COLLABORATION BETWEEN IOT BUSINESSES , CONNECTIVITY SERVICE PROVIDERS , AND MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS IS NEEDED TO EXPAND THE POTENTIAL OF IOT IN AFRICA .
INDUSTRY WATCH
COLLABORATION BETWEEN IOT BUSINESSES , CONNECTIVITY SERVICE PROVIDERS , AND MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS IS NEEDED TO EXPAND THE POTENTIAL OF IOT IN AFRICA .
As IoT applications power automation across sectors and demand for fleet management and asset tracking technologies increase across the continent , cross-border SIM cards are proving to be a key enabler for businesses to harness the power of this technology .
Seamless cross-border operations have become crucial for businesses relying on IoT devices in an increasingly interconnected world . The cornerstone of these operations is using 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 .
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 under-served areas .
The transformative impact of cross-border SIM cards extends beyond connectivity . In industries like logistics and transportation , healthcare , energy , and agriculture , where cross-border trade is common , these SIMs are essential for maintaining connectivity .
They enable businesses to manage costs , improve reliability , and ensure uninterrupted communication , ultimately driving operational efficiency and enhancing overall business performance .
Fleet management companies , for example , rely on IoT devices installed in each vehicle to ensure seamless real-time tracking of vehicles , drivers , and even fuel levels . These devices constantly transmit data , requiring connectivity in multiple countries .
Unlike a standard SIM locked to a single network in a specific country , a cross-border SIM can automatically switch between networks and providers , ensuring uninterrupted connectivity .
As an example of this in practice , a vehicle tracking company in Zambia could slash downtime of their devices from 22 % to just 1 % by simply switching to cross-border SIMS . It also streamlined operational overheads , freed up valuable resources , and reduced costs by 30 % across 16 Southern African countries . This impacts their business profitability and positively impacts the businesses using their services across those 16 countries .
This reliability is especially key when considering the use of IoT in healthcare . According to a GSMA study ,
The biggest advantage for businesses lies in managing costs and improving reliability . Managing multiple SIMs for different countries can become expensive due to roaming charges and cellular provider costs . In addition , because they work in tandem with device modems , cross-border SIMs allow network switching based on price . Still , they can also switch for better signal strength or coverage to guarantee reliable communication .
Africa has not even scratched the surface of the longterm benefits of IoT yet . By making it more affordable to operate and reducing downtime , cross-border SIM cards can help unlock growth and innovation on the continent , improve logistics , enhance customer service , and improve asset management . This ultimately can improve operational efficiencies , cost management , and boost overall business performance .
To achieve this , collaboration between IoT businesses , connectivity service providers , and mobile network operators is needed to expand the potential of IoT in Africa and truly reap this technology ’ s benefits for Africa and its people .
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