What’s Next for APIs, Enterprise IoT, and Travel eSIMs? – The Fast Mode

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It’s a true statement every year – the world is becoming more digitized. This affects how people live their lives, and how businesses interact and engage with consumers. Telecoms, once the backbone of enterprise communications, is continuously being forced to adapt. 
With the surge of instant messaging apps and software-based services (to name two), the gap between traditional telecom providers and the evolving needs of modern businesses and consumers continue to widen. In the world of technology, being labelled traditional often signals falling behind, and stagnating revenues in the Telecoms industry would agree. But it’s not all doom and gloom -Telecoms is evolving and thriving. Let’s explore three key trends set to drive global telecom growth in 2025.
#1: Bridging the gap between enterprise and telecoms
When working with businesses, a key reason for the slowdown of telco revenue compared to hyperscalers or SaaS models is the complexity of accessing and implementing telco services. While Telcos have unmatched infrastructure (the others wouldn’t exist without it), their services often lack the agility required in a software-driven, digital world, making integration of telecom services cumbersome. 
This is where telecom APIs come in. These software interfaces allow developers to seamlessly integrate telecom services like identity management or verification with just a few clicks. APIs are also fuelling the impressive growth of CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service), which is also driven by APIs. 
The potential here is huge. According to McKinsey, the network API market could unlock an estimated $100 billion to $300 billion in revenue for Telco operators over the next five to seven years. With APIs, businesses gain frictionless access to telecom services such as identity verification, location tracking, and on-demand quality coverage.
Despite this promise, some scepticism remains. Critics worry that telecom APIs could follow a path similar to 5G: overhyped and underdelivered. However, all signs point to a meaningful shift in 2025, with standardization efforts like the GSMA’s Open Gateway making API integration more accessible. Additionally, the rise of ‘API integrators’, companies that serve as marketplaces for telecom APIs, will provide businesses with simplified access point for global connectivity services while helping operators engage directly with enterprises.

#2: Unlocking enterprise IoT
Away from business-to-customer communications, industries are increasingly investing in the IoT to connect machines to other machines. This has been steadily increasing but is now ramping up. According to Statista, the number of IoT devices worldwide is projected to nearly double from 15.9 billion in 2023 to over 32.1 billion by 2030. 
However, one technology that promised to make a big impact in the IoT space has struggled to reach its potential – the eSIM. While eSIM technology has existed since 2014, enterprise IoT adoption has lagged behind the consumer market due to the complexity of provisioning and managing eSIMs. 
But change is on the horizon. In 2025, the introduction of the SGP.32 standard from the GSMA will standardize eSIM deployments. The consumer market has benefited from its own version of the standard (SGP.22) for years – driving widespread adoption in devices like smartphones.SGP.32 will finally bring much needed standardization to enterprise eSIM solutions. This new standard will establish clear definitions of three key roles in the ecosystem: the network operator, the reseller, and the eSIM orchestrator, setting the stage for streamlined deployments and greater scalability across IoT applications.
While companies have unofficially occupied this role, standardizing this will support the growth of the IoT ecosystem and give businesses more confidence to deploy eSIMs. However, educating the market will be crucial. The eSIM is ready to drive global IoT expansion, the question is now: are businesses ready to embrace the eSIM?  

#3: The travel eSIM boom
That’s not the only eSIM story you can expect to see this year. Aside from connecting machines and systems, the eSIM also makes it far easier for people to stay connected. eSIM availability in consumer smartphones is steadily increasing. 
The GSMA predicts that by 2028, half of all smartphone connections will use eSIM technology. Awareness has already doubled over the past three years, with 50% of consumers now familiar with the technology.
New use consumer use cases for eSIMs will drive much of this growth. Chief amongst these is the ‘travel eSIM’. These allow users with eSIM-enabled smartphones to purchase connectivity in virtually any country, often at a lower cost than traditional roaming. The Global Travel eSIM Market is expected to surge from $2 billion in 2024 to approximately $260 billion by 2034.
This trend is not just significant for consumers. On a commercial level, what makes travel eSIM offerings so unique is how easy they are to launch. Unlike traditional telecom services, consumer brands can launch travel eSIM offerings without prior telecom experience or infrastructure.
This ‘democratization’ of connectivity is fuelling intense competition, with major consumer brands, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and travel eSIM enablers vying for market dominance. While 2024 saw the first wave of travel eSIM launches, 2025 will be the year in which key players begin to pull ahead.
In 2025, the line between personal and enterprise communications will blur even further. Consumers will increasingly demand seamless, engaging interactions with businesses as they do in personal interactions. To meet these expectations and stay ahead on the curve, companies will increasingly leverage telecom APIs to enhance connectivity and service integration. This shift not only enhances customer experiences but could also help address the telecom industry’s ongoing profitability challenges by opening doors to new revenue streams and operational efficiencies.
The year 2025 will also be the year of the eSIM. In the industrial and supply chain space, in particular, eSIM technology will help continue to expand global IoT. While on the consumer side, travel eSIMs will make international travel far simpler, while also prompting a commercial race to create offerings and capture market share in this brand-new space. 
 
The views expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not represent The Fast Mode. While information provided in this post is obtained from sources believed by The Fast Mode to be reliable, The Fast Mode is not liable for any losses or damages arising from any information limitations, changes, inaccuracies, misrepresentations, omissions or errors contained therein. The heading is for ease of reference and shall not be deemed to influence the information presented.

Gabriel is Head of Customer Solutions & Presales at BICS, a leading global wholesale carrier in the Telecom industry. With more than 15 years of experience in the Hardware, Software, and Telecommunications Industries, Gabriel has held different leadership positions across business strategy and development (e.g., Business Development Director, Enterprise Sales Manager, and now Head of Customer Solutions and presales) that have allowed him to understand the various aspects of the business and its challenges. Gabriel’s previous experience has allowed him to develop a rich knowledge in Industrial IoT, Cloud Computing, Connectivity(MVNO/E) and Cellular Technologies (5G, LTE, Private 4G/5G and LPWA).
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