When we think of the internet of things (IoT), it’s easy to picture smart buildings, energy-efficient thermostats and intelligent lighting systems. But IoT is so much more than that. 

In the public imagination, IoT is still closely tied to devices and systems within a home or building. But beyond the convenience of intelligent devices lies a more urgent application: mission-­critical systems where failure is not an option. From connected power grids to emergency services, transportation and water infrastructure, IoT is becoming the digital nervous system of the real world.

IoT refers to the ever-growing network of physical objects with internet connectivity and the communication that occurs between these objects and other internet-enabled devices and systems. 

Data from late 2023 to early 2025 shows the average number of devices on a U.S. home network is around 22–25. Looking at this snapshot of an average home, it’s easy to see the proliferation of IoT and connected devices. 

The number of IoT devices is projected to reach 32.1 billion globally by 2030. This is almost double the number of devices in 2023, which was 15.9 billion. Some reports also suggest a slightly higher figure of 40 billion by 2030. 

Of those global estimates, it is projected that the United States will have around 6.24 billion IoT devices. This is a significant increase from the current number, and signifies the growing prevalence of connected devices in various aspects of life, from smart homes to industrial applications.

What are the “things?”

The “things” in the internet of things include the devices in our personal area network (watches, smart thermoses, tablets and phones), the devices in our homes (computers, smart TVs, streaming devices, Wi-Fi-enabled pet feeders, smart appliances), those in our buildings (IT and OT) and outside (cameras, intelligent traffic control systems, planes, trains and automobiles)—any device, object or person that uses sensors or devices and communication technologies to collect, transmit and manage data. These are the “things.”

IoT is rapidly being redefined as the “internet of everything.” The only questions that remain are which objects will be connected and what the rate of adoption of new technologies will be.

Speaking of IoT in transportation, my January 2023 article in ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, “Convergence and the Tactile Internet,” noted that, in June 2022, the Swedish autonomous electric transport vehicle manufacturer Einride got approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to operate autonomous trucks on public roads with mixed traffic in Memphis, Tenn.

The IoT trend continues with transportation and air travel. IoT in aviation involves the use of interconnected devices and sensors on airplanes to collect and transmit data, enabling real-time monitoring and management of various aspects of flight operations, including maintenance, safety and efficiency.

Frequentis USA, Columbia, Md., has developed what it calls “remote virtual towers.” This technology enables air traffic controllers to conduct all the functions of a control tower from anywhere in the world using cameras and real-time video.

In a March 2019 article in Aviation Today, Leonard Swiontek, director of operations for Frequentis, said he considers remote virtual towers to be “more than an emerging trend. They will help optimize facilities and resources, which means safer, better and more affordable air traffic services across the U.S.”

An example of this technology in use today is at the Orlando International Airport. According to reporting from WKMG News 6 in Orlando, virtual ramp control (VRC) uses cameras, sensors, radar and analytics to “see” as a graphical control element on a computer screen, rather than using glass windows to see planes physically.

“FAA-trained personnel watching the wall of TVs and computer monitors guide planes into, out of and around the airport’s ramp,” according to WKMG News 6. “With VRC at Terminal C, controllers even have a virtual map pinpointing every plane at every minute of the day or night, so there should be no accidents because no planes should be moving unless controllers can see for sure they’re clear.”

As an aside, the comment about serving all functions of a control tower from anywhere in the world causes us to rethink what we consider life safety. Electrical codes are designed to prevent electrical shock, burns, fires and other hazards associated with electricity. Standards, largely voluntary and informational, define the performance requirements—such as cable length, cable bend radius, cable termination, certification and the parameters that assure low-latency connectivity and power delivery, as in the case of power over ethernet, with increasing power levels. 

With IoT for OT and life safety/mission-critical applications, latency is a safety issue. Codes and standards must evolve and converge to include end-to-end connectivity. In remote applications, end-to-end could mean transcontinental.

As mission-critical systems continue to shift toward real-time responsiveness, remote visibility and autonomous operations, the infrastructure required to support them must evolve in parallel. That’s where 5G and the densification of small cell networks enter the picture. 

Together, they are enabling the high-speed, low-latency, high-reliability wireless connectivity needed to support industrial IoT, public safety, smart transportation and other critical applications.

To achieve these capabilities, 5G relies on ultra-dense small cell deployments. It happens at the street level—on poles, rooftops and traffic signals—where thousands of small cells extend the reach of 5G networks and push the edge closer to where real-time decisions happen.

