Cellular IoT Market Outlook: 2026

Cellular IoT devices are those that connect to cellular networks. IoT devices are developed with in-built connect functionality, such as smartphones, to increase the availability of these devices, to reduce the additional infrastructure cost, and to enable long-distance communications. These IoT devices can be scanners, smartphones, sensors, and others. Cellular IoT is also capable to enable Low-Power, Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) applications. As these are commercial applications, cellular IoT has the capability to address both the simpler requirements of the massive IoT market and the highly specific and sensitive demands of complex applications & environments. There are primarily two key forms of cellular IoT, namely, Long Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M) and Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IOT). Application areas such as smart cities, precision agriculture, vending machines, fleet monitoring, and others, which need to communicate reliably and securely over long distances, are examples of NB-IoT and LTE-M, thus providing major opportunities for cellular IoT market share. 

Rise in digitalization among industries across diverse verticals, such as manufacturing, automotive, and energy & utilities are the key factors expected to drive the global cellular IoT market growth. In addition, rise in demand for extended network coverage, growth in inclination toward business expansion beyond mobile broadband, and need to accommodate large number of connected devices among businesses across the globe are some of the other major factors expected to propel the growth of the cellular IoT market. However, fragmentation in the technology market and lack of regulation for spectrum allocation restrain the growth of the cellular IoT market. Furthermore, increase in R&D activities for high-performance RF filters and microwave filters to provide fast data throughput, minimize energy losses, and extend battery life is a global cellular IoT market opportunity for the key players.

The cellular IoT market is segmented into component, type, application, and region. Based on component, it is bifurcated into hardware and software. By type, it is classified into 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE–M, NB–LTE–M, and NB–IoT. In terms of application, it is categorized into retail, energy, healthcare, smart city, agriculture, manufacturing, building automation, consumer electronics, environment monitoring, and automotive & transportation. Region-wise, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

The key players profiled in the cellular IoT market analysis are Commsolid GmbH, Gemalto NV, Mediatek Inc., Mistbase Communication System, Qualcomm Incorporated, Sequans Communication, Sierra Wireless, Telit Communications PLC, Texas Instruments, U–Blox Holding AG, and ZTE Corporation. These players have adopted various strategies to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. Current and future cellular IoT market trends are outlined to determine the overall attractiveness of the market.

KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS

• The study provides an in-depth analysis of the current global cellular IoT market share along with the current trends and future estimations to elucidate the imminent investment pockets.
• Information about key drivers, restraints, and opportunities and their impact analysis on the market size is provided.
• Porter’s five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers and suppliers operating in the industry.
• The quantitative analysis of the global cellular IoT industry from 2018 to 2026 is provided to determine the market potential.

KEY MARKET SEGMENTS

By Component

• Hardware
• Software

By Type

• 2G
• 3G
• 4G
• 5G
• LTE–M
• NB–LTE–M
• NB–IoT

By Application

• Retail
• Energy
• Healthcare
• Smart City
• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Building Automation
• Consumer Electronics
• Environment Monitoring
• Automotive & Transportation

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • UK
  • Germany 
  • France
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Singapore
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• LAMEA
  • Latin America 
  • Middle East
  • Africa

KEY MARKET PLAYERS PROFILED 

• Commsolid GmbH
• Gemalto NV 
• Mediatek Inc. 
• Mistbase Communication System 
• Qualcomm Incorporated 
• Sequans Communication 
• Sierra Wireless 
• Telit Communications PLC 
• Texas Instruments 
• U–Blox Holding AG 
• ZTE Corporation