Cellular IoT connectivity revenue is expected to exceed $30bn globally in 2030, according to a study from Juniper Research.

The market watcher found operators will generate $30bn from cellular IoT connectivity globally in 2030, representing a rise of 74% from $18bn in 2025, driven by a rising demand for operational efficiency and automation.

To capitalise on this growth, Juniper Research urges network operators to innovate how they monetise IoT connectivity, with network APIs emerging as a key technology. By providing standardised, on-demand access to cellular network capabilities, APIs enable operators to shift from monthly subscription charges to usage-based monetisation.

Enterprises increasingly demand flexibility in how they are charged; Juniper Research believes the established recurring subscription model for connectivity is becoming insufficient in meeting this demand. Instead, operators must support IoT-centric APIs that charge through the usage of IoT networks, rather than solely connectivity.

“Operators will find far more success in the IoT space through usage-based billing,” said Alex Webb, senior research analyst at Juniper Research. “As we move closer to 6G, operators cannot repeat the mistakes of 5G. Connectivity alone is not enough. Operators must leverage software-defined networks to increase revenue through billing mechanisms that align with high data usage.”

To increase the impact of APIs, operators must simplify how enterprises use these network capabilities. Juniper urges operators to implement standards-based network APIs through developer portals. This will enable all enterprises, regardless of their experience with networking protocols, to deploy network applications easily without needing deep telecom expertise, increasing cellular IoT’s appeal.

An extract from the new report is available as a free download at www.juniperresearch.com/research/telecoms-connectivity/network-connectivity/cellular-iot-strategies-research-report.