Summary Bullets:
• T-Mobile added data connectivity to T-Satellite in an announcement pivoting from “emergency messaging” focus of the service’s launch towards app-based data services and higher enterprise relevance

• Early business app integrations, coupled with an expanded set of consumer apps, position T-Satellite as a broader competitive play in satellite-to-mobile, though IoT support and performance limitations remain concerns

When T-Mobile launched T-Satellite commercially in July, the focus was firmly on safety and resilience. SMS, MMS, and text-to-911 formed the core offering, with compelling stories of hikers rescued and emergency alerts broadcast in disaster zones. At the time, the service’s competitive strengths were clear: broad device support, seamless integration with existing smartphones, and unique value in public safety. But there were also several limitations: no data or voice, little to offer enterprises beyond the “resilience” messaging, and no clarity on IoT support.

The company did promise to add support for data in October, and it kept that promise by announcing its availability on the first day of the month. With data now switched on, T-Satellite can support popular apps like WhatsApp, AllTrails, AccuWeather, Google Maps, and T-Mobile’s own T-Life customer portal. The key feature is WhatsApp voice and video chat over satellite, demonstrating that T-Satellite is no longer limited to one-way messaging and can now support real-time communications, albeit with constrained performance compared to terrestrial 5G.

For consumers, it’s a tangible leap in functionality, making T-Satellite relevant not only in emergency scenarios but to outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, or anyone in a rural dead zone (who can now stay connected with their smartphone apps despite the lack of mobile signal). Apple’s Emergency SOS and satellite iMessage have so far offered narrower sets of features, whereas T-Satellite is making mainstream apps usable in off-grid conditions, targeting a wider appeal and one not limited to a single device ecosystem.

On the enterprise side, T-Mobile noted support for several apps relevant to business and public sector users. Dialpad (unified communications), FLORIAN (real-time location monitoring), MultiLine (secure, compliant business communications), and T-Mobile Direct Connect (push-to-talk) are all now supported by T-Satellite. This is a notable step toward the enterprise relevance that was absent at the initial launch. For field services, first responders, and regulated industries like finance or healthcare, the assurance of “always-on” communications, even beyond terrestrial networks, addresses real gaps in continuity and safety.

Still, the new announcement does not address all potential use cases. IoT support remains unaddressed by T-Mobile, and organizations in industries such as logistics, utilities, and agriculture will continue to look to rivals who are further ahead in satellite IoT integration. In addition, while T-Satellite now supports data-based apps, performance (throughput) is limited, and the experience will not replicate terrestrial mobile broadband. T-Mobile acknowledges this openly, describing the connectivity as designed for critical functions rather than data-heavy use.

In terms of competitive positioning, the service is now more than a safety/emergency add-on. It strengthens T-Mobile’s differentiation versus AT&T’s FirstNet and Verizon’s Frontline, demonstrating both consumer value and initial enterprise relevance. The fact that it is included in top-tier T-Mobile plans at no extra cost (and even available to AT&T and Verizon customers for $10 per month) is an aggressive marketing move. By broadening access, T-Mobile appears confident that the real differentiator will be the user experience and partner ecosystem, not exclusivity.

Looking ahead, T-Satellite’s trajectory in the enterprise space will hinge on two factors: how quickly T-Mobile can move from early enterprise applications to full vertical solutions, and whether it can articulate a credible IoT roadmap. Without those, the service risks being viewed primarily as a consumer perk with limited depth for business users. With them, it could become a crucial feature in industries that depend on connectivity anywhere.

For now, the new announcement is a genuine milestone, achieving a goal that T-Mobile set for itself. T-Satellite has moved from a narrow emergency communications tool to a platform supporting both everyday consumer apps and the first enterprise-oriented solutions, strengthening T-Mobile’s relevance in direct-to-device and satellite-to-mobile conversations.

