Peter Walsh, MD of CommsCloud.
ONEAccording to a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Africa has one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world, with only about 28% of the population having access to the internet. This statistic highlights the vast untapped potential of the IOT applications to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity in the region.
As automation powers IOT applications across sectors and demand for fleet management and asset tracking technologies grows across the continent, cross-border SIM cards are proving to be a key enabler for businesses to harness the power of this technology.
Africa has seen significant growth in the adoption of IOT technologies, with the market volume expected to reach $47 billion by 2028. This is despite low internet penetration and high costs, which have always affected early adoption of IOT technologies. However, the growth forecast shows the immense opportunities and potential of IOT applications to transform various industries across the continent.
The role of cross-border SIMs
Seamless cross-border operations have become vital for businesses based on IOT devices in an increasingly interconnected world. The cornerstone of these features is the use of cross-border SIM cards, robust cloud-based IOT infrastructure and remote SIM card management capabilities. These solutions bridge the gap between networks and countries, ensuring consistent communication and data transfer.
Fleet management companies, for example, rely on IoT devices installed in each vehicle to ensure seamless real-time monitoring of vehicles, drivers and even fuel levels. These devices are constantly transmitting data, requiring connectivity in many countries.
Unlike a standard SIM that is locked to a single network in a specific country, a cross-border SIM can automatically switch between networks and carriers, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.
As an example of this in action, a vehicle tracking company in Zambia was able to reduce its device downtime from 22% to just 1.23% by simply switching to a cross-border SIMS. It also streamlined operational costs, freed up valuable resources and reduced costs by 30% across 16 countries in Southern Africa. This affects the profitability of their business and positively affects the businesses that use their services in these 16 countries.
Driving efficiency and reliability
The transformative impact of cross-border SIM cards extends beyond connectivity. In industries such as logistics and transportation, healthcare, energy and agriculture, where cross-border trade is common, these SIMs are essential to maintain connectivity. They enable businesses to manage costs, improve reliability and ensure uninterrupted communication, ultimately driving operational efficiency and enhancing overall business performance.
The biggest advantage for businesses lies in managing costs and improving reliability. Managing multiple SIMs for different countries can get expensive due to roaming charges and carrier costs. Additionally, because they work alongside device modems, cross-border SIMs allow network switching based on price. However, they can also be changed for better signal strength or coverage to guarantee reliable communication.
This reliability is especially important when considering the use of IOT in healthcare. According to a Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) study, IoT applications in healthcare could save millions of lives in Africa by enabling remote patient monitoring, access to medical data and improved healthcare delivery, especially in areas that are not served.
A common application of IOT in healthcare is remote temperature monitoring of connected drug and vaccine storage refrigerators to ensure they remain at stable temperatures. The continuous flow of data and information allows for early detection of temperature changes and for healthcare workers to take action to limit damage to these life-saving medicines. Consider the impact of message delays due to poor connectivity.
Look forward
Africa has yet to scratch the surface of the long-term benefits of IOT. By making operation more accessible and reducing downtime, cross-border SIM cards can help unlock growth and innovation on the continent, improve logistics, improve customer service and improve asset management. This can ultimately improve operational efficiency and cost management and enhance overall business performance.
However, to achieve this, collaboration between IOT enterprises, connectivity service providers and mobile network operators is required to expand the potential of IOT in Africa and truly reap the benefits of this technology for Africa and its people. .
This is key to addressing Africa’s infrastructure challenges and ensuring inclusive growth, especially in agriculture, healthcare and energy. The future of IOT in Africa depends on fostering collaboration and leveraging innovative solutions such as cross-border SIM cards to promote connectivity, efficiency and prosperity across the continent.