The article also mentions the fact that 50B devces will be connected to the internet over time.  As I have stated multiple times, the telecom equipment industry is in a secular uptrend, I believe 50B devices is only a start and maybe a conservative estimate.  In my household there are three cell phones, three tablets, three computers, one Roku, one Chromecast and  4 WiFi speakers, today.  That is 15 devices for a household of three.  That is a 5 to 1 ratio.  Over time that ratio could grow significantly, first in the developed world, then in developing countries and on.