What is IoT?

You might be hearing and seeing the phrase IoT a lot more lately and even though you know it stands for the Internet of Things, you may be wanting to know more about the importance of IoT and how it is changing the world.

In the simplest terms, the Internet of Things refers to all the devices, machines and objects that are connected to the internet and transferring and sharing data. A lot of people are already using IoT at home every day with their smart speakers, robotic vacuum cleaners, smart heaters and thermostats, lighting systems, security and personal assistants to name just a few.

So, what has made IoT possible?

As technology has advanced so has the development of computer chips. They’ve significantly reduced in size and cost which now allows them to be integrated into almost everything, even tiny objects. Couple that with a robust wireless network and the possibilities to connect them to the internet are infinite.

Adding sensors to connected objects adds another level of intelligence allowing information to be collected and shared in real-time. This, in turn, enables the digital and material worlds to merge and become smarter and more responsive.

As 5G becomes more widely available globally we will see a dramatic increase in the number of connections and speed of data transfer enabling IoT and 5G to work together synergistically. By 2025 there will be an estimated 21 billion connected devices globally.

Due to 5G providing faster speeds, improved bandwidth and lower latency, governments and businesses around the world can now start to create the smart cities of the future. New Zealand is leading the way in realising this dream. Read how Spark is engaged in these exciting ventures

As you can imagine, the business value of IoT is enormous. Businesses that are now using IoT sensors are seeing great benefits such as increased efficiency, optimised processes and cost savings. Sensors, devices and IoT applications can be used for a huge variety of business needs, everything from asset and fleet tracking to monitoring environmental conditions.

Business adoption of IoT also leads into the bigger picture of what is now referred to as Industrial IoT. Almost all industry sectors are transforming their operations in various ways to introduce automation, track and maintain systems, change the way they service customers, manage employees and create new streams of revenue. See how Spark is working with industries in New Zealand

The future of IoT is exciting, imagine a world with billions of connected devices and real-time data enabling city systems and processes to run more effectively and sustainably. A world where smart connections make life easier at work and home.

Where driverless cars save you the effort of sitting in traffic and finding a park; where a drone will deliver your takeout or new shoes…where everything is just more efficient and streamlined to allow you to have more time to relax and enjoy life with friends and family.

Related articles

Explore our additional resources