Fundamentals

What is IoT (Internet of Things)?

Short answer

IoT (Internet of Things) is the network of physical devices — sensors, machines, vehicles, appliances — that connect to the Internet to send data and receive commands autonomously, without direct human intervention. Each device has a unique identity, a connection (usually cellular, LoRa, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth), and a platform where its data is processed.

The three components that are always there

Behind any IoT deployment sit three pieces. A device with sensors or actuators. A connection that carries data to the cloud — in most industrial projects this is a cellular IoT SIM, for coverage and reliability. And a platform that stores, processes, and surfaces the data, typically with automated rules that trigger actions.

Real-world IoT examples today

Not science fiction; these are businesses running right now. Water meters that flag leaks. Vending machines that auto-order restocks. Fleets reporting consumption and location by the minute. Portable POS terminals taking card payments on the beach. Agricultural sensors watering based on soil moisture. Same pattern everywhere: cheap hardware, reliable connectivity, actionable data.

Energy and water metering
Asset and fleet tracking
Mobile payment terminals
Precision agriculture
Remote video surveillance

How to start without making the classic mistakes

Two most common errors: underestimating connectivity (buying cheap SIMs that lose signal where it matters) and oversizing the platform (paying for a cloud that costs more than the hardware). The right order: first, a 10–50 unit pilot; second, a connectivity contract with proven real coverage; third, scaling and a robust platform.

Tailored offer

Evaluating an IoT project?

Book a 30-minute session with an engineer to validate your use case, size country-by-country coverage, and estimate realistic connectivity cost. No commitment.

Frequently asked questions

Is IoT the same as M2M?+

M2M is the precursor: machine-to-machine communication, usually point-to-point, with no analytics platform. IoT adds a cloud data and automation layer. Technically, every modern IoT deployment is still M2M at its base, just with more intelligence on top.

How much does an IoT device cost?+

Hardware ranges from €15 (a simple LoRa sensor) to over €500 (an industrial tracker with LTE-M, GPS, and long battery). Connectivity typically adds €1–5/month per device, depending on traffic and required coverage.

Do I need developers to deploy IoT?+

For small pilots, no. Many vertical platforms (metering, fleet) come turnkey. For integrations with your ERP or non-standard cases, yes — but the SIM connectivity side is managed by the provider.