UnaBiz, Massive Internet of Things (IoT) service provider and integrator, announces performance evolution on Sigfox 0G technology, reducing device energy consumption by up to 18 times.

The transformative enhancement aims to deliver a significant efficiency boost for Sigfox-based solutions, empowering developers, 0G Operators and major customers alike.

Central to this advancement is the integration of a 600bps data rate across its global 0G network, coupled with the introduction of the N=1 repetition mode. Both innovations collectively enable devices to operate at unprecedented levels of efficiency, reducing energy consumption by up to 18 times compared to the previous standard of 100bps with N=3 repetition mode:

• By adopting, on top of the existing 100bps infrastructure, the higher 600 bps data rate, solution makers can achieve 6 times reduction in energy consumption and improved transmission quality when devices are transmitting on the move.
• By opting for minimal repetition – sending only 2 frames or even 1 frame, instead of 3, solution makers can enjoy further energy savings of 33% to 66%.

These optimisations not only extend battery life for sensor solutions significantly, enhancing reliability and longevity while opening up new business opportunities, they also introduce versatility in battery management for device and solution designers. Moreover, they enhance the performance for use cases requiring radio transmission efficiency beyond current implementations.

“With this technology update, we offer enhanced flexibility for our partners to optimise their solutions. Device battery requirements can vary greatly depending on needs like Facility Management, Metering, and Asset Tracking. With our latest network and device library updates, solution designers can now easily balance device lifetime and network performance for their specific use cases. Seamless transmission option selection eliminates the need for network resync, unlocking broader possibilities with Sigfox 0G technology,” explained Nicolas Chalbos, Head of Sigfox Innovation at UnaBiz.

Designing solutions with 600bps and/or n=1 repetitions

As with most IoT technologies, improvements in power efficiency bring advantages and considerations:

• Transmitting at 600bps enhances communication speed (and reduces related power drain) and optimises even more the spectrum used by Sigfox 0G technology, but reduces the transmission budget by 8dB, impacting the range at which messages are received by Sigfox gateways.
• Reducing message repetition from the default 3 to 1 also reduces spectrum use and overall power needed to transit, but may raise the possibility of incomplete data reception in areas with weaker network coverage.

Solutions designers, particularly those implementing 600bps and/or n=1 configurations, are encouraged to verify data transmission reliability in their deployment areas. If additional coverage is required, the global 0G network operators provide assistance and various solutions for coverage extension.

For more information regarding the benefits and considerations for your use cases, visit:  https://github.com/sigfox-tech-radio/sigfox-ep-lib/wiki/selecting-the-best-sigfox-messages-parameters

Alexis Susset, CTO of UnaBiz said, “We are continuously evolving Sigfox 0G technology both for enterprises and the broader market in general. The new enhancements aim to improve UnaBiz’s technological ability to address IoT solution needs that rely on the key strength of our Sigfox 0G technology. Enabling 600bps data transmission and releasing our open-source device library, which includes options to control data transmission repetition, not only enhances energy management for devices but also improves reliability in use cases such as logistics, where the devices are transmitting while moving. We look forward to continuing to empower businesses and industries to address their challenges with our frugal, cost-effective, and energy-efficient technology and solutions.”

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ABiT Corporation, a leading Internet of Things (IoT) device developer and solution provider, announces partnership with UnaBiz, a Massive IoT service provider and integrator, to enhance their technological offerings in the smart cities and logistics sectors in Japan and around the world.

The partnership will enable ABiT to create Sigfox-version of their IoT devices and solutions aimed at addressing the challenges facing smart cities and logistics industries. UnaBiz’s research and development team will support ABiT with expert engineering advice and essential documentation to ensure the seamless development and adaptation of devices.

The new line of Sigfox-ready solutions is targeted to be launched in Q4 2024, in markets within and beyond Japan through joint sales and marketing efforts. Existing customers of ABiT and UnaBiz will have priority access to the new solutions wherever they align with their technical requirements. UnaBiz will also promote ABIT’s made-in-Japan, high-quality IoT solutions to its network of 0G Operators present in more than 70 countries globally, supporting the adoption of market-defining Sigfox-enabled and multi-mode products and solutions.

Furthermore, both parties will engage in ongoing discussions to explore the development of Sigfox versions for bespoke products and projects, highlighting their long-term commitment to this partnership.

Takeo Hiyama, CEO of ABiT said, “UnaBiz and ABiT are complementary to each other: UnaBiz designs and markets Sigfox 0G Technology and has a strong distribution network through its Sigfox 0G Operators, while ABiT has excellent technical knowledge and experience to develop IoT devices and solutions on various LPWAN technology such as Sigfox, LoRaWAN and other cellular-based networks. We are looking forward to bringing Sigfox-enabled devices to market and promoting these products & solutions to our growing ecosystem of partners and customers.”

Alexis Susset, Group CTO of UnaBiz Group said, “UnaBiz’s approach towards LPWAN Convergence has paved the way for developing multi-connectivity devices, an area where ABiT’s capabilities shine. This partnership presents significant market potential for single-SKU, multi-mode solutions, demonstrating a strategic alignment to leverage the combined strength of both UnaBiz’s LPWAN convergence-ready Sigfox 0G Technology and ABiT’s LPWAN Products & Solutions within smart cities industries. Leveraging our global Sigfox operators footprint, the collaboration will enable both parties to expand our businesses and accelerate their go-to-market strategy in Japan and around the world.”

Together, they are also jointly designing and developing solutions at the forefront of government IoT use-cases innovation, paving the way for secure and localized implementations that address the unique challenges of the public sector.

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Holtek Semiconductor, a leading professional IC design house focused on microcontrollers, partners with UnaBiz, a Massive IoT service provider and integrator, to integrate Sigfox 0G technology into Holtek’s BC68F2150, an ultra-cost-efficient chipset.

This collaboration aims to bring more energy-efficient and cost-effective Sigfox-based solutions for developers and customers in the logistics and supply chain sector.

In April 2023, UnaBiz open-sourced its Sigfox device library to the public and IoT community. This move has made it easier and more cost-effective for developers, engineers, enterprises, and users to integrate the 0G technology into their IoT devices and applications and develop more efficient and innovative solutions.

The BC68F2150, a Sub-1GHz RF Transmitter OOK/FSK Flash MCU, supports multiple frequency bands including 315MHz, 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz, and complies with ETSI/FCC safety specifications. Designed for a wide array of wireless control applications such as switch remote controllers, office automation, smart homes, and asset management, the Holtek chipset is poised to revolutionize these sectors.

Recognising the shared market focus on ultra-cost-efficient asset management, Holtek and UnaBiz collaborated to integrate the Sigfox library stack onto Holtek’s chipset.

Alex Lai, Director International Sales Division of Holtek said, “We are extremely excited about the enthusiastic response received from integrating the Sigfox Library into the Holtek IC. Our collaboration has already begun to bear fruit, with two Proof of Concepts (PoCs) making significant progress in the logistics and supply chain sectors in both Japan and Europe. This early success clearly indicates an unmet need in the market that we are eager to address. We look forward to assisting UnaBiz’s customers in the commercial rollout of their solutions in the near future.”

From UnaBiz side, the enthusiasm is equally palpable. Alexis Susset, CTO of UnaBiz Group said, “We are pleased to work with Holtek to integrate our open Sigfox Library into their IC to accelerate the deployment of ultra-cost-efficient asset management solutions. This joint effort highlights the relevance and scalability of Sigfox in the Logistics and Supply Chain sector. Such integration expands the addressable market of Sigfox-based asset tracking solution allowing customers to track and trace not just high value assets, but diverse lower value assets too.”

Where can I find more information? Learn more about the BC68F2150 chipset on Holtek’s website and UnaBiz GitHub

Where can I purchase the chipset? Best Modules Website

Where can I purchase the evaluation board? Best Modules Website

The developer community can now visit the 0G technology’s Github page and Build Website, where they can access the new device library codes and related documentation.

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UnaBiz, Massive IoT service provider and integrator launches SeeGALE with KYOCERA Communication Systems Co., Ltd. (KCCS), the innovative asset management solution based in Japan, to transform parcels and boxes shipment monitoring in Europe.

UnaBiz, as the primary distributor of SeeGALE in Europe, is currently co-exhibiting with KCCS at Parcel+Post Expo 2023, a premier exhibition of future technologies, solutions, and services for parcel delivery, e-commerce logistics, and postal industries. The exhibition is held at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center in the Netherlands from October 24th to 26th.

