2025 Expected Breakout Year for 5G SA Deployments, RedCap IoT Adoption

2025 is set to be a pivotal year for 5G Standalone (SA) network deployments and RedCap device adoption, significantly advancing IoT applications across various industries, especially manufacturing and industrial automation. After initial delays in 2024, global rollouts of 5G SA networks are accelerating, delivering on promises of ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and massive connectivity, with milestones such as T-Mobile's launch of the TCL LINKPORT IK511 dongle, North America's first commercial 5G RedCap device. Although module costs remain high, they are expected to decline, particularly in China, where government subsidies may stimulate growth. Network slicing has moved beyond trial phases with commercial services like T-Mobile's T-Priority and Verizon's FrontLine, and private 5G networks are increasingly addressing security concerns, a top priority for many organizations. The broader 5G ecosystem is expanding through network API monetization, and the convergence of technologies such as eSIM, AI integration, and the maturation of 4G and 5G infrastructure are driving scalable, reliable IoT deployments. These developments collectively set the stage for transformative IoT applications and new revenue opportunities for enterprises and operators alike.