Summary Bullets:

• Major telecom companies like Vodafone Germany, T-Mobile US, and Deutsche Telekom are launching distinct 5G network slicing services aimed at business customers, each reflecting unique strategies and market contexts, from Vodafone’s standardized pricing for virtual private campus networks to T-Mobile’s all-in-one premium mobility plan and Deutsche Telekom’s focus on mission-critical services for emergency responders.

• While these launches signify progress in 5G enterprise services, the concept of network slicing is still evolving, with offerings being marketed more as tailored connectivity solutions rather than fully programmable network tools.

The long-promised potential of 5G network slicing—dedicated, virtualized “lanes” in the mobile network—is finally being brought to market in structured offers for business customers. But what exactly is being offered? Vodafone Germany, T-Mobile US, and Deutsche Telekom have all announced distinct slicing propositions in recent weeks, each reflecting a different strategy and market context.

One of the promises of network slicing is that–in theory–it can be used to design an almost limitless number of unique offers based on the feature requirements of individual users and applications. We are still some ways away from dynamic programmability of bespoke network slices on the fly, but even at this early stage of commercialization, each slicing service launch looks completely different from the others. That’s kind of the point, but it could also provoke some head scratching by enterprises trying to understand the concept.

Vodafone Germany has taken perhaps the boldest step towards mainstreaming slicing by publishing standard pricing. Campus Flex Exclusive (EUR2,000/month per location) delivers a virtual private 5G campus network, offering guaranteed uplink and downlink speeds. Campus Flex Starter (EUR10-20 per user/month) is an entry-level, shared slice for light applications like payment terminals or push-to-talk. Vodafone’s use of “Campus Network” branding and positioning is interesting, reflecting its investment in marketing earlier versions of hybrid private 4G and 5G networks leveraging its macro network. The new offers position slicing as a virtual private network alternative, faster and cheaper than deploying a full private network. What’s impressive is the fact that customers can order slices directly from the Vodafone business portal. On the other hand, Vodafone hasn’t detailed service level agreements beyond basic throughput. Transparency on latency, jitter, and other guarantees will be required prior to adoption by more demanding industrial users.

T-Mobile US, meanwhile, is packaging slicing into a broad business mobility plan called SuperMobile, which combines a “nationwide 5G Advanced slice with dynamic, real-time resource optimization” and built-in security (encryption, device authentication, and Threat Protect VPN for smartphones). It also includes T-Satellite, the company’s new satellite-to-mobile service with coverage via more than 650 satellites.

This all-in-one proposition is pitched as a general-purpose premium business solution, not an industrial, mission-critical, or application-specific product. Delta Air Lines and Axis Energy Services are early adopters, showcasing both urban and remote-field use cases.

Unlike Vodafone, T-Mobile has not disclosed pricing, and it remains unclear whether customers can define or request custom quality of service (QoS) parameters per slice (the announcement refers only to data prioritization and latency optimization). That makes the offer more of a broad performance upgrade than a programmable network service.

Deutsche Telekom (DT), by contrast, is going deep into a vertical, announcing slicing-enabled mission-critical broadband services for police, fire, and rescue agencies. Partnering with Motorola Solutions, DT is deploying 3GPP-standard Mission-Critical Services (MCX) protocols, allowing push-to-talk, push-to-video, and prioritized data sharing across LTE, 5G, and traditional radios.

By reserving network capacity through slicing, DT provides emergency responders with a guaranteed “blue light lane” on the network, ensuring reliable communications during congestion. The solution has already been tested with German federal police and proven during the 2024 European Football Championship. Pricing is not disclosed, and the service appears restricted to the public sector. It’s not yet clear whether DT intends to extend MCX-style slicing to commercial industries with critical communications needs.

These three very different commercial launches represent progress in 5G enterprise services, but are we seeing network slicing go mainstream?

Rather than seeing an enterprise “network slicing market” emerge, what is more likely to appear in the near-term are even more examples of market, vertical, or application-specific offerings that benefit in part from network slicing functionality, but which avoid the hype of telecom technology vendors in favor of communicating with business customers in their own language.