SeeGALE is an end-to-end tracking solution that detects the opening and closing of parcels to ensure the integrity and security of products during transportation. Empowered by the Sigfox 0G technology, the most energy-efficient LPWAN solution supported by the global 0G Network in over 70 countries, the SeeGALE solution allows its users to track the location and security of their goods in parcels with minimal energy usage, offering an ultra-low-cost and environmentally responsible operation for customers who values longevity and traceability.

“It is remarkable to see KCCS moving beyond the traditional tracking of returnable transport packaging assets to address new customer needs with SeeGALE parcel monitoring solution. We are thrilled that they chose Sigfox 0G technology, and have achieved success in Japan with this simple, low-cost, and energy-efficient innovation, a perfect fit for parcel monitoring. SeeGALE meets the burgeoning needs of the logistics industry by providing real-time insights, increasing transparency and visibility of high-value goods, and enabling next-level inventory management and demand forecasting. This end-to-end solution alleviates concerns about the complexity of connectivity, hardware, and software. We strongly believe that SeeGALE will revolutionise a myriad of sectors that prioritise parcel shipment monitoring such as Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Luxury, and Industrial & Automation Manufacturers.” said Loic Barancourt, the Chief Commercial Officer of UnaBiz Group.

“At KCCS, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology. SeeGALE represents a culmination of our efforts to create smarter and more secure solutions for the global market. We are excited to partner with UnaBiz to introduce SeeGALE to Europe, revolutionizing product shipment monitoring and creating new possibilities in various industries including supply chain sector in Europe,” said Naoki Kawai, Division Manager of Wireless Solutions Division of KYOCERA Communication Systems Co., Ltd.

SeeGALE is designed to answer the following common asset management use cases:

a. Inventory Management in Manufacturing: SeeGALE enhances production planning and demand forecasting by providing precise tracking of in-market inventory and discerning consumer trends. This is particularly transformative for managing costly maintenance parts and components that are produced in small quantities, and a broad assortment of long-tail products, optimising inventory levels and thereby, enhancing the efficiency of manufacturing processes.

b. Secure Transportation Management for High-Value Goods: The solution proves invaluable in managing the distribution of high-value goods with a security seal. Pharmaceuticals, alcoholic beverages, and luxury companies can assure their customers that their purchased goods are only opened at authorised shipping checkpoints, or remain unopened until they reach their final destinations. This significantly improves the quality and integrity of the transportation process, ensuring premium products reach their destination in impeccable condition, free from sabotage.

Featuring 2 innovative variants, the SeeGALE solution is available in 2 form factors:

SeeGALE-C, a reusable card-type device which not only detects the location but also the opening status of products during transportation. With its reusable nature, it can be integrated seamlessly into different packaging types, including plastic containers, providing an efficient and sustainable way to monitor products and components throughout their transportation journey. The device lasts for approximately 2 years if one message is sent per day, and approximately 4 years if one message is sent per month.

SeeGALE-F, a film-version of the solution tailored for disposable packaging boxes, providing an effective monitoring solution for single-use packaging without additional waste generation.

SeeGALE-Card is currently available in the Sigfox RCZ1 radio configuration while the SeeGALE-Film is currently under development. To learn more about SeeGALE and UnaBiz’s innovative asset management solutions, visit us at Parcel+Post Expo 2023.

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KAIFA¹ and UnaBiz², announce strategic partnership to accelerate the global deployment of smart water metering solutions empowered by Sigfox 0G technology, including collaboration to bring Sigfox 0G and LoRa dual-mode hybrid solution to market.

Henry Chan, Global Sales Director of KAIFA says, “KAIFA is proud to join forces with UnaBiz in this transformative endeavor. By leveraging UnaBiz’s renowned expertise in bespoke IoT solutions, and the tremendous potential for energy-efficiency enabled by the Sigfox 0G technology, we aim to bring to the market high-quality advanced water metering solutions that are not only accurate and reliable but also cost-competitive, scalable and environmentally friendly to the water metering sector.”

Loic Barrancourt, Chief Commercial Officer of UnaBiz Group says, “We are excited to partner with KAIFA, a leader in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solution to not only drive efficiency but also promote sustainability, making a positive impact on communities worldwide. KAIFA’s quality excellence and UnaBiz’s design capabilities are key ingredients to bringing an integrated fit-for-purpose solution to end customers to enable Massive IoT. We look forward to working closely with KAIFA to bring on a new era of efficiency and sustainability in the realm of water resource management.”

The dynamic duo has already achieved success in various parts of the globe even before the official partnership announcement. Most recently, Iguá Saneamento, Brazilian water and sewerage services supplier, has partnered with KAIFA and WND Brazil to roll out 120,000 smart water meters powered by Sigfox 0G technology.

Jose Almeida – Deputy Chief Executive Officer of WND Brazil said:

“Sigfox 0G technology’s energy-efficient design aligns with Iguá Saneamento’s commitment to sustainability. Reduced power consumption and extended device lifecycles ultimately contribute to a greener and more eco-conscious future. We are certain the collaboration between UnaBiz and KAIFA will pave the way for smarter, more sustainable solutions in water resource management across the globe.”

UnaBiz and KAIFA‘s combined global footprint will allow the partners to address the unique needs of diverse markets. The pair will focus on specific regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South America to accelerate and magnify its prevailing success.

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UnaBiz Equips TotalEnergies Service Station Stores with 3,000 Temperature Sensors to Enhance Food Safety.

TotalEnergies signs agreement with UnaBiz, Massive IoT service provider and integrator, to equip motorway service station stores with sensors to monitor the temperature control of refrigeration units.

Today, more than 160 motorway service stations in the TotalEnergies network are equipped with around 3,000 refrigeration temperature sensors powered by Sigfox 0G technology.

The digital cold chain monitoring solution provided by UnaBiz empowers TotalEnergies to bolster its sanitary control plans and adhere to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP¹) principles, bringing food security to the food service industry.

Powered by Sigfox 0G technology, the sensor solution provided by UnaBiz France automatically records temperature readings in the refrigerated units, ensuring compliance with health standards in the stores and restaurants of TotalEnergies service stations. As the sensors transmit information wirelessly from the refrigeration units to the customers’ system, the TotalEnergies team access the consolidated temperature and stock data, as well as product use-by dates easily via a computer and tablet.

UnaBiz France takes the lead in providing all essential components for deploying and operating the system. This comprehensive support encompasses equipment availability, logistics, installation, and access to a user-friendly app designed for station managers.

For the TotalEnergies teams, who previously took temperature readings manually several times a day, this real-time monitoring solution brings about substantial time-savings.

The implemented solution serves as an analysis tool, ensuring product traceability and data accuracy. It anticipates breakdowns, prioritizing food safety, and product/service quality at TotalEnergies’ network stations.

In addition to enhancing food safety, this solution aids in energy conservation by preventing unnecessary energy costs associated with improperly regulated storage temperatures.

Bolstered by these benefits, this 3-year partnership is currently being extended to other TotalEnergies service stations in Europe and Africa.

Arnaud Tayac, General Manager of UnaBiz France says:

“UnaBiz is proud to play a key role in this initiative, providing essential components and expertise for the deployment and maintenance of the system. Our partnership with TotalEnergies is a concrete example of how Sigfox 0G technology can be used to optimize operational processes.”

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WaterMeter Corp, in collaboration with WND Mexico and UnaBiz, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to revolutionise water management in Mexico.

This strategic alliance aims to deploy 1 million water meters with Sigfox 0G technology throughout Mexico over the next 10 years, offering innovative solutions for accurate, efficient, and sustainable measurement of water, gas and electricity for the benefit of communities and the environment.

Empowering Water Management with Sigfox 0G Technology

WaterMeter Corp has forged a high-impact alliance with WND Mexico and UnaBiz to introduce 1 million water measurement solutions based on Sigfox 0G technology in Mexico. Leveraging WND’s 0G Network, this collaboration will facilitate the efficient monitoring and management of water resources.

WND Mexico: Facilitating Connectivity Without Borders

As the operator of the 0G Network in Mexico, WND Mexico is committed to providing extensive coverage crucial to the successful deployment of water metering solutions powered by Sigfox 0G technology across the country. This alliance reinforces WND Mexico’s dedication to supporting innovative IoT solutions.

UnaBiz: Pioneers in the Future of Water Management

As the owner of Sigfox 0G technology, UnaBiz guarantees the continuity and longevity of the network and services in Mexico for the next 15 years. With a strong track record of connecting more than 2 million gas and water meters worldwide through the global 0G network, UnaBiz brings unparalleled experience to this transformative collaboration.

