Cisco’s strategy in the IoT Connectivity Management Platform (CMP) market builds on its dominant position and aims to address evolving market dynamics and technological advancements.
Below is an outline of the key elements of Cisco’s strategy, according to Berg Insights.
Leadership and Scale
Cisco IoT Control Center is the largest IoT CMP globally, managing 262 million SIMs across 60 mobile operator partners by the end of 2024.
Cisco took over the loss-making IoT business of Ericsson in early 2023. This strong footprint enables Cisco to leverage scale economies and maintain a competitive advantage.
Focus on Partnering with Mobile Operators
Cisco collaborates extensively with mobile operators, enabling them to support enterprise IoT deployments efficiently.
By delivering robust functionality — such as provisioning, subscription management, and cost monitoring — Cisco strengthens its relationships with mobile operators, positioning itself as a trusted technology provider.
Investing in Emerging Capabilities
Cisco actively integrates cutting-edge technologies to address market challenges like declining ARPUs and complex connectivity needs:
eSIM Management: Enhancing remote SIM provisioning (RSP) and eSIM orchestration to support seamless connectivity transitions.
5G and Programmable Networks: Leveraging 5G SA (Standalone) capabilities to deliver more advanced programmable network solutions.
Analytics and AI: Incorporating machine learning-driven analytics to improve operational insights and enhance service delivery.
Security Services: Strengthening IoT security to address enterprise concerns about data privacy and network integrity.
Adapting to Market Dynamics
Cisco recognizes the evolving nature of the IoT CMP market, driven by declining connectivity revenues and increased demand for value-added services.
It has introduced tiered product offerings that align with diverse enterprise needs and budgets.
Integration and Ecosystem Development
The company focuses on platform integrations to expand its ecosystem and enhance cross-platform operability:
Partnerships with other CMP vendors to address connectivity management orchestration (CMO) requirements.
Support for API-driven integrations with adjacent systems to provide holistic solutions for enterprises.
Regional Strategy
Cisco’s market penetration is particularly strong outside China, where third-party CMPs manage a substantial share (31 percent) of IoT SIMs. This strategic emphasis ensures Cisco remains competitive in high-growth, high-potential regions.
Competing Through Differentiation
Cisco differentiates itself by offering a comprehensive and scalable IoT CMP that supports a broad array of IoT use cases across industries.
Its investments in technology modernization, multi-tenancy features, and private APN solutions further enhance its value proposition for enterprises and operators.
Sustainability and Future Growth
With IoT CMP market revenues projected to grow at a CAGR of 12 percent to reach US$ 1.8 billion by 2029, Cisco is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this growth through continuous innovation, operational efficiency, and strategic partnerships.
By combining its robust platform capabilities, expansive operator partnerships, and focus on emerging technologies, Cisco aims to maintain its leadership in the IoT CMP market while driving the adoption of new connectivity and management solutions in an increasingly complex IoT ecosystem.
Who are the other IoT CMP vendors?
Aeris ranks as the second-largest IoT CMP vendor, managing 84 million connected devices across 28 mobile operator partners. Following its acquisition of Ericsson’s IoT business in early 2023, Aeris streamlined operations by merging its legacy platform with Ericsson’s IoT Accelerator into a unified solution.
MAVOCO has emerged as a significant player in the market, offering a cloud- and core-agnostic IoT CMP that allows mobile operators to use existing infrastructure for cost-effective solutions. The company had partnerships with more than 10 mobile operators by the end of 2024. Other notable vendors include Comarch, Nokia, and Vodafone, which provide IoT CMPs as part of their broader service offerings. Specialized providers such as 1NCE, 1oT, emnify, Eseye, and floLIVE also contribute by offering tailored IoT CMP solutions and acting as technology providers for mobile operators and IoT MVNOs.
The emergence of connectivity management orchestration (CMO) platforms has added another layer to the market. Vendors like IoTM Solutions and Simetric lead this category by integrating with IoT CMPs through APIs to provide enhanced orchestration and management capabilities. For example, AT&T collaborated with Simetric to launch the IoT Console Single Pane of Glass in late 2024. Adjacent solution providers, such as Enea, offer complementary products like IoT CCS services that enable multi-tenant, private APN solutions for enterprises, working in concert with existing IoT CMPs.
The eSIM space has also influenced the IoT CMP market as adoption grows. Established players like Thales, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), and IDEMIA are expanding their offerings to include IoT-focused eSIM solutions. New entrants such as Kigen, Redtea Mobile, and Monty Mobile, previously active in the consumer eSIM market, are also addressing IoT needs. These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the IoT CMP market as vendors adapt to technological advancements, evolving customer demands, and the opportunities presented by 5G, eSIM, and advanced analytics solutions.
Rajani Baburajan
