---
title: Smarter Steering. Stronger IoT.
description: Discover how IoT roaming, driven by advanced steering and 5G, is transforming global connectivity for MNOs and MVNOs, while enhancing service delivery.
image: https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/IoT%20Seering%20202505.jpg
---

[Insights](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights-page)**[Blog](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights-page?type=blog)**Smarter Steering. Stronger IoT.

## Smarter Steering. Stronger IoT.

IPN IoT 5G

May 5, 2025

Dimitris Zoulis, COSMOTE’s Project Manager for Roaming Services and International Synergies, talks to Daniella Torres about how VoLTE, IoT, and 5G will impact the telecoms industry.

![](https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/IoT%20Seering%20202505.jpg)

In today’s blog, we will discuss why the Steering of Roaming (SoR) is becoming increasingly relevant in the expanding Internet of Things (IoT) roaming market. This topic is exciting for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Mobile Virtual Network Operators or Enablers (MVNOs and MVNEs), who play a crucial role in enabling seamless IoT roaming connectivity and shaping the delivery value chain.

With IoT emerging as a truly global industry, roaming is a fundamental component of IoT service delivery. According to Kaleido Intelligence, the number of cellular IoT roaming connections is projected to reach 18% of the total cellular IoT base by 2030. The share of IoT traffic in roaming is expanding rapidly, particularly across logistics and automotive sectors, where devices often operate across borders. This varies from container trackers with minimal data and signaling usage to healthcare devices for which the QoS is critical.

In response, major operators have been pursuing new wholesale revenue opportunities. These include developing IoT-specific roaming agreements with partners, shifting from traditional volume-based models to network access charges, and investing in new technologies such as 5G deployments and remote IMSI provisioning. These initiatives have created new profit streams and reinforced operators’ positions in the evolving IoT ecosystem.

#### Profile Management

There is a common misconception that IoT eSIMs function like consumer eSIMs — they do not. A subscriber can easily download an eSIM or a travel eSIM via a QR code or an app. In contrast, IoT eSIMs require pre-established agreements with the visited network operator, involving commercial negotiations and technical integrations for profile enablement and management. Because of this complexity, many operators provision profiles in bulk before devices are shipped. For example, connected vehicles often come preloaded with a list of preferred networks covering specific countries or regions. Even when devices support multiple operator profiles or multi-IMSI setups, operators still depend on remote profile management to activate or update those profiles as needed.

#### Micro-Segmentation

While there are similarities, IoT differs fundamentally from the traditional consumer mobile market. Historically, operators segmented their retail offerings into a few broad categories, such as prepaid, postpaid, and corporate. In contrast, IoT market segmentation is far more granular, often extending beyond vertical industries to individual enterprise levels or specific use cases. Sometimes, segmentation is based on simple parameters, such as ranges of IMSIs or dedicated Access Point Name (APN) gateways. In more advanced scenarios, it can depend on dynamic network attributes, such as real-time Quality of Service (QoS) metrics. The sheer potential for differentiation means operators could manage hundreds or even thousands of unique profiles. As a result, scalability in both operational processes and technical infrastructure becomes a fundamental requirement for success in IoT roaming.

TOMIA’s Intelligent Preferred Network ([IPN](https://tomiaglobal.com/steering-of-roaming)) offers MNOs, MVNOs, and MVNEs the most comprehensive feature set to ensure reliable, scalable, and automated IoT connectivity worldwide. IPN enables seamless global connectivity for all network generations, from 2G to 5G SA, with flexible configuration options, including steering distribution management, dynamic Preferred Network Lists (PNLs), service blocking/barring, data throttling, and more. Its advanced micro-segmentation capability supports unlimited business rules based on device profile data, IMSI ranges, APN configurations, network access technologies, and other criteria.

Unlock the full potential of IoT roaming. Contact us to schedule a demo.

[![Contact Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25897194/interactive-86660159944.png) ](https://tomiaglobal.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLby46c5D9ZM1iudXvbK3q8ITmTLHPyFVbQ8yGXnrTgV6F5u5y4Or4vClO4Mtr494SmnXUKpiziPQWvH%2FJzsRaRl4y8a%2BArnUhJtw24aW58gSbxKMhTqZVMdMAOnNA8s3Md2KM%2FaVamgWQvr2%2FuxNTQJXQQY61wQPVyN1IjXSw2%2FxvzRw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=86660159944&portalId=25897194)

## Related Resources

[![](https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/Awards/MEFFYS%202025.jpg) ](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/meffys-2025-connectivity-wholesale-award-goes-to-tomia)

Press Release 

March 7, 2025

#### [MEFFYS 2025 Connectivity & Wholesale Award Goes to TOMIA](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/meffys-2025-connectivity-wholesale-award-goes-to-tomia)

[Read more**](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/meffys-2025-connectivity-wholesale-award-goes-to-tomia)

[![](https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/Webinars/2024%20IPN%20Adaptive%20Steering/SoR%20Webinar%20Thumbnail.jpg) ](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/steering-of-roaming-prioritizing-quality-assurance-in-the-5g-era)

Webinars & Podcasts 

October 30, 2024

#### [Steering of Roaming: Prioritizing Quality Assurance in the 5G Era](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/steering-of-roaming-prioritizing-quality-assurance-in-the-5g-era)

[Read more**](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/steering-of-roaming-prioritizing-quality-assurance-in-the-5g-era)

[![](https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/Adaptive%20Steering%20Blog%202%20Resized.jpg) ](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/stay-ahead-with-guaranteed-data-qos-in-roaming)

Blog 

June 24, 2024

#### [Stay Ahead with Guaranteed Data QoS in Roaming](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/stay-ahead-with-guaranteed-data-qos-in-roaming)

[Read more**](https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/stay-ahead-with-guaranteed-data-qos-in-roaming)

## Interested in learning more?

Connect with a TOMIA expert today

Contact Us

#### Request a demo

![](https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/user-modal.png)

### Request a demo

###### chief technology officer

**

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin maximus ac felis nec sollicitudin. In lacinia nibh quis tincidunt ornare. Maecenas eu feugiat quam. Fusce vel pellentesque quam, vel egestas enim. Duis sagittis porttitor turpis, at consequat nulla semper eu. Cras et pharetra sapien, eu varius massa. Pellentesque fermentum tortor eget enim dignissim, nec laoreet sapien iaculis. Mauris vitae ante turpis. Praesent fringilla, lacus quis feugiat vulputate, erat lectus molestie diam, at ultricies libero nisi ac arcu.

**

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Tomia",
    "url" : "https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/author/tomia"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-05-05T15:19:29.824Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-05-05T15:01:17.000Z",
  "headline" : "Smarter Steering. Stronger IoT.",
  "image" : [ "https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/IoT%20Seering%20202505.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://tomiaglobal.com/insights/smarter-steering-stronger-iot",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://tomiaglobal.com/hubfs/TOMIA%20Logo%20without%20Beyong%20Connections.png"
    }
  }
}
```