As 27 billion IoT devices light up the digital landscape in 2025, here are 5 trends which stand out as most likely to revolutionise IoT connectivity as we know it.

1: Virtual healthcare

Through IoT-enabled solutions, virtual healthcare will transform patient care. Using AI to combine virtual nursing capabilities with ambient sensing technologies, we should see a more intelligent care environment able to anticipate patient needs while supporting clinical decision-makers. Think virtual hospital rooms, and remote consultations and patient monitoring. In addition, industry analysts predict that by the end of this year, up to 75% of healthcare organisations will have implemented Zero Trust security architecture to protect these critical virtual healthcare systems.

2: Cybersecurity

As IoT devices continue to proliferate industries and use cases, cybersecurity will become even more critical. Experts expect organisations to prioritise real-time threat detection, end-to-end encryption, and regulatory compliance to protect their connected ecosystems.

3: 5G networks + edge computing

The convergence of 5G networks and edge computing will be key to IoT growth, providing low latency, improved reliability, and greater processing capabilities for connectivity solutions. Telecom providers have already begun establishing edge data centres closer to users, reducing latency from 100+ milliseconds to less than 10 milliseconds for real-time applications. FYI, 10 milliseconds is so fast, humans can’t perceive it. It’s instantaneous.

Read: 2024 was a big year for IoT news

4: Smart city tech for energy management

Smart cities will leverage IoT-powered energy distribution systems to better optimise resource usage - a trend driven by growing market demand for sustainable solutions and clear return on investment through intelligent grid management. Predictions show a potential reduction in energy consumption of up to 20%. A prime example is smart street lighting systems that automatically adjust brightness based on time of day and real-time traffic patterns.

5: IoT regulation changes

As with last year, 2025 will continue to see an evolution in IoT regulations, particularly around data protection, making compliance a critical factor for global operations. Organisations will need to adapt their IoT strategies - and fast.

Increased regulation will also drive the need for more sophisticated and secure connectivity management. For this, we’ve got you covered, with our CentralFlex connectivity management platform. Have a look at the benefits here: https://www.ionlinesp.com/management-portal.

2025 looks set to be a pivotal year for IoT innovation. While predicting the future is never certain, one thing is clear: this year will demand smarter, more secure, and more sustainable IoT solutions.



The question isn't just which trends will dominate, it's how will you connect and leverage them to transform your business?