IoT in 2026: Global connectivity set for ‘great re-alignment’

Enterprises are expected to change how they connect and manage Internet of Things devices in 2026, moving away from building and running their own connectivity stacks toward managed services. After a decade of trying to match the promise of IoT with the reality of supporting distributed devices, many CIOs now see in-house connectivity as a source of risk rather than control.

This shift points to a broader re-alignment in global IoT connectivity, where mobile operators, specialist connectivity providers, and managed service platforms will play a larger role. The goal is to reduce operational headaches, standardise how devices connect across borders and networks, and let enterprises focus more on using IoT data than on keeping the infrastructure alive.