Verizon Business is taking its IoT connectivity global with coverage in 170 countries around the world.

The operator’s ThingSpace solution aims to provide all the tools needed to prototype, test, connect and manage IoT devices on Verizon’s network.

Permanent roaming options are now available across North America and Western Europe all on a single SIM—providing enterprises with the flexibility they need to monitor a wide array of IoT devices.

Changes the way businesses work

Tami Erwin, CEO at Verizon Business, said: “The IoT connectivity is changing the way businesses monitor devices and increasing the strategic business value of the data collected.”

The number of IoT devices is growing exponentially, he noted, and organizations prefer to align with a trusted technology partner who can offer the technical expertise and geo-scale they require.

“Our global IoT connectivity services are all underpinned by Verizon’s years of expertise and industry-leading ThingSpace platform, not to mention a path to evolving into 5G Massive IoT,” Erwin added.

Permanent roaming options are now available across North America and Western Europe all on a single SIM—providing enterprises with the flexibility they need to monitor a wide array of IoT devices.

152,200 IoT devices

In addition, IDC, the premium global market intelligence firm, estimates that around 152,200 IoT devices will connect every minute by 2025, while enterprises can deploy IoT devices with permanent roaming across the UK, Canada, and over 10 European markets.

Verizon’s IoT device connectivity operates via a best of breed partner ecosystem and is available globally to US multinational companies with fixed or mobile connectivity requirements. Organizations can deploy devices with permanent roaming across Canada, the UK and more than 10 European markets.

Erwin said during Verizon’s March investment day that it’s starting to see the benefit of industrial IoT investments, adding 10 million incremental machine-to-machine LTE connected devices in 2020 and delivering double-digit connections and revenue growth.

This year, Verizon expects to see continued growth as it scales its IoT practice and installs devices supporting the evolution from 4G to 5G.

With the pandemic, Verizon is seeing unique demand in areas like DIY connected alarm systems and cross-border asset tracking, a representative said. Over the next few years, analysts at IDC estimate that 150,000+ IoT devices will connect every minute.

A big motivator for Verizon in the global IoT sector appears to be rival AT&T, which spent years developing its IoT connectivity business and has offered global IoT services for a long time, including with many major car companies.