Slicing is moving beyond pilots, but its mainstream role remains in flux. Today, it is being marketed less as a programmable network tool and more (as seen in these recent launches) as a value-added connectivity layer, tailored either for specific industries (DT), standardized private network substitutes (Vodafone), or premium broad-market plans (T-Mobile). The key question for the next phase: Will operators empower customers with true programmability and SLAs—or keep slicing as a behind-the-scenes enhancement bundled into premium plans?

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Summary Bullets:

• Global telcos are advancing industrial IoT with AI, 5G, and eSIM to deliversector-specific and real-time solutions at global scale.

• Strategic investments continue the shift beyond basic connectivity to intelligent, global platforms supporting logistics, energy, mobility, and public safety.

Over H1 2025, major telecom providers have redoubled their push into industrial IoT, developing tailored solutions that move well beyond connectivity to address the specific needs of sectors and use cases such as transport, utilities, and facilities management. Common threads across these efforts include the integration of AI, the evolution of connectivity through 5G, eSIM, and satellite, and a growing emphasis on real-time visibility, operational efficiency, and international scalability.

One way this evolution is evident is the way telcos are turning global networks into intelligent, responsive infrastructure. Vodafone is leveraging its infrastructure for use cases like flood detection, using its Network as a Sensor technology to monitor rainfall and provide early warnings–highlighting how IoT is being adapted to address environmental risks in addition to industrial efficiency. Vodafone also recently surpassed a milestone of 200 million connected IoT devices globally, doubling its installed base over five years. It continues to push into new regions, recently expanding coverage in the Middle East via a partnership with Mobily in Saudi Arabia.

In Germany, Deutsche Telekom is developing several new applications, from its work with Swift Navigation to expand precise satellite positioning across Eastern Europe, to residential energy efficiency projects. The operator is digitalizing heating systems for public housing in partnership with Metr, using smart IoT gateways and secure cloud hosting via Open Telekom Cloud. In parallel, Deutsche Telekom and Nordic Semiconductor launched MECC, a new embedded connectivity service designed to simplify global cellular integration for connected products.

Telefónica Tech is moving IoT deeper into industrial environments through automation and AI. Its recent collaboration with Dexory aims to automate warehouse inventory tracking using AI-driven digital twins and Telefónica’s industrial IoT integration capabilities–a good example of how telcos are embedding intelligence directly into logistics operations. Meanwhile, Orange Business has taken a different angle on public safety, unveiling a smart emergency services system as part of the Software République initiative. Designed in collaboration with firefighter units, the solution combines AI, sensors, and secure communications to improve situational awareness and response coordination in crisis scenarios.

While Verizon has made several announcements this year with new solutions like Edge Transportation Exchange for V2X, Sensor Insights, and 5G Video Insights, it also expanded its Global IoT Orchestration platform, adding Singtel and Skylo for Asia-Pacific and non-terrestrial connectivity respectively. Other telcos are also investing further in global reach, as well as expanded cellular reach within territories. AT&T, for instance, is enhancing its IoT footprint through a new global eSIM solution and support for 5G RedCap. T-Mobile, working with Thales and SIMPL IoT, is integrating eSIMs into global product deployments, while also enabling managed connectivity for international devices targeting the U.S. market. In parallel, Singtel recently announced an enhanced Multi-Domestic Connectivity solution in partnership with cloud-native provider floLIVE, offering enterprises a single, secure, and scalable platform to manage global IoT deployments across more than 190 markets–also enabled by eSIM orchestration.

Three key themes are evident so far this year. First, telcos are responding to strong demand for vertical-specific solutions, although horizontal platforms still matter. Second, AI and real-time data analytics are no longer just add-ons–they are essential to deriving business value from IoT. And third, cross-border IoT is becoming more manageable thanks to advances in eSIM orchestration, global roaming partnerships, and the addition of satellite integration with cellular networks for hard-to-reach locations.

As a whole, these recent announcements demonstrate that industrial IoT remains a strategic priority for global telecom operators that already have a stake in the market. The focus is no longer just on connecting machines–it is on optimizing how those machines work in context, at scale (increasingly globally), and in near-real time.

