The world is getting more connected every day. These connected devices help people work more easily and live better. IoT connectivity connects devices to the internet and to each other. Connected devices can share information and work on their own.
People and companies use these devices every day. The State of IoT 2024 report says there were about 18.8 billion IoT devices connected around the world by the end of 2024. This number keeps going up as more industries use smart devices. Knowing the types of IoT connections helps businesses choose what works best for them.
What is IoT connectivity?
IoT connectivity is a way to connect smart devices to a network and the internet. With this connection, devices can send and receive data by themselves. Because of this, they do not need people to control them all the time. Usually, the connection uses Wi-Fi, mobile networks, or fiber optic cables.
This is why IoT connectivity is important for smart systems. In a smart factory, machines and sensors are connected to a control system. Then, they share real-time data about work progress, product quality, and machine condition. This helps companies watch their operations and make quicker decisions.
For IoT to work well, a strong and reliable network is needed. Here, fiber optic networks give fast and stable connections. As more devices are added, fiber networks become important to send large amounts of data to data centers.
The 4 types of IoT
The IoT market has different categories based on how and where the technology is used. Each type serves specific industries and purposes. Understanding IoT connectivity is important for all these types because it decides how well devices and systems work together. Here are the four main types:
Consumer IoT (CIoT)
People at home or in their daily life are mostly using this IoT type using smart devices. These devices connect to the internet. Examples include smart speakers, fitness trackers, smart thermostats, and security cameras. Thus, Transforma insights shows that this type makes up about 60% of all IoT devices.
Commercial IoT
Many businesses are using this IoT. For example, stores use connected systems to track products. In addition, hotels use smart systems to control room temperature and lighting. At the same time, restaurants use sensors to monitor food storage. As a result, these technologies help businesses work more efficiently and reduce costs.
Industrial IoT (IIoT)
Many factories and warehouses are using this IoT type. In many cases, machines are connected to watch performance and find problems early. As a result, it helps reduce breakdowns and improve product quality. Because of these benefits, the update from IoT analytics shows that the use of this technology is growing fast.
Infrastructure IoT
Infrastructure IoT uses simple smart devices to help cities run better. In everyday operations, these devices connect to the internet and share data. For example, power systems use them to check electricity and find problems early. At the same time, water systems use sensors to detect leaks and reduce water waste. Meanwhile, traffic systems rely on smart lights and sensors to keep traffic moving smoothly. Because of this, all of these systems need a stable internet connection. As a result, cities work better and life becomes easier for people.
Moving forward with smart connectivity
IoT connectivity is growing very fast as more devices connect every day. As a result, businesses need strong and dependable networks. In practice, IoT systems rely on connections that are both fast and stable. In this context, dark fiber plays a key role by delivering high-speed and reliable connectivity for large-scale IoT networks.
To support this demand, ARNet provides dark fiber infrastructure across Southeast Asia. Today, we operate more than 10,000 kilometers of fiber across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Through this footprint, our network connects over 60 data centers and supports major technology companies and hyperscalers.
At the same time, owning and managing our own network enables faster deployment and consistent service quality. With continuous monitoring, we deliver over 99.99% uptime. This makes it easier for your business to adopt, scale, and future-proof IoT deployments.
About the Author
Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet