A new forecast predicts a dramatic increase in cellular Internet of Things (IoT) data traffic over the next decade, driven primarily by the rise of agentic artificial intelligence and Remote Vision applications. Analyst firm Omdia projects that data traffic from Cellular IoT connections will reach 218.6 exabytes by 2035. This volume of information is largely fueled by corporate demands for greater operational efficiency and the pursuit of new revenue streams.
The surge in data is not a gradual curve but an explosion, requiring significant scaling of network infrastructure to meet the anticipated workload demands. The report from Omdia highlights how the convergence of advanced AI and visual data collection is fundamentally changing the nature of IoT traffic.
Agentic AI and remote vision as primary drivers
Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can act independently to achieve specific goals, without constant human supervision. When deployed in IoT environments, these systems generate and consume significantly more data than traditional, rule-based automation. Remote vision technologies, including high-resolution cameras and video analytics, add another massive layer of data generation. The combination of these technologies is creating traffic loads that legacy networks were not designed to handle.
Omdia’s analysis indicates that these two factors are the primary catalysts for the projected growth. The need for real-time decision making in industrial settings, autonomous logistics, and smart city initiatives is pushing the boundaries of current cellular network capacity. The corporate imperative to extract value from data is accelerating the adoption of these data-intensive technologies.
Infrastructure scaling becomes critical
The forecasted 218.6 exabytes of traffic by 2035 represents a monumental challenge for telecommunications operators and infrastructure providers. Current 4G LTE networks are insufficient for such volumes, placing the burden of scale on 5G and future 6G networks. The report underscores that without substantial investment in network densification, spectrum allocation, and edge computing capabilities, the anticipated traffic could lead to congestion and degraded service quality.
Network operators will need to move beyond simple capacity upgrades. They must implement intelligent traffic routing and efficient data compression techniques to manage the load. The shift towards agentic AI means that more data will be processed at the edge, near the source of generation, reducing latency but requiring new architectural designs for network backhauls.
Implications for industry and infrastructure
The growth in cellular IoT traffic is not limited to a single sector. Manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and agriculture are all expected to contribute to the data deluge. In manufacturing, agentic AI systems can manage entire production lines, while remote vision enables predictive maintenance and quality control. In transportation, connected vehicles and autonomous fleets will generate terabytes of video and sensor data daily.
The forecast suggests that the value of this data will justify the investment in new infrastructure. Companies are expected to prioritize connectivity that can support high-bandwidth, low-latency applications. The Omdia report positions this traffic explosion as a critical juncture for the industry, where early investment in scalable solutions will determine long-term competitive advantage.
As 2035 approaches, the telecommunications sector faces a clear mandate. The combination of agentic AI and remote vision is not a passing trend but a structural shift in how data is generated and used. The infrastructure decisions made today will directly impact the ability of industries to realize the full potential of the cellular IoT.
Source: Internet of Things News
