Born Connected: Shaping Tomorrow’s Mobile and IoT Landscape

The Internet now belongs to billions, reshaping how we perceive the world. Rapid advances in technology, coupled with the pervasive reach of social media, mobile devices, and the cloud, mean that anyone born after 2000 has grown up in a truly connected environment.

But connectivity extends beyond people. Ericsson predicts that by 2028, the global count of connected devices will reach 28 billion, driven largely by the Internet of Things (IoT). From activity trackers to smart homes, connected cars, and intelligent street lights, our surroundings are becoming an integrated digital ecosystem, according to Anthony Bartolo, President of Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services at Tata Communications.

The true potential lies in how these devices interconnect.

Imagine a world where connectivity is embedded in everything, delivering seamless, ubiquitous Internet access worldwide. That is the vision Tata Communications is pursuing: a future where every device is born connected, ready to engage instantly from the moment it powers on.

Born Connected, Born with Limitless Possibilities

While it may echo the cinematic world of The Matrix, the reality of 28 billion devices communicating flawlessly opens boundless opportunities for consumers and enterprises alike.

Start‑ups such as Uber, Airbnb, and Deliveroo illustrate how IoT empowers individuals to reshape interactions and create new value. Gartner urges CIOs to move beyond commoditized IT and cultivate digital capabilities that unlock diverse business potentials.

UPS exemplifies this shift. By deploying vehicle‑borne IoT sensors linked to robust data platforms across its distribution network, UPS optimizes vehicle speed for fuel efficiency, reroutes based on real‑time GPS, and reduces its carbon footprint—all while cutting operating costs.

The Mobile Platform and Digital Transformation

Gartner notes that in the journey toward digital transformation, CEOs steer the course while CIOs serve as co‑pilots.

Many organizations begin this journey with mobility, aiming to boost employee productivity and agility. Current estimates suggest that up to 45 % of enterprise staff can now work ‘anytime, anywhere.’

For multinational enterprises spanning multiple continents, a mobile‑platform strategy is essential. With the right foundation, corporate applications can be accessed securely and seamlessly across devices, regardless of location or network, eliminating costly data roaming.

Beyond connectivity, the mobile platform fuels the next wave of IoT innovations, enabling automotive manufacturers and other sectors to break geographical and network barriers and pioneer new business models.

Think Mobile, Be Mobile

Realizing the full value of a mobile‑platform economy requires a mindset shift. Mobility should be treated on par with the World Wide Web and the cloud, offering borderless access to applications, content, and services.

This premise underpins our mobile platform, built on 15 years of experience connecting businesses and people worldwide.

It will enable truly global enterprise mobility and serve as a powerful revenue engine for mobile and IoT service providers and device makers. By combining IoT, mobile ecosystem partnerships, and ubiquitous connectivity, we unlock unprecedented ways for brands and businesses to engage customers and for people to interact with their environment.

In an era where tens of billions of devices will be born connected, this platform becomes the engine of the next generation of mobile and IoT services.

The author of this blog is Anthony Bartolo, president, Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services, Tata Communications