Colombia. Global connectivity is going through a decisive transition stage. The Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem will exceed 21 billion connected devices globally by 2025, driven by the digitization of sectors such as industry, logistics, energy and agriculture, according to estimates by industry analysts and data from GSMA Intelligence.
This growth coincides with the progressive shutdown of 2G and 3G networks in multiple markets, a process that is forcing companies and operators to accelerate the adoption of new connectivity technologies.
This context has a direct impact on markets such as Colombia, where IoT is gaining prominence in verticals such as energy, agribusiness, logistics and smart cities, and where the operational continuity of thousands of connected devices has become a strategic priority.
"What we are seeing is not just a technological evolution, but a turning point for thousands of IoT projects that still rely on legacy networks. The withdrawal of 2G and 3G is forcing us to rethink connectivity strategies in the short term," explains Alberto de Lucas, technical director of Alai Secure.
According to GSMA Intelligence, 5G deployment will continue to gain traction to account for more than 50% of global mobile connections by 2030, cementing itself as the foundation for new IoT services, private networks and mission-critical applications. In this scenario, technology migration has gone from being a strategic objective to becoming an immediate operational necessity.
"Many organizations had not prioritized this transition, but now they are facing a scenario in which maintaining service continuity is key to their daily operation," adds the executive.
5G RedCap: A Key Enabler for the New IoT
Among the alternatives that are gaining relevance in this technological migration process is 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability), an optimized version of 5G designed for IoT devices that require energy efficiency and contained costs, without the need for the full capabilities of the standard.
"RedCap allows us to make the leap to 5G in use cases where it was not technically or economically viable before. It is a key enabler for the new generation of industrial and M2M devices," says De Lucas.
eSIM, iSIM and remote connectivity management
The adoption of eSIM and iSIM is transforming the way large volumes of connected devices are managed, by enabling remote provisioning and updating of network profiles. This evolution reduces reliance on physical hardware and improves the scalability of IoT deployments, especially in geographically distributed projects.
"The ability to manage connectivity remotely not only brings operational efficiency, it also introduces an additional layer of security against fraud and misuse of the network," the spokesperson stresses.
Satellite networks and coverage in critical environments
Another vector that is gaining prominence is the integration of low-orbit satellite networks (LEO/NTN) with terrestrial cellular infrastructures, expanding coverage in remote or hard-to-reach areas, a key factor for strategic sectors in the region.
"For sectors such as energy, transport or agriculture, connectivity can no longer depend on a single network. The combination of terrestrial and satellite networks guarantees continuity and resilience," he says.
Security and regulation, determining factors
The growth of IoT and the adoption of new connectivity technologies are accompanied by greater regulatory and cybersecurity requirements. Device certification, data protection and network resilience are consolidated as critical factors in large-scale digitalization projects.
"In a scenario of accelerated IoT growth, connecting more devices is not enough. The real challenge is to do it in a secure, interoperable way and aligned with the regulatory frameworks of each market," concludes De Lucas.
