As part of CRN’s 2024 Internet Of Things 50 list, here are the 10 coolest IoT networking connectivity companies that are offering innovative connectivity options to help devices connect to networks, communicate, and share their valuable data to various business systems.

Global IoT spending is expected to continue growing for the years to come, and that means good news for those who are in the business of connecting devices to a variety of network types.

According to research firm IoT Analytics, “the number of global IoT connections grew by 18 percent in 2022 to 14.3 billion active IoT endpoints,” and it was expected to grow an additional 16 percent to 16.7 billion active endpoints by the end of last year.

This growth is expected for “many years to come,” the firm said in a report from last year.

According to one executive at an IoT-focused solution provider, one source of growth for IoT connections are old industrial computers and systems, things like programmable logic controllers that are used for automating manufacturing workflows.

“Where I still see a lot of work and a lot of effort and a lot of focus is connecting brownfield assets to the cloud,” said Joseph Zaloker, head of business development and global alliances at Miami, Fla.-based solution provider Klika Tech.

For the 2024 Internet of Things 50, CRN picked the coolest and most noteworthy vendors are innovating and making big moves within the networking and connectivity space. What follows are descriptions of each company, which range from Aeris and AT&T to Vodafone and HPE Aruba.

Aeris

Marc Jones

Chairman, President, CEO

Businesses with complex global cellular deployments are the target audience of Aeris’ brand of secure IoT software offerings. The San Jose, Calif.-based company’s specialties include connected vehicles and smart monitoring of energy assets, but it positions its platform as a way to reduce supply chain costs and operational complexity through connectivity management and security controls.

AT&T

John Stankey

CEO

AT&T has been opening up its network through APIs, allowing developers to access more capabilities with less network expertise and the ability to layer more intelligence on top of streetlights, automation tools, security devices and other wares. The Dallas-based telecommunications giant also has worked on expanding 5G use in areas such as public safety with FirstNet Authority and wellness monitoring with its Navigil partnership.

Cisco Systems

Chuck Robbins

Chair, CEO

Cisco’s work on advancing IoT extends from cars to manufacturing and more, partnering with companies including Telus and Dish Wire­less to increase 5G access and rolling out new offerings to improve device management. One of those new offerings coming this summer from the San Jose, Calif.-based networking giant is the Constrained Application Protocol Simple Management Protocol, which will be publicly available with a fully functional device agent and companion release of Cisco Field Network Director.

Comcast Business

Ed Zimmermann

President

Some of Comcast’s biggest recent IoT advancements come from its MachineQ business unit, which has launched offerings aimed at the hospitality industry and asset utilization. The Philadelphia-based telecommunications powerhouse and its MachineQ unit have marketed the hospitality offerings as ways to manage early water leak detection and bedbug and pest control. The asset utilization offering aimed at life sciences companies can help with gauging frequency of lab equipment use for environmental and cost savings.

Eseye

Nick Earle

Chairman, CEO

Fleets of trucks, cargo and supply chain logistics are just some use cases for this end-to-end IoT provider. Guildford, U.K.-based Eseye says its SIM users can switch connectivity among multiple networks to get near-100-percent reliability. And the company’s Infinity IoT connectivity management platform aims to simplify SIM control, network switching, visibility and reporting.

HPE Aruba Networking

Phil Mottram

EVP, GM

The Edge Services Platform from HPE Aruba Networking seeks to unify IT operations across IoT networks as well as data centers, branches, campuses and other environments—with options for orchestrating in the cloud or on-premises. The San Jose, Calif.- based company recently unveiled the Aruba Instant On AP22D Wi-Fi 6 access point and Aruba Instant On 1960 stackable switch with 2.5-GB port capacity to improve IoT device network per­formance for SMBs.

Perle Systems

Joe Perle

Founder, CEO

Perle Systems has expanded opportunities for its switches through its new IDS-710CT industrial managed Ethernet switches with fiber and IDS-100HP Power over Ethernet switches. The Markham, Ontario-based company positions its IDS-710CT switches as with­standing extreme temperatures, surges, vibration and shock in small spaces. The IDS-100HP supports pan-tilt-zoom cameras and other devices that take a lot of power while leveraging features to prevent packet loss and manage resource efficiency.

Soracom

Ken Tamagawa

Founder, CEO

Soracom promises automatic connection across multiple carriers with its offerings, allowing connected devices more options for failover during service outages or drops. The vendor, with U.S. headquarters in Bellevue, Wash., continues to expand its partner ecosystem, inking recent deals with Suzuki and UScellular to expand IoT collaboration.

Verizon

Hans Vestberg

Chairman, CEO

Fleet management, connected commerce and smart cities are just some of the use cases for this telecommunications giant’s IoT platforms. The New York-based company’s advancements in the space include the introduction of a global wireless IoT platform for managing devices across international borders from a central location, with native connection through an embedded subscriber identity module and roaming capabilities.

Vodafone

Margherita Della Valle

Group CEO

Vodafone connects more than 150 million devices worldwide through Narrowband IoT, Cellular Vehicle To Everything and other standout network technologies. The Berkshire, U.K.-based company this year unveiled its HyperRealityHub extended reality glasses and signed a 10-year partnership with Microsoft to spread the use of IoT, generative AI, cloud and other technolo­gies worldwide.