Summary Bullets:

• The Internet of Things (IoT) services landscape continues to evolve with global connectivity service and solution providers announcing notable advancements and initiatives over the past several months.

• Key trends include the expansion of 5G capabilities, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and network application programming interfaces (APIs), and a strong emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency.

GlobalData recently published its product assessment of 10 global IoT service providers and an accompanying competitive landscape report as well as an update to its Global Market Opportunity Forecasts to 2028: Enterprise IoT Market model. This blog focuses on key themes among new initiatives and service launches during H1 2024.

5G and Connectivity Enhancements
Potentially one of the more impactful trends is the ongoing expansion and enhancement of 5G networks, which can enable a variety of IoT use cases. AT&T, for example, has made substantial investments in the AT&T FirstNet public safety network, introducing 5G standalone capabilities to enhance voice, data, and video communications for first responders. This underscores the critical role of 5G in enabling advanced IoT applications such as high-definition video transmission during emergency operations and enhanced situational awareness through IoT data and real-time video analytics.

T-Mobile has also added support for its 5G standalone network to the T-Mobile Control Center platform, enabling advanced services like network slicing and quality on demand. This rollout is expected to significantly boost IoT deployments and critical applications across various sectors. Similarly, Deutsche Telekom’s launch (along with Tele2) of resilient SIM (rSIM) technology highlights the importance of robust and reliable connectivity for IoT devices, ensuring seamless operation even in the event of network disruptions.

AI and API Integration
Other initiatives have been launched in 2024 involving the further integration of AI – and APIs – into IoT solutions. AT&T’s new platform providing APIs to developers allows businesses to enhance their IoT applications with greater intelligence and capability, potentially enabling the creation of more sophisticated solutions for connected cars, infrastructure, home automation, and health devices. While several of its peers announced support for network APIs months before AT&T, few had highlighted IoT as a key focus of their initiatives.

Telefónica Tech’s ‘Internet of Drones’ solution exemplifies the combination of AI with IoT in enhancing urban mobility and logistics. By leveraging 5G and private network connectivity, the solution aims to ensure compliance with air traffic regulations and improve collision prevention and emergency response capabilities.

Focus on Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Sustainability and energy efficiency are now crucial focal points for IoT service providers. Orange Business has been particularly active in this area recently, launching its ‘Control’ platform to enhance building management systems and reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints. Additionally, the Orange Flux Vision platform now includes new indicators that measure the carbon footprint of people and goods’ movement, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging IoT for environmental benefits.

The AT&T Connected Climate Initiative, which aims to reduce one gigaton of emissions by 2035, is another example of how IoT solutions are being used to address climate challenges. This initiative brings together various collaborators to innovate and implement IoT, 5G, and edge computing solutions that contribute to emissions reduction.

Strategic Partnerships and Industry Collaboration
New industry collaborations during recent months include Vodafone’s strategic partnership with Microsoft, aimed at co-developing – and potentially investing in – Vodafone’s IoT business, recently spun-off as a standalone entity. This collaboration is expected to expand Vodafone’s reach and enhance platform performance, highlighting the benefits of combining strengths from different industry leaders.

Meanwhile, Tata Communications’ expansion in the US market through its digital fabric platform and the introduction of the Tata Communications CloudLyte edge computing platform will bolster its IoT offerings and enhance its global presence as an IoT MVNO, an integrator, and a managed services provider. Both initiatives underscore the increasing importance of strategic partnerships and the role they play in driving IoT innovation (as well as potential growth for each partner).

These latest announcements from global IoT connectivity service providers underscore a few key trends that GlobalData has been monitoring for some time: the rapid expansion of 5G and network capabilities, the integration of advanced analytics and AI, a strong focus on sustainability, and the strategic importance of partnerships and collaborations. Not all providers move at the same pace in embracing these trends, but these developments highlight the dynamic nature of the IoT market and the continuous investment in innovation that is driving (and capturing) its growth.