The Internet of Things: Connecting Lives and Industries in Emerging Markets

The IoT is set to change how we live and work entirely especially in Third World countries. Anything that requires interaction with the use of technology is their desire and letting go of traditional systems does not get it any easier for them. As a senior content writer with about 10 years of experience, I have firsthand seen how launching new technologies have changed them and I can authoritatively state that the IoT will top that list. This blog shall look at the many ways industry and the people are being connected through IoT technology in developing countries, the benefits it offers and the hurdles which has to be crossed.

When utilized correctly and integrated in the right systems, IoT can be the answer to walls which surpass economic growth in most of these areas. The internet of things’ growth is the answer to dry words as lack of connections and depression. For example smart agriculture technologies, together with IoTs will ensure farmers are able to work directly through their phones in accessing relevant information, therefore the days of sending messages over mobile phones or hard labor on that end will be a thing of the past.

Amongst the various advantages of IoT in developing markets, the most crucial is expanding access to crucial services. Let’s take healthcare as an example: in several developing nations, there is an issue of poor access to medical facilities, especially in rural areas. But now, IoT devices like wearable health devices and telehealth devices are helping to fill this void, as patients can now attend virtual consultations, observe health indicators, and send real-time updates to medical professionals. This not only improves the healthcare but also equips the people to be proactive with their health. 

In addition, IoT is changing the way industries work by managing supply chains better and enhancing logistics. In the case of developing economies, where supply issues can lead to huge costs, IoT solutions address the problem by making it possible to track goods, orders and stock in real time. For instance, manufacturers can now be in remote locations but keep an eye on materials in production to ensure they are running as they should be and thus reduce the amount of time that equipment is not in use. All this connectivity will help partners work closer together and in the end increase competitiveness on a global scale.

It is true that many applications and aspects of IoT are greatly under-researched and ignored, especially for the newly developing markets. This is due to the fact that the functional prerequisites such as Internet, devices, and back ons, remain deficient in the majority of the regions. Moreover, in countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Russia, the majority of the population lacks the knowledge and skills required to use IoT technology neither the households there have the IoT devices. Hence, the required demographic is completely underexposed as there is practically no capital being poured in developing the infrastructure required so as to alleviate global IoT use to its maximum potential. 

Secondly, cyber security or data vulnerability is significantly responsible for the hindrances IoT devices face in the emerging markets. As the volume of interconnected devices in a network increases, the risk of cyber threats do as well. It is their responsibility to be the custodians of sensitive information; governments, businesses, and the organizations in which they operate. The main area of concern is the trust. The expectations of this technology can very easily take a downturn due to the fear of a data breach. 

Yet there is much hope for the advancement of IoT in the developing economies despite the existing concerns over exposure to the networks. With the globalization of the already existing and increasing use of IoT devices, the fret for networks will be resolved for sure. Having said that devices of geolocations that are away from the populous regions have low connectivity and supply issues making IoT not very convenient.

Also, the fact that smart cities are emerging in developing nations is proof of the strength and extensive capability of IoT. By integrating the IoT technologies in planning and policy-making, there is the improvement of city services, traffic congestion, and energy consumption. Picture a world where intersections are light-weight controlled and lights are changed according to pedestrian movement or Waste systems that send alerts to collectors when bins are full. Such innovations are not only a dosage in improving the resident’s life but also a dose for a much-needed improvement in sustainability given the modern day.

The Internet of Things creates new opportunities by connecting lives and businesses in new ways for the emerging market countries. Risks still exist, however, the possibilities are immense. Applying IoT technologies, these regions will be able to come through their growth barriers, extend their service accessibility, and cultivate creativity. In the near future, rationality obliges all the participants of the process to come together and construct all the required infrastructure and adjust the educational programs to fully capitalize on the IoT. There are oceans and skies.