Building a Robust Packet Core for the IoT Revolution

Robin Kent, Director of European Operations at Adax, discusses how the Internet of Things is poised to transform everyday life, yet the market’s growth remains uneven.

While manufacturers push IoT devices, infrastructure readiness lags. A recent industry report revealed that 86% of service providers admit they are not yet prepared for IoT, and only a handful have made tangible progress.

Despite this slow uptake, IoT is set to reshape the telecoms industry. From connected homes and vehicles to healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and retail, the demand for continuous, reliable digital communication is unmistakable.

Reliability will be critical for the IoT boom. 5G can support the vast number of connections, but without the right solutions and network infrastructure, performance and reliability may suffer.

The sheer scale of IoT adoption poses a major challenge for operators. Experts believe that operators can unlock IoT’s full potential, but speed is essential. A key hurdle is the protocols that enable IoT applications.

Core Network Capacity?

To fully realize IoT’s promise, operators must maintain ample core‑network capacity and manage connections without bottlenecks. Traditional GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP) solutions handle up to 25‑30,000 Packet Data Protocol (PDP) contexts per application, but the industry now needs to support millions.

Operators should adopt a GTP solution that accelerates data paths and removes bottlenecks, enhancing traffic capacity. This approach boosts performance, improves QoS and QoE, and ensures efficient bandwidth use.

Operators must also accommodate varying service requirements across applications. When device numbers surge, both signalling and data planes rely on robust GTP‑U performance. Low‑latency tolerance hinges on a strong control plane, requiring efficient GTP‑C and effective SCTP.

Not Forgetting Security

IoT introduces additional security demands due to endpoint devices and high service criticality. High device volumes expose networks to signalling storms and targeted denial‑of‑service attacks, undermining device reliability and user experience.

To address these threats, operators should follow the GSMA’s IoT Security Guidelines for Network Operators. The guidelines cover identification, authentication, access control, data protection, and processes to ensure resource availability and resilience against attacks.

IoT’s continued growth means operators must tackle capacity and security now, or risk falling behind competitors who deliver the high‑level service consumers expect in a connected world. A cost‑effective, scalable packet core, coupled with proactive protocols, will enable operators to maintain reliable performance as device counts rise.