WaterMeter Corp

Committed to Sustainability and Efficiency, WaterMeter Corp, an expert in water measurement solutions, confidently embraces Sigfox 0G technology because of its ability to communicate equipment in a dispersed or sectorised way without the need to install concentrator antennas, repeaters or gateways on public poles. This decision underscores its commitment to providing cost-effective and sustainable water metering solutions for municipalities in Mexico.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable Water Management

This alliance between WaterMeter Corp, WND Mexico, and UnaBiz is based on a shared long-term business vision. Recognising the critical importance of security, stability, and continuity in the utility market, the trio aims to redefine water measurement in Mexico and beyond.

The fundamental objective is to multiply success stories based on projects with successful investment returns; UnaBiz, WND and WaterMeter Corp are willing to revolutionise the administration and management of water, gas, and electricity with cutting-edge technology.

Currently, the 0G network covers more than 60% of the national population with the commitment to deploy in a few days. After the success of the first stage applied to horizontal and vertical condominiums nationwide, the second step has been called: “essence the IoT technology for everyone, everywhere”.

Marco Mendoza, CEO of WaterMeter Corp:
“Our customers expect water metering solutions that meet their basic needs: accounting for 100% of water, gas or electricity effectively (day, week or month), with cost-effective and operationally practical solutions, and that fit their implementation budgets. This is precisely why we are committed to the Sigfox 0G technology, which allows us to read meters remotely cost-effectively, predictably, and extremely energy-efficiently. Together with WND Mexico and UnaBiz, we will connect millions of water meters in Mexico.”

Daniel Philippe Guevara, CEO of WND Mexico:
“We are excited to partner with WaterMeter Corp (certified in IoT Network for utilities with Sigfox 0G technology) and UnaBiz to pave the way to a smarter and more sustainable Mexico. As the operator of Mexico’s 0G Network, WND Mexico is fully dedicated to providing solid coverage essential for deploying IoT solutions powered by Sigfox 0G technology, including water metering. We share a long-term vision with WaterMeter Corp, recognising the importance of safety, stability, and continuity in the utility market. We hope to transform the smart water metering landscape with 1 million connected water meters over the next 10 years.”

Henri Bong, CEO and Co-founder of UnaBiz:
“At UnaBiz, we are committed to leveraging our experience as owners of Sigfox 0G technology to ensure the continuity and durability of the network and services in Mexico for the next 15 years. With a proven track record of connecting more than 2.6 million meters around the world through the Sigfox 0G network, we are confident that, together with WaterMeter Corp, we will deliver water metering solutions that will help Mexican municipalities address the challenges of water scarcity, non-technical losses, and water leaks.”

“With a long-term business vision, our goal is to modernise the water management system in Mexico, promote water conservation and ensure the country’s sustainable and efficient use of water resources.”

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Semtech today announced it is collaborating with Massive IoT service provider and integrator UnaBiz, to enable Sigfox 0G technology on Semtech’s LoRa Edge and the next generation LoRa Connect platforms.

Semtech Corporation, a high-performance semiconductor, IoT systems and cloud connectivity service provider, today announced it is collaborating with Massive IoT service provider and integrator UnaBiz, to enable Sigfox 0G technology on Semtech’s LoRa Edge and the next generation LoRa Connect platforms.

This collaboration will enable customers to develop solutions that combine LoRaWAN® and Sigfox 0G technologies, providing global coverage for more IoT use cases such as asset management through ultra-low power geolocation in industries including supply chain and logistics.

Semtech’s LoRa technology, with its long range, low power and secure communication capabilities, has emerged as the de facto IoT platform for private LPWAN IoT applications. Today, LoRa Edge and the LoRa Connect transceivers offer cutting-edge radio performance with highly desirable features such as multi-band connectivity, ultra-low power Wi-Fi and GNSS scanning capabilities in a single monolithic silicon, making them highly cost-effective platforms for IoT and geolocation applications in the global unlicensed LPWAN market, ensuring wide coverage. This collaboration paves the road for LoRa Cloud geolocation on the Sigfox global 0G network, currently present in over 70 countries. Simplifying IoT deployments and enhancing global availability based on the combined network’s coverage will enhance the options and opportunities for developers to create world-class solutions.

UnaBiz joined the LoRa Alliance® as a Contributor member recently following a series of partnership announcements with several LoRaWAN ecosystem members. In April 2023, UnaBiz opened up the Sigfox device library to the public and IoT community to build bridges with all IoT communication technologies and power sustainable business growth. The open device library facilitated the validation of the Sigfox 0G technology with the LoRa Edge platform.

Tom Mueller, executive vice president and general manager of the IoT System Products Group, Semtech, said:

“With this collaboration, we are bringing together the LoRaWAN and Sigfox ecosystems to expand Semtech’s LoRa platform to an even larger footprint of LPWAN networks across the globe and provide IoT developers and customers with best-in-class solutions for ultra-low power connectivity, security and cloud-based geolocation.”

“We are creating a cost-effective, single SKU platform for our customers to benefit from the best available network coverage globally and we are enabling LoRa Cloud geolocation across these networks, bringing ultra-low power Wi-Fi and GNSS sniffing for logistics and asset tracking.”

“This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers with the most cost-effective and energy-efficient technologies for sustainable solutions,” said Remi Lorrain, Vice President of Convergence, UnaBiz. “By accelerating technology convergence at the device and software layer, we provide our customers the freedom to select the most effective and relevant connectivity, leveraging both Sigfox 0G network and LoRaWAN coverage, based on their business requirements and sustainability goals.”

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The new owner of Sigfox 0G technology is championing the Convergence of Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies to deliver Massive Internet of Things (IoT).

UnaBiz, Massive IoT service provider and integrator, today announced that they have become a Contributor member of the LoRa Alliance®, an open, non-profit association of IoT companies with over 400 members.

The move follows a series of partnership announcements with LoRaWAN® players including The Things Industries, Senet, Loriot and Actility.

Since UnaBiz acquired Sigfox 0G technology in 2022, the company has embarked on a journey of growth and Technology Convergence. In April 2023, UnaBiz released the Sigfox 0G technology device library code to the IoT development community to build bridges with all communication technologies including, LTE-M Cellular, LoRaWAN®, and Satellite players. Most recently, the company signed a global agreement with Soracom to include global cellular connectivity service in its offerings.

“The first step towards Technology Convergence is understanding our differences. As a firm believer in an open ecosystem, UnaBiz has worked with various IoT communication technologies in the last seven years, and we understand well that each customer should have the freedom to leverage the uniqueness of each LPWAN in order to capture maximum value from their Massive IoT projects,” said Henri Bong, Co-Founder and CEO of UnaBiz.

Remi Lorrain, who joined UnaBiz as its VP of Convergence in June shared:

“We look forward to contributing to the work of the LoRa Alliance committees to drive Massive IoT with the adoption of LoRaWAN in our IoT connectivity portfolio, complementing Sigfox 0G, cellular and satellite.”

As a Contributor, UnaBiz will work with the LoRaWAN ecosystem to deliver LoRaWAN solutions to its customers through its global channels to market. The group is also keen to identify the right partners for go-to-market in its key verticals, especially Building & Facilities management where it has already deployed LoRaWAN-enabled solutions across the world.

“I am pleased to welcome UnaBiz to the LoRa Alliance. Solutions providers are a key driver of LoRaWAN adoption and scaled deployments. UnaBiz’s viewpoints on multi-protocol business models align with the LoRa Alliance’s strategy that complementary protocols are required to address Massive IoT use case solutions.” Donna Moore CEO and Chairwoman of LoRa Alliance® commented.

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UnaBiz and ZiFiSense signed an MoU to promote the development of a Unified LPWAN World to enable Massive IoT.

Under the agreement, UnaBiz and ZiFiSense will leverage their respective networks, with ZETA network covering China and UnaBiz’s global 0G network in 70+ countries, to allow partners and customers to scale their operations globally. The two companies will collaborate on technical and business aspects to integrate LPWAN technology standards and connect different industries.

On the business side, the two companies will leverage their networks to create a seamless global LPWAN network, offering cross-regional and cross-border IoT solutions for Enterprise Customers who have a global footprint, especially in key verticals such as supply chain management, production manufacturing, and public utilities.

From a technical perspective, UnaBiz and Zifisense are co-developing and integrating the Sigfox Stack into ZiFiSense’s second-generation chip, allowing global roaming on both ZETA and Sigfox 0G networks as the chipset will support the Sigfox DBPSK modulation scheme and ZETA’s Advanced M-FSK modulation, allowing continuity of operations for both party’s customers.

Zhuoqun Li, the CEO and Founder at ZifiSense said, “This partnership capitalizes on the complementary strengths of both companies and leverages our combined network coverage to enable hybrid IoT solutions to create a more vibrant, integrated and seamless industrial IoT ecosystem. The collaboration is expected to foster mutually compatible IoT ecosystems in the market, providing our customers with more diverse, convenient, and cost-effective IoT services.”

Henri Bong, the CEO & Co-Founder of UnaBiz, met Zhuoqun Li during his recent visit to China with Business France and President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.

“UnaBiz is committed to create A Unified LPWAN World with our partners. By leveraging the well-established ZETA network in China and our strong 0G Network commercialized by 0G Operators in Europe and beyond, we are certain that we can open more doors and use-cases that translate to bigger opportunities for all LPWAN solution makers and service providers.”

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Actility, the leading provider of unlicensed multi-radio LPWAN infrastructure, and UnaBiz, global Massive IoT service provider and integrator have announced a strategic collaboration to integrate their respective platforms and ecosystems.

The joint effort aims to bring the power of LoRaWAN® and Sigfox 0G technology together in a simple and unified manner, enabling customers to meet their diverse networking requirements and accelerate their IoT projects.

Actility, the co-inventor of LoRaWAN® and founding member of LoRa Alliance® serves LoRaWAN and cellular-based public and private LPWAN networks with its ThingPark® platform, and low-power geolocation use cases with its Abeeway trackers. UnaBiz, the new owner of Sigfox 0G technology specialises in sensor product design, manufacturing, and data platform services across a hybrid of network communication technologies to power sustainable business growth. In order to better serve customers that require a range of LPWAN connectivity solutions, UnaBiz and Actility have integrated their platforms at two different levels.

A specific ThingPark X connector is used in the first type of integration to link networks powered by ThingPark to UnaConnect, UnaBiz’s tech-agnostic data management platform. Users of UnaConnect may now access data flows collected from LoRaWAN® and NB-IoT/LTE-M devices that are served by the ThingPark network deployments and global IoT SIMs thanks to this integration.

The second integration brings Sigfox data to LoRaWAN networks and applications via the ThingPark Exchange roaming hub. This helps to translate Sigfox frames to LoRaWAN® frames and vice versa. Any standard LoRaWAN network connected to ThingPark Exchange and IoT applications built for LoRaWAN® can now leverage devices powered by Sigfox 0G technology without any special adaptation.

As both integration methods are independent of one another, customers may choose to use them separately or in combination.

Olivier Hersent, CEO of Actility, said:

“It is a reality that the market uses a mix of LPWAN technologies. UnaBiz and Actility have decided to integrate both our technologies in multiple ways so that any customer may easily utilise either, or a combination of the two, instead of being forced to choose one or do a complex integration on their own. This partnership serves as a resounding affirmation of our shared goal of building Massive IoT.”

“Actility was one of the first LoRaWAN partners to share our vision of Convergence. We are extremely pleased to take another step towards our vision of a United LPWAN World, and excited to see the integration of our technologies happen so swiftly. We will work closely with Actility to help our partners bring new solutions to the market to help our customers accelerate their adoption of multi-technology projects!” said Henri Bong, Co-Founder & CEO of UnaBiz.

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UnaBiz, global Massive IoT service provider and integrator across a hybrid of network communication technologies, has released to the public and the IoT developers community the Sigfox 0G technology device library code for connected objects.

The announcement marks a significant step in driving the technology interoperability and the unification of LPWANs in the IoT industry, which is aligned with UnaBiz’s “Technology Convergence” movement that it started when it acquired the Sigfox 0G technology in April 2022.

By opening up the proprietary technology and putting the Sigfox 0G technology device library code in the public domain, UnaBiz makes it easier for a much broader range of developers, engineers, users and students to integrate the 0G technology into their IoT devices and applications and develop more efficient solutions in terms of energy consumption, multi-connectivity, and build extra features on top of the library.

Features flexibility will give device developers the freedom to fully customise their solution for a specific application and subsequently enhance the overall performance of the solution. Developers can now fully unleash the power of Sigfox 0G technology and build innovative applications that can improve people’s lives and drive business growth in the most energy-efficient manner.

The release builds on the company’s most recent announcements with The Things Industries, Senet, and Loriot, LoRaWAN players who have entered into partnerships with UnaBiz as they believe in the vision of Convergence.

“This is an exciting moment for the Sigfox 0G technology community who has seen the recent announcement of our collaboration with LoRaWAN players,” said Henri Bong, Co-Founder and CEO of UnaBiz. “We cannot do this alone. In order to make significant progress in Convergence, we need to open up Sigfox and enable the entire IoT ecosystem to join us in the movement. While partnerships with LPWAN actors will strengthen our position as a leading provider of IoT connectivity solutions, we also need to enable the ecosystem to create hybrid IoT solutions that will ultimately be offered to businesses across a wide range of industries,” he added.

Alexis Susset, Group CTO of UnaBiz, said:

“The opening of the Sigfox 0G device library brings freedom to the chipset, module manufacturers, and developers. They can now adapt the memory footprint of their solutions based on the use cases, be it advanced communication devices that require bi-directional communication, or simple IoT devices that require uplink-only communication.”

“By giving them total access to the 0G technology, we are enabling the creation of highly optimised IoT solutions in terms of cost and energy consumption. The open library also facilitates interoperability and standardisation, allowing seamless integration of devices and systems across applications and protocols.”

The developer community can now visit the Sigfox 0G technology’s Github page and www.build.sigfox.com, where they can access the new device library codes and related documentation. For more information, UnaBiz invites developers to join our community of technical people on Slack.

The post UnaBiz Opens Sigfox 0G Technology Device Library to Drive Technology Convergence and Massive IoT appeared first on IoT Business News.

UnaBiz has signed a partnership agreement with LORIOT to develop multi-protocol solutions that enable large-scale IoT deployments for customers across a range of industries.

UnaBiz¹ and LORIOT² join forces to enable clients to deploy massive IoT solutions and provide them with the choice between multiple protocols that are best suited for their use case.

UnaBiz, the owner of Sigfox 0G technology specializes in sensor product design, manufacturing and data platform services across a hybrid of low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) to create business value. LORIOT, pioneer and leader in the LoRaWAN® and mioty® markets, specializes in the development, management and operation of its LPWAN Network Management System solution provided as both public and private, on cloud and on-premise instances, to network operators, public administrations and large bluechip corporations.

Together, the two companies will leverage their respective expertise and strengths to deliver integrated IoT solutions with multiple LPWAN protocols capabilities, including Sigfox 0G technology, LoRaWAN® and mioty®.

The technical convergence will see the integration of LORIOT’s hybrid Network Management System Hummingbird and UnaBiz’s middleware IoT data management platform UnaConnect, to develop a catalogue of products and services.

The multi-protocol approach provides UnaBiz and LORIOT clients with more connectivity options, and greater flexibility when it comes to increasing device density. These benefits allow clients to leverage massive IoT in all desired verticals and use cases, simplifying device integration, securing the delivery of aggregated data to multiple end platforms, and, ultimately, making their IoT solutions more efficient, scalable and cost-effective.

Henri Bong, CEO and Co/Founder of UnaBiz, said:

“On top of the technical collaboration, UnaBiz will support LORIOT in the manufacturing of Industrial IoT Solutions powered by LoRaWAN® as well as other protocols used by LORIOT’s clients around the world. This strategic partnership demonstrates the positive outcome for customers and the market when LPWAN service providers unite.”

Julian Studer, CEO at LORIOT, added:
“Our strategic collaboration with UnaBiz is built on a hybrid approach, strong customer-focused culture and convergent vision. Together, we will be able to offer our customers a higher degree of flexibility and simplicity, helping them generate true value in their industries on a large scale. We are thrilled to collaborate with UnaBiz to provide our customers with the best of both worlds in terms of multi-protocol IoT solutions. By leveraging our strengths, we can bring a better IoT experience to the market, addressing the growing demand for Massive IoT deployments.”

In addition, through this partnership, UnaBiz clients will gain access to LORIOT LoRaWAN Roaming Hub allowing them to extend network coverage and density. This will give them instant access to LORIOT global LoRaWAN public infrastructure as well as third parties’ networks.

Together, the two companies will be able to bring their vision for convergence and commitment to excellence to their customers by meeting their needs for massive IoT globally.

The post UnaBiz partners with LORIOT to provide Multi-Protocol Solutions for Massive IoT applications worldwide appeared first on IoT Business News.

UnaBiz¹ has partnered with The Things Industries² to provide customers with a better experience for collecting IoT data and device heterogeneous fleet device management.

The partnership involves UnaBiz integrating The Things Stack into its middleware platform, UnaConnect, to enhance its capabilities in interfacing with the TTI network. This integration will allow customers who want to adopt hybrid solutions to enjoy secure, reliable, and cost-efficient data aggregation service.

