Mobile fleets continue to grow, and operators are becoming more involved in the full device lifecycle. As organisations shift toward mobile-first work, several practical debates will define how Mobile Device Management evolves in 2026. These conversations focus on device ownership, automation, user expectations and the balance between security and usability.
Redefining BYOD Boundaries
Bring Your Own Device is now common across most industries. Research suggests that a significant share of employees use their personal phone or computer for work, often outside formal policy and beyond direct IT oversight.[1]
This makes the BYOD question less about permission and more about boundaries. Organisations need a clear line between work and personal use on the same device. Work data must sit in a protected space, and personal content must remain private. If that separation is not transparent, employees assume they are being monitored and look for ways to work outside managed channels.
Operators supporting mixed-use fleets need MDM platforms that keep the work–personal divide simple and explainable. Clear policies about what is visible, what is not, and how data is protected remain key to maintaining user trust.
For more on the governance side of this problem, see the Enghouse Networks blog on strengthening device governance across operator environments.
The Move Toward Mobile-Only Work
Many organisations are also reconsidering how many roles still need a laptop. Sales, field engineering, utilities and frontline teams increasingly rely on phones or rugged devices as their primary work environment. Managers approve expenses, review dashboards and respond to tasks from mobile apps with fewer reasons to switch to a PC.
The growth of enterprise mobility management reflects this shift. Analysts project the market to expand from nineteen billion dollars in 2024 to more than sixty nine billion dollars by 2030.[2]
When a mobile device becomes the main workspace, expectations on MDM rise sharply. A lost phone becomes a productivity and revenue issue, not just an inconvenience. A broken VPN profile or expired certificate can prevent staff in the field from completing essential tasks. Operators therefore need real-time visibility into device status and policy posture, along with onboarding and configuration flows designed for mobile-only roles.
Solutions that were sufficient when phones were secondary devices will feel limited when entire teams rely on them as their primary interface.
Who Owns the Device Experience?
As more organisations purchase devices, connectivity, MDM and support as a bundled service, the long-standing question of responsibility becomes more visible. Users usually want a single owner for any issue that prevents them from working. They do not distinguish between network configuration, policy settings or operating system problems.
Inside many enterprises, responsibility has traditionally been spread across IT, the operator and the platform vendor. This model becomes harder to defend when devices are purchased and managed through integrated service packages. Organisations want a partner who can accept a ticket, look across systems and coordinate a resolution.
For operators, this is only viable if they have genuine visibility and control over the device fleet. Limited access to SIM management and billing data is no longer enough. Enghouse Networks supports this shift by linking device information, provisioning and policy into the operator’s broader BSS and service management stack, enabling more complete ownership of the device experience.
Using Automation with Care
Automation and AI-assisted logic now appear in most MDM and Unified Endpoint Management offerings. When used well, they reduce manual effort and allow issues to be addressed earlier. Devices can be placed into a safer configuration when they fall out of compliance, and users can receive reminders before they encounter problems.
Poorly designed automation, however, can harm trust. Unexpected device locks, unnecessary wipe actions or overly sensitive alerts create frustration and lead organisations to disable features that would otherwise improve security.
The stakes are rising. Microsoft’s Digital Defense research shows that unmanaged or poorly managed devices are a frequent entry point in human-operated ransomware attacks.[3] This makes automated safeguards valuable, but only if they are predictable and transparent.
Providers that succeed in 2026 will approach automation as a way to reduce repetitive work and address clear risks while giving operators and customers the ability to override actions when business needs demand it.
Reframing MDM as Enablement
Employee perception remains an overlooked factor in MDM adoption. Many still associate device management with surveillance, especially when consumer media continues to highlight the misuse of monitoring software. If users believe they are being observed, they tend to avoid managed channels, rely on personal apps and widen the very gaps that security teams are trying to close.
A more practical narrative helps. MDM enables faster onboarding for new hires, offers a safety net when devices are lost and keeps work data in a defined, protected space without restricting personal use. These messages resonate more effectively with employees and align naturally with operator conversations about device upgrades, support and roaming.
Enghouse Networks supports this approach through MDM capabilities designed for multi-tenant, service provider environments, giving operators the scalability and clarity needed to serve large enterprise fleets.
Conclusion: Preparing for the 2026 Debate
The central debates around MDM in 2026 will revolve around boundaries, ownership and trust. Operators must clarify who takes responsibility when issues occur, how automation should be applied and how to maintain privacy expectations while meeting security requirements. By combining clear communication with strong device visibility and integrated policy control, operators will be better positioned to support mobile-first organisations.
A key trend to watch is the continued convergence of device management, network policy and identity, which will push operators toward a broader role in securing and supporting enterprise mobility.
If you would like to explore how Enghouse Networks MDM can support your mobility strategy for 2026 and beyond, you can contact us to discuss your device fleet and operational needs.
