Cellular IoT covers any device that connects through a mobile network rather than a local gateway. The device carries a SIM or eSIM, attaches to a tower and gets IP connectivity wherever the operator has coverage, which is the main reason it dominates vehicle telematics, payment terminals, trackers and anything deployed across a wide area without local infrastructure.
The technology ladder runs from NB-IoT and LTE-M for low-power sensors, through LTE Cat-1 for routers and cameras, up to 5G for high-bandwidth or low-latency cases. The trade-offs are a recurring data plan, higher module cost than Wi-Fi or Zigbee, and dependence on operator roadmaps: 2G and 3G shutdowns stranded many early deployments. Fleet operators typically manage SIMs through a connectivity management platform. The IoT connectivity overview sets it against the alternatives.
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