Henri Bong, CEO and Co-Founder of UnaBiz:

“Interoperability has always been an obstacle for Massive IoT. By integrating The Things Stack onto UnaConnect, we are offering our customers the freedom to choose the best solution that fits their needs. By leveraging the TTI’s global roaming platform, we enable our customers to roam and scale on both 0G and LoRaWAN.”

As part of the partnership, UnaBiz and its 70+ national Sigfox 0G Operators will also gain access to The Things Industries’ global LoRaWAN roaming platform, providing a complementary roaming and peering infrastructure. This will enable UnaBiz and its partners to offer immediately carrier-grade LoRaWAN roaming and peering solutions to its customers.

The Things Industries, a trusted partner for LoRaWAN device makers globally, will provide UnaBiz with direct access to its ecosystem of 500+ device makers and 170K developers worldwide. This partnership will provide UnaBiz with the opportunity to leverage The Things Industries’ expertise in the LoRaWAN network management infrastructure and directly tap into its global market-leading platform, The Things Stack Cloud.

“We are excited to support UnaBiz in their technology convergence strategy as their partner for LoRaWAN network management infrastructure. We are a strong believer of their vision and are happy to provide their customers with a world class LoRaWAN infrastructure” – Wienke Giezeman, CEO and Co-founder of The Things Industries.

In conclusion, UnaBiz and The Things Industries’ partnership will deliver unparalleled IoT solutions, bringing together the strengths of each company to address the needs of the industrial IoT market and provide customers with the best possible experience.

The post UnaBiz partners with The Things Industries to bring LoRaWAN product excellence to technology convergence strategy appeared first on IoT Business News.

UnaBiz, Massive Internet of Things (IoT) service provider, closes Series B at over US$50M in an extension round led by SPARX Group and followed by G K Goh Holdings and Optimal Investment.

The new financing is reserved for existing investors.

Earlier this year, the company acquired the Sigfox 0G technology that powers the global public 0G Network and connects over 10 million sensors for 1,500+ B2B customers through 70+ national 0G operators worldwide.

After 6 months of successful integration, the company is ready to invest in sustainable product innovation, and strengthen its four key verticals: Utilities, Security, Facilities Management, and Supply Chain & Logistics, across LATAM, APAC and EMEA.

Sparx Group, which also led the initial Series B supported the acquisition.

Shuhei Abe, President and CEO of SPARX Group said:

“UnaBiz acquisition of the 0G technology significantly enhances and cements the group’s position as the global leader of Massive IoT. As the technology owner of the most energy-efficient LPWAN technology available on the market, UnaBiz is in a prime position to champion the convergence of Massive IoT communication technologies (from 0G to 5G) to help enterprises achieve their digitalisation and sustainability goals.”

SPARX Group is an independent investment company based in Tokyo, Japan, that manages over US$10 billion worth of assets. It is listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange.

“We are encouraged by the trust and confidence of our investors in this extension round despite the current economic climate,” said Henri Bong, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of UnaBiz Group. “With their strong support and the newly energised team that consists of key executives with deep expertise in technology, operations, sales and marketing, the UnaBiz team will work closely with and through our global partners and 0G Operators around the world to drive Massive IoT.”

Founded in 2016, the company operates with sales offices in Tokyo, Paris, Madrid and Rotterdam, and has two R&D centres in Taiwan Taipei and France Labège. Post-acquisition, UnaBiz doubled its office locations and tripled in headcount. The company currently employs over 240 employees worldwide.

Goh Yew Lin, Managing Director, G. K. Goh Holdings, a Singapore-based investment company, says: “We are happy to increase our investment in UnaBiz as it accelerates its geographical reach following the acquisition of Sigfox. The company’s team has demonstrated focus, foresight and entrepreneurial energy, and we look forward to the next phases of its growth story.”

“Aside from the investments already planned to support business development in strategic markets, we will also use the fresh funds in research and development to further enhance the core low-power 0G capabilities as well as enable cost-effective long-range connectivity dedicated to very low-value assets. Our product portfolio will also be expanded to integrate more LPWAN and satellite technologies, ultimately providing aggregated and clean data through UnaConnect service. The proliferation of new solutions aimed at a broader market will allow our customers to enjoy economies of scale, and the freedom of choice when it comes to means of collecting data from physical assets – that is what the Technology Convergence movement is about.” Philippe Chiu, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of UnaBiz Group commented.

The post UnaBiz Closes Series B at over US$50M with Extension Round Led by SPARX Group appeared first on IoT Business News.

By working with Orange Business Services to add the LoRaWAN network to the Coyote Secure service, initially working with the Sigfox network, Coyote is engaging in large-scale technology convergence.

Coyote Secure allows its tracer to find 91% of its customers’ stolen vehicles in less than 48 hours. To further improve the performance of its offer and reach almost 100%, the French company, known for its driving assistance service, has chosen to integrate the operator Orange’s LoRaWAN network into Coyote Secure, which has been in operation for 2018 with the Sigfox network.

“We are agnostic in terms of technology, our objective is to bring the best to our customers and for this we have chosen the convergence of connectivity”, affirms Jérôme Arnac, marketing director at Coyote.

For Coyote, the major advantage of integrating LoRaWAN is to benefit from additional coverage, reducing the risk of dead zones. “Once the signal is detected, the location is more precise with the two networks to facilitate the work of our teams in the field who validate the exact position of the vehicle”, explains Jérôme Arnac. According to him, the two connectivities are as efficient as the other in the event of jamming or burying. Autonomy is another decisive argument for Coyote: “LPWAN technologies are key to ensuring the lifespan of our tracker, which is four years”, specifies Jérôme Arnac.

“The addition of the LoRaWAN network is included in the continuous improvement of the solution.”

The integration of the network mobilized a team of ten people at Coyote for six months. “Benefiting from dual connectivity required a certain expertise and work to redesign the solution, even if we wanted it to be as minimal as possible”, says the marketing director. An expert from Orange Business Service accompanied them, in particular to interconnect the service with the Orange IoT platform. “We started with a few dozen devices and then expanded to all new products,” explains Pierre-François Valton, Smart Mobility Services, IoT sales director at Orange Business Services.

The main discussions did not focus on technical aspects but on the business model between the two partners, to determine what remuneration to define. “For customers, this will not change anything. We will keep a subscription at 14.99 euros per month or 179 euros per year. The addition of the LoRaWAN network is included in the continuous improvement of the solution”, warns Jérôme Arnac, satisfied to be associated with an operator like Orange to guarantee the sustainability of the solution over the long term. Customers also do not have to worry about the plotter, as it is installed by professionals.

This Coyote project is part of a large-scale deployment. The French company strengthened its expertise in recovering vehicles after theft in 2018 with the acquisition of Traqueur, a specialist in post-theft traceability devices. “Thefts have continued to increase since the end of the confinements linked to the health crisis”, notes Jérôme Arnac, recalling that in 2021, 122,700 vehicles suffered theft. The company is also moving towards an offer dedicated to BtoB, particularly in the construction industry. “There is a strong demand in this sector because, when machines or vehicles containing equipment are stolen, all activity stops”, reveals Jérôme Arnac.

The post Coyote Secure combines LoRa and Sigfox to find stolen vehicles appeared first on IoT Business News.

Sigfox South Africa has officially launched its operations – the next step in enabling the transformational power of Massive Internet of Things (IoT) technologies across the African continent to drive innovation and foster inclusive economic growth and job opportunities.

The Sigfox public 0G Network continues to operate under this new brand, following an extensive restructuring of network licences and assets that SqwidNet formerly managed. Sigfox South Africa is a fully licensed national 0G Network Operator focused on commercialising the country’s prominent and growing Sigfox 0G network coverage.

The Sigfox 0G Network in South Africa has been built over a number of years and is considered a tier 1 network amongst it global operators covering 95% of the population, and 90% of national roads. The newly established network company is backed by notable investors comprising Community Investment Venture Holdings (CIVH), Discovery Insure, Fidelity ADT, Macrocomm, and Buffet Investments.

“The Sigfox 0G technology is a critical connectivity service in South Africa due to its positive and significant impact on a large value chain that depends on its sustainability and viability locally. The investment from all the partners provides a strong platform and support for use case development, adoption and accelerated growth”, said the non-executive director, Sivi Moodley.

Massive IoT is essential to the modern world, relaying crucial data and decisions between physical devices and the digital world. The IoT Industry Council of South Africa (IoTIC) has urged more focus on low-cost, effective new technologies to ensure South Africa is 4IR ready. Sigfox 0G technology has demonstrated IoT can be put to work for communities, people and businesses, including improved security systems, more efficient city services, and automated mining and manufacturing operations.

According to IoT Analytics¹, in 2022, the global IoT market will grow by 18% to 14.4 billion active connections and reach 27 billion connected IoT devices by 2025. However, Massive IoT is still a developing market, full of opportunity and risk. When Sqwidnet launched in 2016 as the licensed Sigfox operator for South Africa, it helped establish the credibility of IoT investments in the country. However, in mid-2021, Sqwidnet’s stakeholders agreed that the company required a fundamental restructuring to incorporate lessons learned over the previous five years.

Sigfox South Africa is the outcome of this restructuring. Working with investors, Sigfox South Africa aligns its operations and strategy to the changing nature of the local IoT market. The Sigfox 0G Network continues to grow to deliver even more value to current and future customers.

“We’ve taken past lessons to heart, but we also learned that our customers are loyal and proactive because they see the direct value Massive IoT creates for them and their customers. In technology, you learn from risks and never lose sight of meaningful, market-relevant innovation. This is the ethos of Sigfox South Africa, and we look forward to helping IoT make even more positive impacts for everyone”, states fellow non-executive director Raymond Ndlovu.

Such a realignment is not unusual in the fast-growing and dynamic IoT market. For example, the Sigfox 0G technology has been recently acquired by UnaBiz², a proven Massive IoT service provider that started as the Sigfox 0G Network Operators in Singapore and Taiwan but has since achieved global success connecting over 10 million devices and servicing 1,500 customers globally.

Henri Bong, CEO and Co-Founder of UnaBiz, says:

“UnaBiz is pleased to welcome Sigfox South Africa to the global 0G Network Operator community. As one of the fastest-growing IoT markets in the MEA region, Massive IoT adoption has accelerated significantly in South Africa over the last few years.”

“We look forward to working closely with Sigfox South Africa to bring down the cost and complexity of massive IoT adoption in a vast number of sectors including energy, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, etc…”

Sqwidnet’s customers, now supported by Sigfox SA, enjoy uninterrupted access to the Sigfox 0G Network. Having serviced the South African market and local customers, LPWANs have consistently demonstrated the best reliability, performance, and cost to keep IoT devices online. The ability to provide connectivity to devices without the need for external power sources is a significant win for the African market and its ability to role out digital solutions.

Africa offers many cases where IoT can make a difference, bringing the power of digital technology to all corners of the country and continent. Sigfox South Africa heralds a new era for growing and maturing Massive IoT in South Africa and Africa, a significant catalyst for growing African economies, economic inclusion, community development and personal success.

The post Sigfox South Africa boosts local economy with Massive Internet of Things (IoT) appeared first on IoT Business News.

Sigfox is working on its first commercial development to create an energy harvesting device by collaborating with HT Micron and Nowi to launch a board integrating HT Micron (SiP) and Nowi (PMIC) solutions.

Sigfox, today announces its partnership with HT Micron, a Brazilian expert in advanced semiconductor solutions, and Nowi, a semiconductor company that specializes in the development of energy harvesting power management technology, to explore and unlock the benefits of integrating energy harvesting into Sigfox devices.

This collaboration marks the first step for Sigfox towards a commercial development of energy harvesting modules to equip IoT devices and contribute to more sustainability in IoT. Key use cases are applications in Smart metering, industrial sensoring, asset tracking and air quality monitoring.

During the research phase, HT Micron has worked on creating the innovative semiconductor solution to be integrated with Nowi’s Energy Harvesting PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) designed especially for low power IoT devices. Equipped on Sigfox devices and powered by the 0G technology, this solution will help reduce battery consumption and offer longer autonomy while reducing the total cost of ownership.

Nowi PMIC is designed to efficiently extract power from ambient energy sources like light and vibration to charge a variety of energy storage elements such as a rechargeable battery or a capacitor. It is best suited for most low power applications like distributed IoT sensors and TV remote controls for example.

Chris Juliano, CCO at Nowi, explains:

“The low power consumption of Sigfox solutions is particularly well suited to being powered by ambient energy harvesting. As many Sigfox-based applications require intermittent communication intervals, this allows for trickle charging a storage element with energy harvesting in between transmissions.”

Sigfox and HT Micron have been working together for several years already and HT Micron was identified as a strategic partner for this project as they have the expertise to create innovative modules and they consider energy harvesting essential for IoT mass adoption with sustainability.

“We are glad to take this next step with Sigfox and explore energy harvesting solutions as a new way to create added value to our end customers and help them improve their environmental impact,” says Edelweis Ritt, CIO at HT Micron.

“This collaboration with Nowi and HT Micron is another proof point towards our ambition to create IoT solutions that will help our clients preserve the environment by greatly reducing their energy consumption. We are looking forward to the development of this new kind of devices and to the positive impact they will generate”, says Benjamin Jooris, Client & Ecosystem Success Director at Sigfox.

The first step of this project is a development kit integrating Nowi’s PMIC solution with HT Micron’s Sigfox system-in-package, to be used for testing purposes by R&D and product development teams.

The post First Sigfox energy harvesting module in partnership with HT Micron and Nowi appeared first on IoT Business News.

• The new light beacon, designed and developed by CAR-LITE, will send automatic alerts to the relevant road safety authorities and geolocalize precisely the location of failed vehicles, without the need for Internet connection, Wi-Fi or SIM cards, based on Sigfox 0G network.
• The solution will cover virtually the entire road network, thanks to the scope of Sigfox 0G network, present in 75 countries, and is particularly useful in isolated areas where there is no mobile or Internet connection.
• This light beacon is specifically designed for the Internet of Things (IoT): its data and energy consumption are very low and allow it to offer a more competitive proce thanks to 0G communications.

Sigfox and CAR-LITE, a leading Spanish company in the design and manufacture of emergency signalling beacons for cars, have launched a new smart beacon model base on IoT technology and Sigfox 0G network.

The new beacon has been designed and developed by CAR-LITE and its technology will enable automatic alerts to be sent to the relevant road safety authorities and will precisely geolocate the location of damaged vehicles, without the need for an Internet connection, Wi-Fi or SIM cards, as it is based on Sigfox 0G network, the first global network designed by and for the IoT. Both companies will collaborate to launch this product throughout Europe (Spain pending approval), thanks to the deployment of Sigfox 0G network, already present in 75 countries worldwide.

This solution will allow public and assistance services to be alerted so that they can react more quickly to emergencies and warn other drivers by means of real-time road signs.

The new Sigfox and CAR-LITE model makes it possible to geolocate damaged vehicles by GPS in real time and in a very efficient way, providing very valuable and actionable information to road safety authorities throughout Europe, infrastructure management companies, freight transport or traffic control authorities, among others, speeding up the management and resolution of the incident and accidents.

In addition, CAR-LITE devices based on Sigfox technology are battery operated to ensure independence from a rechargeable battery. The device may be compatible with the connected car platforms of the various competent authorities in each country.

Furthermore, the approach of this solution is specifically designed for the Internet of Things: its data and energy consumption are very low. In addition, both the cost of the Sigfox-based communications device and the cost of communications over the life of the beacon are lower than those of technological solutions used in the past. Moreover, the cost of communications is independent of the country where the beacon is used.

The model created by CAR-LITE is a small round beacon that emits a light visible up to one kilometre away when attached to the roof of the damaged car. The solution does not require getting out of the vehicle to place it, which is safer than traditional warning triangles and will help reduce fatalities in the event of accidents while connecting people, roads, authorities and vehicles.

0G to ensure the safety of drivers at all times

According to Carlos Alonso, CEO of CAR-LITE, and Rebecca Crowe, Managing Director of Sigfox Spain:

“We are delighted to be able to put the scalability and broad scope of our network at the service of a solution that is set to significantly improve safety on our roads, in line with the strategy of the European authorities responsible for road safety, whose objective is to minimise accidents and emissions. We are proud to have been able to help launch a pioneering initiative at European level”.

The post CAR-LITE and Sigfox launch an intelligent light beacon based on the 0G network to replace emergency triangles on the road appeared first on IoT Business News.

We have met with Christophe Fourtet, co-founder and technical director of Sigfox, to discuss short-term challenges and opportunities for IoT technology. Christophe shared with us his views on multiple subjects like IoT security, IoT combined with virtual tech, smart cities and sustainability.

IoT Business News: Why has the importance of security grown in relation to IoT hacking over the last 12 months?

Christophe Fourtet: Security has been an important factor in the IoT landscape since the very first devices appeared on the market. However, with the growth in adoption of IoT devices, we now have more entry points for potential attackers. No longer are only mobiles or PCs vulnerable, but “innocent” light bulbs, cookers, video cameras and more, are attack vectors.

You may remember light bulbs that were the point of entry for attacks. They were using Wi-Fi which served as a relay or bridge for attacks. The market learnt then that access to devices needs to be kept to a strict minimum.

There are bound to be threats that we can’t even imagine yet, but today most of them are relatively well known. The priority is to fully understand what a device is doing. Some institutions in the European standards organization, ETSI for example, have specific forums about security, which explore limiting the possibility of entry.

Manufacturers used to focus on security mechanisms and techniques, and these involved, for example, complex algorithms. These are of limited use if there is an obvious backdoor into the device. Protecting IoT devices is about common sense and simple rules.

IoT Business News: What are the economic benefits of combining IoT with virtual and augmented reality technologies?

Christophe Fourtet: There are two distinct realms in IoT, one for the mass market and the industrial IoT, which Sigfox is involved with. In this sector, IoT equals statistics and data- manipulation and crunching. Against a landscape of machines, systems and processes users can extract very simple data, and via data manipulation, obtain metadata which provides a new virtual landscape of your situation.

By using multiple low data rate devices, statistics are used to build virtual landscapes. This is important as this is where revenue will be generated. ROI from basic data exists, but it is limited compared to what can be built through metadata. We are gathering metadata in our network too to build a kind of virtual, augmented reality. The Sigfox network could be regarded as a huge browser radio sensor. That’s why we use cognitive radio as each base station is sensing and measuring the spectrum. It’s a kind of radar, combining sensor data to create a radio landscape.

For example, in our premises in Toulouse, we can detect new buildings, which are being constructed near us. When looking at statistics from the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) over the weeks, we can see the changes captured by low throughput industrial IoT devices.

I can imagine that technology giants like Amazon will build a lot of metadata, combined to create a form of virtual reality. A key driver for success is the number of devices. With many more devices than phones and classic connectivity devices in the future, there will be an opportunity to collect more statistics.

IoT Business News: How has smart cities’ use of IoT become a key ingredient in improving sustainability and quality of living? Can you provide any examples?

Christophe Fourtet: There has been a slow start as market conditions are unique for each city. With the rollout of smart cities, energy consumption and living conditions can be drastically improved. However, some cities don’t know where to start.

We have a customer “connecting” streetlights which are learning about the status of the street. Although this use case is simple from a technical standpoint, it is complex from a use case point of view. The city wants to know the state of the LED, consumption, and remote control. The device is also building a profile of the street. For example, at times of high foot traffic, intensity of the light can be heightened. The goal is to make people feel safer in the street. The city can ensure that at 4 am, lights switch on if people are detected. The intensity of the light can be changed depending on the number of cars and people detected. Of course, at all times data privacy is respected, so no cameras capture detailed images of the people and cars, and are rather based on motion.

Metering is part of smart cities. While meters were rolled out many years ago, they will be renewed, improved and simplified over the next few years to bring more benefits. Many applications are undertaking PoCs at the moment. For instance, sensors in the walls identify energy flow, temperature gradient, and data can be used to improve heating systems and create smart buildings. With 1,000 sensors in building walls at $2 per sensor, building owners build a cartography of the building, to help improve living and working conditions in the building. As we gain more data from buildings, we can make them more environmentally friendly.

Specific smart city use cases including air quality monitoring in the Fira de Barcelona, which installed Cellnex temperature and humidity sensors to improve visitor comfort. Also, Eco-startup GreenCityZen connected 5,000 drains (entry points into the river network) on the Marseille sewerage network.

IoT is also accumulating data and statistics via simple devices, which provide the metadata essential for improvements. While in ancient times information about buildings was passed on orally, we are losing this type of experience. Instead, we are short of time and need to rely on technology to share knowledge. This in-depth understanding of buildings can be delivered via IoT.

IoT Business News: Are there any new sustainability and renewable energy measures you can tell us about that have come about entirely thanks to IoT?

Christophe Fourtet: IoT is being used for CO2 measurement and management. For instance, some companies are trying to restock CO2 in the soil/ground and can only do this with IoT. Gathered from industrial processes, it’s turned into liquid CO2. Once in this form, it is important to understand through IoT intelligence, where to put it, for example, potentially in soil where oil previously existed to create more.

For sustainability, there are several simpler applications, like controlling renewable energy such as solar panels. Currently, most panels are not connected, but with radio sensors, energy firms are able to monitor the panels to increase efficiency, identify when they are dirty, whether they are working well and more. IoT measures sustainable energy sources, even if they are scattered across different locations. Introducing IoT on a massive scale is possible, but only once a full analysis of existing devices, requirements and goals is completed.

IoT Business News: Why has Sigfox shifted from an IoT network operator to an IoT cloud provider and what is the rationale behind that move?

Christophe Fourtet: We are not just an IoT network operator or IoT cloud provider. Sigfox is an IoT communication service provider of an ultra-low cost, ultra-low power solution for asset tracking and monitoring. We are supported by an entire ecosystem, our Sigfox Operators, device makers, channel partners and solution providers to deliver our solution.

Sigfox created the network technology, while the Sigfox network operators build and operate the network, while maintaining and selling the connectivity to clients. As Sigfox Corporate, we maintain and improve technical aspects of the network and respond to requests from our operators. Our network is complex, and it will evolve further to deliver new properties, based on the data we collect.

IoT Business News: Can you give us a full update on Sigfox’s achievements and figures: staff, number of connected devices?

Christophe Fourtet: Sigfox has a presence in 75 countries, with 19.1 million connected devices using our network to deliver 76.5 million messages per day. We have 275 employees worldwide (2,000 including Sigfox Operators).

The post Interview with Christophe Fourtet, co-founder of Sigfox appeared first on IoT Business News.

This new strategic partnership will contribute to Sigfox’s efforts to tailor cost efficient and performant services adapted for the massive IoT, and open a whole new range of applications, particularly in the supply chain and logistics industries.

Sigfox, a world’s leading IoT (Internet of Things) communication service provider and 0G network pioneer, has announced today its partnership with Skyhook, the leading independent provider of Wi-Fi, cellular, and hybrid positioning.

The collaboration is set to improve the quality and performance of existing tracking services on the Sigfox network globally, while delivering enhanced customer experience at an accessible cost.

As part of its services, Skyhook offers Wi-Fi location solutions, which can be used on its own or as part of a larger hybrid positioning system. This software-based, power-efficient approach uses Wi-Fi, GPS/GNSS, and cellular signals to track location, and uses over 6 billion geolocated Wi-Fi access points, over 110 million geolocated cells, and 1.5 billion geolocated IP addresses for unmatched reliability and accuracy. Through its unique approach, Skyhook’s Precision Location solution is able to accurately locate connected devices anywhere in the world.

By integrating global coverage from Skyhook’s positioning services with Sigfox’s existing Atlas Wi-Fi service, companies will be able to locate their assets in indoor environments, where other positioning methods can fall short. Customers directly benefit from the integration of Skyhook services, removing the need for additional infrastructure, regardless of the size and quantity of assets.

Atlas Wi-Fi, Sigfox’s geolocation service for massive IoT applications is specifically optimized to support global supply chain and logistics applications and combines two technologies and data sources – the Sigfox network and Wi-Fi infrastructure. Accordingly, Sigfox can provide one single location service in all types of geographic environments, without GPS.

Additionally, as Wi-Fi-based location tracking consumes less battery than using GPS, this new partnership will help extend the service life of IoT tracking solutions, thus reducing maintenance costs.

Craig Waggy, CEO of Skyhook, said:

“Skyhook is proud to partner with Sigfox to ensure accurate location information is available regardless of whether an asset is inside a warehouse, outside in the lot or in transit. Integrating Skyhook’s technology into Sigfox’s global location platform is an important next step as Sigfox maintains its position as a recognized global leader in the IoT space.”

“This partnership with Skyhook will help our clients gain better visibility of their supply chains, and ultimately provide a better service to their end customers. Understanding the exact location of assets globally without the additional costs associated with new infrastructure will no doubt drive business efficiencies. We see major traction around postal, retail and automotive use cases and Skyhook will help us provide the right quality of services for these key customers,” added Benjamin Mazet, Asset Tracking Director at Sigfox.

The post Sigfox Signs A Global Partnership With Skyhook To Improve Delivery of Geolocation Services appeared first on IoT Business News.

GreenCityZen’s solution and Sigfox’s 0G network provide the Marseille Métropole sanitation department (Seramm) with an economical and ecological connected storm drain network.

Eco-startup GreenCityZen, a greentech pioneer in IoT for industry and smart city, has selected Sigfox to connect 5,000 downspouts (entry points into the river network) on the Marseille sewerage network.

The technology from Sigfox, one of the world’s leading providers of IoT communication services and the originator of the 0G network, allows Seramm to retrieve data from sensor-equipped gutters to improve their performance and reduce the number of interventions.

