracking to computer vision and RFID tags.
  • Partnering with numerous ecosystems, including multiple telematics vendors and logistics management software programs.
  • Extensive API support and platform compatibility to work with enterprise-wide systems and specialized equipment like warehouse robots.
  • Native cloud compatibility and edge computing support.

94%

of U.S. respondents* said that a monthly service program with all end-to-end IoT services under one roof would be beneficial.1

Connected IoT devices used in a warehouse, office, and store and in trucks en route between them.

Capabilities to look for in integrated
IoT transportation solutions:

Certified IoT devices.

When building your IoT network, look for mobile operators that demonstrate a proactive and wide-reaching certification program, including:

  • A catalog of common IoT devices—which can include GPS trackers, telematics devices, sensors, and much more—that are already certified and ready to go.
  • A certification process for more unique IoT projects that fall outside common devices or use cases.
A manager in a hardhat checks inventory in a warehouse aisle using a connected tablet.

81%

of survey respondents* expect the number of IoT devices in the field to increase over the next 18 months.1

Connectivity management.

Consider whether the operator has proven features and services that enable customers to quickly leverage available network technologies and the inventory of available IoT devices, including:

  • A comprehensive, automated process to select, order, and provision a broad range of IoT devices.
  • Turnkey eSim service to enable remote activation and configuration of IoT devices over the air.
  • A range of billing models, such as recurring, prepaid, pooled, location, or time-based, that can be matched to enterprise requirements.
  • A web portal with a well-designed user interface, coupled with backend self-service tools to manage these capabilities.
  • Real-time usage monitoring, diagnostics, and self-support features that automate connectivity management and troubleshooting, and minimize manual processes.
  • Global connectivity solutions that can deal with the complexities of multinational deployments.

Customer support.

To simplify customer service for IoT, business leaders should prioritize such network operator capabilities as:

  •  A dedicated account team, with specific experience and expertise in IoT for logistics and transportation.
  •  A consultative approach that begins by identifying the customers’ particular business problem and desired business outcomes for IoT.
  • Specialist IoT services that ensure support when and where needed during the project life cycle, from initial design through post-deployment support and management.
  • Simple, clear, and flexible pricing plans that are consistent across regions and a streamlined contract framework that can be applied globally.

Optimizing the IoT with proven wireless technologies.

Being able to leverage different wireless network technologies gives you options for deploying IoT in more locations and for optimizing IoT performance and cost-effectiveness. A single provider should be able to incorporate private on-premises networks into a broader coast-to-coast network through key wireless networking technologies for IoT—Narrowband IoT, LTE-M, 4G/LTE, and 5G. These technologies offer business leaders a range of cost-effective, large-scale IoT deployments in multiple locations.

Automated warehouse with autonomous mobile robots in foreground, one loading boxes onto another.

3x

By 2033, the IoT-powered logistics market is expected to more than triple to $146.1 billion.2

Narrowband IoT is ideal for stationary, small data payloads, such as smart, connected fuel storage tanks or other fluid meters. These wireless technologies send just a small amount of data infrequently, use little power, stay connected for a long time, and are relatively low-cost. LTE-M adds the capability to maintain connectivity while in motion, for IoT initiatives like asset tracking. It can also support voice service for applications like security systems.

The majority of IoT transportation solutions today use 4G LTE, a highly reliable and widely available technology. More advanced IoT applications are leveraging the latest technology in 5G connectivity. Automated guided vehicles, computer vision, and IoT that leverages edge computing take advantage of the lower latency and higher upload/download speeds that 5G enables.

Going where no IoT
device has gone before.

There are still places that struggle to make internet connection. Remote, rugged terrain that’s far from populated areas and cell coverage or crowded metropolitan areas with problem spots like underground garages can foil some IoT deployments. We offer a next-generation service—with more on the way—that will help shape the future of IoT.

In dense urban environments, fixed wireless has already proven itself for consumers who need internet access where some wired options are overwhelmed or unavailable. We are now deploying fixed wireless solutions for smart IoT devices, such as public electric vehicle charging stations, which require reliable internet connections indoors and out.

Satellite direct-to-cell service is already in testing by T-Mobile in partnership with SpaceX and Starlink. New satellites already launched, and later this year, planned software updates will begin turning some existing smartphones into satellite phones. It means T-Mobile customers would be able to send texts from anywhere, even so-called dead zones, up to low-earth orbit satellites and then out to the internet. By 2025, we plan to enable this service for IoT devices currently unreachable in such locations.

78%

of respondents* said achieving near 100% global connectivity was crucial to their business case.1

Security is critical.

Building out mission-critical systems using IoT devices means you must consider security as an essential component of your business plans—particularly in the transportation sector.

Led by zero day attacks on supply chains, the transportation sector experienced a 41% increase in cyber attacks in 2023. That amounted to a record number of data breaches in the industry.

T-Mobile for Business is at the forefront of security, offering the industry’s first SIM-based Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution as well as the first connected transportation solution to offer customers a secure network slice dedicated solely to SASE traffic. Using a SIM-based SASE solution can be an invaluable part of your security approach because it helps protect IoT devices that are unable to support traditional SASE software. These products make it easier for your organization to protect corporate data and network resources from anywhere.

41%

increase in cyber attacks in transportation in 2023 compared to the previous year, led by zero day attacks on supply chains.3

Conclusion.

Future opportunities for IoT in transportation seem endless, from smart traffic management and environmental monitoring to 5G-connected autonomous vehicles and connected infrastructures. But you don’t have to wait for those technologies to arrive, or tackle these challenges alone. The diversity and reliability of existing IoT devices and the sophisticated communications networks to support them are already here.

And with the right partner at your side through all of the twists and turns, you can be confident in building your IoT capabilities with integrated solutions. T-Mobile never charges fees for consultation or professional services, we’re with you every step of the way. Find out how our network options, unsurpassed 5G coverage, and vendor partnership can boost your IoT plans and your bottom line.

Discover more resources.

* Senior decision makers with at least one IoT project in the last year.

1. Eseye, “2023 State of IoT Adoption Survey Highlights,” October 10, 2023.

2. The Brainy Insights, “IoT Powered Logistics Market Size Is Surpassing USD 146.1 Billion by 2033, Growing at Projected 13.2% CAGR,” March 4, 2024.

3. Identity Theft Resource Center, “Identity Theft Resource Center 2023 Annual Data Breach Report Reveals Record Number of Compromises; 72 Percent Increase Over Previous High,” January 25, 2024.

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