Even more things will be connected to the internet

Market watcher delves into characteristics of expanding web of connections

IT and telecoms tracker Idate has confirmed the ongoing expansion of the so-called Internet of Things.

The market watcher and thinktank's latest report on the phenomenon suggests that 15 billion different things including machines, connected devices and other objects were online last year, up from 2010's four billion.

It is projecting that 80 billion things will be internet-connected by 2020.

"In 2020, there will be 80 billion, where the Internet of Objects (IoO) will represent 85 per cent of the total Internet of Things, ahead of communicating devices with 11 per cent, and M2M with only four per cent," according to Idate analyst and project leader Samuel Robert.

"In terms of growth, IoO still leads with a 41 per cent CAGR between 2010 and 2020, followed by communicating devices with 22 per cent CAGR and M2M with 16 per cent CAGR."

The aim of the report was to begin to outline the frontiers of the market, which it believes holds considerable opportunity for the IT industry. It looked at the market's foundation and structure, player strategies and key vertical dynamics.

Vertical markets, including aeronautics, healthcare, automotive manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, will be the key drivers when it comes to connecting more and more things to the internet – although RoI remains critical.

Pharmaceuticals and the textile industry will be the main drivers of the IoO subset, according to Idate.