Although drains are designed to collect rainwater, they also collect waste abandoned on the public highway, which causes operational problems and pollution. Drains clogged by waste can no longer fulfill their primary purpose, and there is also an ecological impact as waste accumulated in the drains transfers into the natural environment during rainfall.

To address these issues, GreenCityZen has developed the HummBox platform for the continuous monitoring of stormwater drains in sewerage networks. The application detects waste levels, and can therefore “decarbonize” operation and cleaning of gutters, as it is no longer necessary to travel to determine if a storm drain is full. The startup called on Sigfox France and its 0G network to collect the data sent back by the sensors placed in drains in a real-time, simple and sustainable way.

Self-powered sensors connect directly to the Internet via the Sigfox network, and each drain is logged in advance within the application where details are recorded, including: a description, images, the condition of the instrumentation, its fill rate and any necessary interventions. Before this collaboration began, the city of Marseille carried out 50,000 inspection visits, only to clean 50% of the drains, while others lay empty.

Deploying IoT has transformed Seramm operators’ jobs by providing better data on the drains across the city and therefore immediate visibility of the assets requiring maintenance, as well as a better insight into the type of maintenance required without needing an initial site visit. In addition, the data collected provides useful statistics to the sanitation department and ultimately improves its performance.

Alexandre Boudonne, director of operations at GreenCityZen, said:
“The IoT, the latest technology in the digital transformation of our economies, has had a considerable impact. At GreenCityZen we see it as an opportunity for the environment and, with the support of Sigfox, we have been able to implement new use cases to improve the performance of the Seramm while helping to preserve our planet.”

“Sigfox’s mission is to digitize the physical world while committing to harnessing and delivering the benefits of IoT in ways that sustain and respect our environment. This collaboration with GreenCityZen is particularly well suited to this mission and allows us to support a high-potential “made in France” startup,” adds Patrick Cason, CEO of Sigfox France.

By September 2021, in Marseille, 2,000 drains were already equipped with the HummBox solution and connected to the Sigfox network. Another 3,000 should follow by 2022.

These intelligent solutions should soon be rolled out nationally and then exported internationally. SUEZ has also called on GreenCityZen to install other types of sensors in vacuum sewer networks. The objective is to monitor the frequency of valve opening and report any problems to the operator. The Sigfox 0G network allows the sensors to communicate, even though they are sometimes buried or under a cast iron plate.

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Sigfox, the world’s leading IoT communication service provider and 0G network pioneer, has teamed up with Stripe to deliver subscription-based IoT.

In response to demand from clients, from start-ups to R&D teams in large companies, Sigfox is now providing 0G subscriptions for purchase online, with only a few clicks and a credit card required.

Sigfox selected Stripe to provide the online payment infrastructure. Clients can choose between two offers: Discovery and Enterprise.

IoT devices connect with Sigfox’s 0G network using the internet and transmit small amounts of data over long ranges. This low-cost network does not require expensive SIM cards, and now offers flexibility in terms of pricing.

Discovery provides a pricing for up to 10,000 devices and is based on the number of devices and messages, whether Atlas Native, the Sigfox network-based location service, is selected. Clients have up to one year to activate their subscriptions, then one entire year of fully prepaid 0G connectivity. Enterprise is for larger implementations, over 10,000 devices, and brings the additional benefits of a longer activation period, multi-year subscriptions, an account manager and dedicated technical assistance.

Nicolas Poussier, Product Manager at Sigfox comments: “Stripe has been instrumental in democratising access to online payments and payouts for millions of companies across the planet, making it easier than ever for companies to expand into some of the largest and fastest growing markets in the world and thus accelerate the internet economy. This resonated with Sigfox’s mission to make the Internet of Things available to all. With outstanding uptime, a flawless user experience, strong European foundations and new countries launched every quarter, Stripe’s ethos and ambitions were obviously aligned with ours.”

Among the 75 countries covered by Sigfox, companies from 28 different countries (and counting) can now buy Sigfox 0G subscriptions online: https://buy.sigfox.com/buy

Thousands of companies have been joining the network every year. All are solving problems with 0G that couldn’t be addressed before in a practical way, for example, predictive maintenance of equipment, asset tracking in logistics, food storage monitoring, wildlife protection, and many other use cases.

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Off-grid energy distributor improves efficiency, sustainability and lowers costs with real-time asset monitoring.

SHV Energy and Sigfox are rolling out a global LPG tank level monitoring solution.

The implementation has started in France, Belgium and Germany and is already generating lower carbon emissions and improved customer satisfaction. Over the next three years, 50,000 units will be rolled out worldwide. Sigfox’s IoT (Internet of Things) asset monitoring capability enables SHV Energy to reduce the cost of tank level monitoring, while increasing efficiency and productivity.

SHV Energy, a leading global distributor of off-grid energy such as LPG, LNG, biofuels and renewables, with 30 million customers in 25 countries and 16,700 employees, selected to work with Sigfox, a world’s leading IoT communication service provider and 0G network pioneer.

SHV Energy set-up a Telemetry Centre of Excellence and used Sigfox’ solutions and partner Aton SB S.p.A to deliver a homogeneous, global solution for tank level monitoring that provides sophisticated data analytics, and connected smart devices for daily tank level readings. SHV Energy can now optimize delivery routes and schedules, and has improved sustainability by reducing the firm’s carbon footprint.

Additionally, the Sigfox-based solution is considerably more cost-effective than cellular alternatives. Savings stem from low-cost components, no SIM cards, and modest connectivity costs.

Simon Gilchrist, Global Programme Lead, SHV Energy, explains:

“Data collection is critical to the success of our business. Our efforts to streamline this process have been boosted tremendously through the Sigfox solution. We are now able to gather information at an extremely low-cost point, and this enables the wider scale rollout of a homogeneous tank monitoring system across the globe.”

“Sigfox has exceeded our expectations. Its network and technology partners will help to meet our strategic objectives of harnessing the power of telemetry to the fullest.”

“The global Sigfox 0G network has delivered once again when it comes to providing connectivity solutions that offer a direct environmental benefit. Across multiple territories, and with the support of our Sigfox Operators, our solution for SHV Energy is helping to lower CO2 emissions as remote tank level monitoring ultimately reduces the number of overall site visits and eliminates unnecessary visits,” adds Ian Terblanche, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Sigfox.

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This new partnership will help industries better harvest the value of data.

Sigfox, the 0G network pioneer and the world’s leading IoT (Internet of Things) communication service provider, today announced its partnership with Coral, Google’s platform of hardware components, software tools, and models for building devices with Artificial Intelligence at the edge.

As further sectors integrate IoT devices into their activities, more data than ever is being collected and industry leaders are struggling to find fast and cost-efficient ways to transport and harness it.

To solve this challenge, Coral provides the technology to run a machine learning model locally, at the edge, without needing to send large amounts of data to the cloud.

The addition of Sigfox to the Coral Partnership Program will create room for innovation with the possibility to integrate the Coral Edge TPU in an IoT device, making it possible to run inferences locally and capture completely new information from the field. This reduces costs and minimizes energy usage.

Once the raw data is processed and its value has been harvested at the device edge, the Sigfox 0G network will transport it rapidly and at a very low cost to the customer’s platform.

The innovations from this new partnership will be applicable to a number of industrial use cases such as smart buildings, traffic monitoring and anomaly detection. For example, Coral-enabled sensors can help understand population flow in parks, streets, workplaces, or retail centers while preserving people’s privacy using local AI, a fast, reliable process that keeps user data out of reach. Feeding that data into a larger model can help distribute shared resources efficiently and improve incident response.

The combination of local AI and IoT can also come in handy on a production line, where users can extract data from long HD video streams and detect product defects. The cost to do this is typically very high but using Coral’s solution coupled with Sigfox devices and 0G network, costs and latency will be reduced, while data privacy is improved by enabling data refinement upstream.

“At Coral, we believe efficient AI starts with enabling capabilities at the edge. The Coral Partner Program is intended to expand the edge AI ecosystem with our partners to support a broader range of industrial, IoT and cloud-based solutions by enabling deployment at these edge nodes. The addition of Sigfox to our ecosystem does this by allowing engineers to leverage the Sigfox 0G network, making gathering and streaming the right data from remote, low power or low connectivity settings easier without having to sacrifice efficiency or privacy along the way.” said Ajay K. Nair, Product Evangelist, Machine Learning Solutions at Google.

Guillaume Simenel, VP Product and Strategic Partners at Sigfox, said:

“After signing a partnership with Google Cloud earlier this year, we are delighted to start a collaboration with Coral and are looking forward to developing new solutions that will help all kinds of industries harvest the true value of their data.”

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