Smart Manufacturing Unpacked

Helping manufacturers transform, with the power of mobile connectivity

Smart Manufacturing Unpacked is the GSMA’s evolving, interactive resource for connected manufacturing. Created for senior leaders, resource managers, plant managers and operations teams alike, it is built to support smarter decisions at every stage of the manufacturing journey. We begin with Industrial IoT, then expand across the topics that matter most on the factory floor, from connectivity and data architecture to security and the technologies shaping what comes next.

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Connected technologies are creating new opportunities for manufacturers to improve performance, resilience and competitiveness. Smart Manufacturing Unpacked distils practical insight from across the GSMA community into guidance that helps organisations make better technology decisions and achieve meaningful business outcomes.

Jo Gilbert, Technical Director, Manufacturing & Production, GSMA

Smart manufacturing guides for the industry

See how connected sensors, data platforms and advanced mobile networks give manufacturers real-time visibility, better quality and less downtime, turning everyday operations into a source of measurable value.

Start with the fundamentals, then explore the business case and connectivity choices that help modern industrial networks work across both brownfield and greenfield sites.

What is industrial IoT?

Discover how Industrial IoT, connected sensors and advanced networks give manufacturers real-time visibility and enable smarter, more responsive operations.

Unlocking hidden value

Explore how Industrial IoT helps manufacturers uncover hidden operational value, reduce downtime and costs, and build a measurable business case.

Connectivity choices

Understand how manufacturers can connect legacy equipment using gateways, private 5G and other technologies to build flexible, reliable industrial networks.

The brain: data architecture and intelligence

Coming soon

The shield: trust and security

Coming soon

The horizon: future-proofing

Coming soon

Helping the industry capitalise on an opportunity

Smart Manufacturing Unpacked helps manufacturers, operators and technology partners turn this opportunity into practical action, exploring where connected technologies can create value and how organisations can move from ambition to implementation. The Mobile Economy 2026 and Global Mobile Trends 2026 reports underscore the scale of the opportunity:

IoT Resources

For more on the specifications that help underpin the mobile technologies used in smart manufacturing, please visit the GSMA’s IoT Resources page.

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GSMA Manufacturing Resources

The Connected Manufacturing and Production community advances the role and capabilities of mobile technology in smart manufacturing.

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Smart Manufacturing Unpacked newsletter

We provide periodical updates on the latest smart manufacturing insights, IIoT guidance and mobile connectivity resources. Sign up to our newsletter for updates on connected factories, private networks, industrial data and the future of manufacturing.