The Internet of Things will replace mobile phones as most connected device in 2018

Internet of thing sensors and device are expected to exceed mobile phone as the largest category of connected devices in 2018. Growing at a 23% compound annual growth rate from 2015 to 2021 according to an Ericsson report.

Internet of things (IOT) sensors and devices are expected to exceed mobile phones as the largest category of connected devices in 2018, growing at a 23% compound annual growth (CAGR) from 2015 to 2021.

By 2021 there will be 9B mobile subscriptions, 7.7B mobile broadband subscriptions, and 6.3B smartphone subscriptions. Worldwide smartphone subscription will grow at a 10.6% CAGR from 2015 to 2012 with Asia/Pacific (APAC) gaining 1.7B new subscribers alone.

These and insight are from the 2016 Ericsson mobility report (PDF, no opt-in). Ericcson has provided a summary of the findings and a series of interactive graphics here. Ericsson created the subscription and traffic forecast baseline this analysis is based on using historical data from a variety of internal and external sources. Ericsson also validated trending analysis through the use of their planning models. Future development is estimated based on macro economic trends, user trends (researched by Ericsson Consumer Lab), market maturity, technology development expectations and documents such as industry analyst reports, on a national or regional level, together with internal assumptions and analysis.

Internet of things (IOT) sensors and devices are expected to exceed mobile phones at largest category of connected devices in 2018, 23% compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2015 to 2021). Ericsson predicts there will a total approximately 28B connected devices worldwide by 2021, With nearly 16B related to IOT. The following graphic compares cellular IOT, non cellular IOT pc, laptops and tablets mobile phones, and fixed phones connected devices growth from 2015 to 2021.

Global mobile broadband subscriptions will reach 7.7B by 2021, accounting for 85% of all subscriptions. Ericsson is predicating there will be a 9B mobile 7.7B internet user by coming flow year of 2021. and 6.3B smartphone subscriptions by 2021 as well.