Strategize, Digitize, Analyze

The latest Cisco VNI Complete Forecast update forecasts that for the first time in its 12-year history, there will be more M2M connections than end-user devices such as smartphones, laptops, TV sets, etc. By 2021, there will be 13.7 billion machine-to-machine (M2M) connections globally, accounting for 51% of the total IP connected devices and connections. This represents an average of 1.75 M2M connections per capita globally – demonstrating how pervasive M2M connections are going to become to our networked lives making Internet of Things (IoT) a reality.

Globally, the largest segment of M2M applications is going to be in the connected home (46% of the total M2M connections by 2021). This segment includes applications such as home automation and security, network equipment (printers, routers, etc.), white goods (connected refrigerators, HVAC control, etc.) as well as human and personal asset tracking. The fastest global growth, however, is going to come from the connected health segment, which includes health monitors, medicine dispensers, telemedicine, applications for assisted living, first responder activity and more. Connected health M2M connections will grow at a 30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2016 to 2021.

While connected cities are the second fastest growing M2M vertical globally (29% CAGR), it is fastest growing segment in regions such as North America (35% CAGR), Middle East and Africa (56% CAGR) and Latin America (50% CAGR). Connected cities includes M2M applications such as environment and public safety (CCTV, street lighting, waste removal, et al.), public space advertising, public transport and road traffic management.

There are multiple examples of connected city advancements around the globe – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubai, San Francisco, and Singapore just to name a few. In these cities, municipalities and local governments are investing in technology initiatives to improve residents’ quality of life and safety while using resources more efficiently via the innovative deployment of M2M solutions. This is not a simple or easy undertaking. To be successful, connected city deployments require an entire ecosystem to plan, execute, and maintain a sustainable digital strategy. Approaches vary from city to city, but a common element are strong partnerships among solution or app providers, cloud/ data center providers, network operators, IT vendors, municipalities and local public administrators (as a baseline minimum). This collaboration must also be backed up with information, awareness, and training to help residents adapt to the digital transformation and understand its intended benefits.

While M2M will account for 51% of the total devices and connections by 2021, they will account for 5% of the total IP traffic. My colleague, Arielle Sumits, has helped estimate M2M traffic by vertical. Connected work, with applications such as office building automation and security, office equipment and commercial appliances, will be generating the largest amount of M2M traffic over the next five years. The fastest growing segment is going to be connected cars, which is also going to be the segment with the highest ratio of video capable connections.

The world’s growing affinity and acceptance of digitization makes networks even more relevant and puts network intelligence and security at the very crux of any successful IoT implementation (large or small).

VNI Forecast Resources
• Cisco VNI Complete Forecast homepage
• Three Internet Trends that Warrant Global Service Provider Attention (and Action) blog
• The Internet is Closer to Home Than You Think blog
• Watch Cisco VNI Complete Forecast Webcast (AMER/EMEAR or APJC)
• Check out the VNI Complete Forecast Update Infographic
• Read the VNI Complete Forecast white paper
• Read the Zettabyte Era Trends and Analysis white paper
• Launch the VNI Complete Forecast Highlights Tool
• Read the Cisco VNI Frequently Asked Questions document