The IoT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC) 2025, held alongside the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress, underscored a clear message: the Internet of Things (IoT) has arrived and is delivering tangible performance benefits. Dubbed "the leading global event focused on the transformative power of IoT, AI, and digital transformation," the event attracted over 11,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors from around the world.
Growth and Adoption
IoT adoption has seen steady growth in recent years, with projections indicating even stronger growth ahead. According to Transforma Insights' IoT Connections Forecast 2023-2034, updated in May 2025, IoT connections are expected to reach 19.8 billion by the end of 2025, doubling to 40.6 billion by 2034. Key drivers include technological advancements and the rapid development of new use cases across vertical markets such as smart cities, connected healthcare, and smart manufacturing.
Event Highlights
Three main themes dominated the congress: AI-driven economic returns, process optimization for sustainability, and the energy transition. Presentations focused on sharing success stories that demonstrated how disruptive technologies are enhancing business models.
The LoRa Alliance organized a full-day track on "Building Massive IoT with LoRaWAN," showcasing success stories, implementation options, and end-user experiences of this leading low-power, open, and wireless communication technology. LoRaWAN was the most discussed technology at IOTSWC, with more than 110 million devices now deployed globally. Key deployments included Zenner with 9.3 million devices and Veolia with 5 million connected water meters.
Exhibitor Focus
Most exhibitors focused on their IoT solutions, highlighting the use of IoT in industrial digital transformation. There was a strong emphasis on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). The Free Trade Zone Consortium presented its DFactory facilities to facilitate Industry 4.0 development. Popular show floor areas included the StartUp Pavilion, showcasing groundbreaking startups, and the LoRaWAN Pavilion.
Real-World Impact
The event included live demos, such as Swisscom's real-time flight tracking, illustrating the real-world impact of IoT technology. The 2025 Industry Solutions Awards recognized companies contributing to the digital transformation of the industry, with winners including Semtech, Kerlink, Zenner, and Swisscom from the LoRa Alliance.
The IOTSWC 2025 provided tangible evidence that IoT is no longer a promise but an active and growing force widely deployed across industries. The maturity of IoT technology was evident through numerous success stories and large-scale deployments worldwide, ranging from utilities and retail to emergency response and wildlife conservation. As IoT accelerates, LoRaWAN's role as a key connectivity technology for IoT becomes increasingly apparent, with market-ready solutions poised to bring IoT to the mainstream.