Operational leaders face immediate pressure to scale connectivity pilots into global production while managing data transmission costs.
The second day of the IoT Tech Expo Global and Edge Computing Expo focused more on the engineering realities of these networks. Sessions moved past general digital transformation discussions to address specific protocols, hardware constraints, and the logistics of managing huge device fleets.
The evolution of fleet connectivity
Managing global SIM profiles remains a primary friction point for logistics directors. Julian Skeels from Expereo addressed this in a session on future-proofing global IoT fleets.
Skeels detailed how factory-provisioned connectivity, specifically through the SGP.32 standard, changes the way manufacturers and logistics companies handle device deployment. This standard allows for remote switching of operator profiles without physical SIM swaps, which reduces operational overhead for assets moving across borders.
The practical application of connectivity at scale was further illustrated by Eric Bobek from Just Eat. Bobek’s case study on scaling IoT messaging to one million devices highlighted the difference between laboratory reliability and real-world throughput. He focused on the engineering required to migrate massive fleets under operational constraints. Throughput claims from vendors often falter when subjected to the latency and packet loss found in active delivery networks.
A panel discussion on the future of connectivity expanded on these infrastructure requirements. Speakers from Expereo, Retool, Just Eat, and Wiley examined how 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and satellite options converge to support these networks. The consensus indicated that no single operational technology handles the full load; hybrid approaches that blend cellular and satellite backhaul are becoming standard for maintaining uptime.
Embedded systems and automation
As connectivity stabilises, processing logic moves closer to the physical asset. Szymon Kulec of RavenDB discussed the trajectory of embedded intelligence.
Kulec noted that new chipsets and real-time operating systems (RTOS) now allow machine learning models to run directly on edge devices rather than in the cloud. This reduction in latency is necessary for systems that require immediate decision-making capabilities.
Yulia Samoylova from Datadog provided a software perspective on this hardware capability. Her session on software-defined automation demonstrated how control systems in industrial environments are becoming more flexible. By decoupling the control logic from rigid hardware controllers, facility managers can update automation routines without expensive downtime.
However, increasing the complexity of edge devices introduces maintenance challenges. Nikita Koselev from Mastercard outlined techniques for debugging embedded systems at scale.
Koselev argued that standard debugging methods fail when applied to large, distributed fleets and advocated for advanced telemetry and remote diagnostics to identify issues before they cause system-wide failures. Isaac Bakare from BGC Group supported this view in his talk on ultra-reliable intelligence. Bakare emphasised that building fault-tolerant systems requires engineering for harsh conditions where network availability is intermittent.
For high-value assets, such as those in aviation, connectivity must function regardless of location. Paul Airey from Anthony Nolan presented a session on connected flight regarding Airbus operations. The discussion centered on overcoming the specific difficulties of helicopter connectivity using edge-enabled communication systems. This highlights the niche but high-value application of IoT where standard cellular coverage is nonexistent.
Low-power networks in utilities and infrastructure
While high-bandwidth solutions attract attention, low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) continue to dominate utility and infrastructure use cases.
Dr Gurpinder Dhillon from Senzing presented on LoRaWAN in action. He showcased real-world deployments where the primary requirement is long-range communication with minimal energy consumption.
The utility sector provides the clearest ROI for these low-power technologies. Ha Cole from Microsoft detailed the application of LoRaWAN in smart water infrastructure. She explained how these networks enable leak detection and water quality monitoring. For water companies, the ability to detect leaks early translates directly to capital efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Scaling these low-power networks across a city or region involves distinct architectural choices. Parinita Kothari from Lloyds Banking Group discussed the infrastructure required to support regional LoRaWAN networks, including the management of gateways and backhaul connections. This session indicated that financial institutions are taking a closer interest in the data generated by these physical networks, likely for risk assessment and insurance modeling.
The commercial viability of these networks was the focus of Jane Smith from ThoughtSpot. She outlined various models for monetising LoRaWAN solutions. This suggests that the market is moving from proprietary, closed deployments to service-based models where data is the product.
Industrial IoT and urban planning
The intersection of industrial operations and urban planning was evident in the tracks dedicated to smart cities.
A panel featuring Excell, Divya Kesavan from Lloyds, and Ronnie Sheth from SENEN Group explored the scale of these deployments. They discussed traffic systems and public safety, noting that the challenge lies in integrating legacy utilities with modern sensor networks.
In the industrial sector, the focus remains on operational optimisation. Aswin Peter from British Gas presented on Industrial IoT at the edge. He showed how edge computing enables real-time automation and predictive maintenance. For plant managers, there’s clear value in the reduction of unplanned outages through continuous equipment monitoring.
Governance and standards
Underpinning these deployments is the need for standardised communication. Bogdan Vrusias from The Economist provided a deep dive into protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, and LwM2M. Understanding the distinction between these standards is necessary for architects designing systems that must operate for decades.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements are also driving adoption. Madhusudhan Konda from the EBRD explained how IoT supports environmental monitoring and sustainability reporting.
Yanay Sela from Bright Data extended this to safety, discussing early warning systems for floods and fires. Ruslan Barabash from NIX argued that open ecosystems and community-driven innovation are accelerating this adoption, democratising access to LoRaWAN technologies.
The second day of the co-located events proved that the technology for mass-scale IoT is available. The current hurdle for enterprise leaders is the integration of these tools into legacy workflows and the management of the data they produce.
See also: IoT Expo 2026 Day 1: Driving efficiency with autonomous operations
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