The FCC and industry analysts expect that building out a robust 5G network in the United States will require deploying a significant number of small cells, potentially reaching 1 million or more. Each of these small cells require an optical fiber connection. These environments demand real-time decision-making, maximum uptime and resilient infrastructure. For contractors, it’s a clear sign that IoT is more than just another trend—it’s a business-critical opportunity.

The stakes are higher than ever

In mission-critical environments, delays and outages aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dangerous. Consider:

• Smart grid automation: Sensors and controllers on transformers, substations and meters require high-speed connections to function in real time. 
• Public safety communications: Body cameras, drones and mobile command vehicles need uninterrupted, high­-bandwidth links. Network slicing ensures first responders get priority during congestion.
• Intelligent transportation systems: Traffic signal coordination, autonomous vehicles and vehicle-to-everything applications depend on low-latency links between moving and fixed devices—even pedestrians.
• Virtual air traffic control: sensors, controllers, cameras and monitors must communicate quickly and reliably.

Real time at the network’s edge

In mission-critical systems, there’s no time to wait for data to travel to the cloud and back. Edge computing brings processing power closer to the source—whether that’s a pump station, utility pole or intersection—ensuring real-time control and faster responses.

Micro data centers and rugged edge nodes are now being deployed in remote and industrial environments. These compact facilities need power provisioning, broadband optical fiber connections, network security and device integration, environmental control and physical protection.

Contractors that can install and maintain these distributed assets are becoming indispensable to cities, utilities and critical service providers.

Broadband infrastructure

Reliable, high-speed connectivity is nonnegotiable for mission-critical IoT. This creates strong demand for contractors skilled in:

• Optical fiber installation (underground and aerial)—For aerial deployments, there’s make-ready work to address the often heavily congested communications space. Line contractors are uniquely positioned for optical fiber deployments, with optical ground wire and all-­dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) optical fiber placed in the power space. ADSS in the power space reduces make-ready work in the congested communications space and reduces the pool of bad actors.
• Splicing and testing (acceptance testing, fiber characterization, troubleshooting and repair)
• Last-mile and backhaul/fronthaul integration (linking edge sites to core networks)
• Service and maintenance under SLA agreements

The expansion of rural broadband, government­-backed infrastructure programs and new smart corridor designs are  accelerating demand for skilled contractors.

Where small cells fit in

Small cells are compact, localized radio units often mounted on streetlights and utility poles, rooftops and the sides of buildings, transit shelters or kiosks, and custom smart poles with integrated power and optical fiber. Each small cell is typically connected using optical fiber backhaul/fronthaul to the core network and may also support edge computing enclosures or micro data centers nearby.

5G and edge ecosystem opportunities

The densification of small cells and the rollout of edge data center infrastructure create a surge in demand for important areas of opportunity.

1. Site prep and deployment:

• Mounting small cells on poles, walls and structures
• Installing associated power systems, grounding and enclosures
• Providing weatherproofing and concealment solutions

2. Optical fiber and power integration:

• Trenching and conduit installation for optical fiber backhaul and fronthaul
• Fiber splicing, testing and documentation
• Class 4 fault-managed power systems (FMPS) for co-located power and data. With the advent of FMPS and cable manufacturers developing hybrid cables with FMPS conductors and optical fibers in one sheath, the opportunity for a single install for power and data is made possible. Also consider street/curb/sidewalk deployment for small cells and the use of microtrenching for deployment.

3. Edge enclosure buildout:

• Installing micro data centers or edge computer cabinets near small cell sites closer to users/devices
• Providing cooling, power, battery backup and security (physical and electronic)

4. Ongoing service and monitoring:

• SLA-driven maintenance for uptime-­critical nodes
• Remote diagnostics, firmware upgrades and physical inspections

Rethinking redundancy and resilience

Mission-critical systems require failover paths, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance, all of which depend on integrated IoT sensors and reliable networks. Contractors are increasingly responsible for designing redundant and diverse power and data systems; installing real-time monitoring devices; configuring secure, segmented networks for OT; and integrating with building management or city command platforms.

In many cases, the contractor’s role is evolving from installer to integration partner, helping facility managers and city leaders design systems that can adapt and recover when the unexpected happens.

The systems that keep us running

In this new era, IoT is more than a tool for buildings—it’s a game-changer for industries, public safety and emergency response. For contractors, it’s an open door to opportunities, from installing optical fiber networks and building micro data centers to integrating real-time systems for smarter utilities, transportation and agriculture.

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