Sigfox technology to play key role in driving innovations across South Africa, as three major deals with SqwidNet are signed

Global Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity technology provider, Sigfox and its South African operator, SqwidNet, are set to digitally transform the country’s economy by driving national adoption in IoT technology.

This follows three national companies, Discovery, Netstar and Fidelity ADT, signing deals with SqwidNet, to deliver Sigfox’s proven IoT connectivity technology. The deals will enable innovation and accelerate IoT adoption across the country’s automotive, insurance and security sectors.

The deals are a testament to South Africa’s ambition to harness the IoT-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution. It also builds upon SqwidNet’s track record in delivering together with its open ecosystem of partners, IoT-enabled solutions to address major challenges within South Africa.

Ludovic Le Moan, Founder and CEO at Sigfox, said, “We are proud to get such traction in South Africa and to announce three different deals for more than 2,5 million devices. SqwidNet is doing amazing work to drive IoT adoption across South Africa, as revealed by the signing of those three major contracts. “Today’s announcement reflects also Sigfox’s commitment to educate and explain how to benefit from IoT for industrials. With our presence in 50 countries and thanks to this education phase, we are now signing a major connectivity deal every week. We are at the cusp of a technological revolution with the limitless application, and South Africa is amongst the most innovative countries harnessing the power of massive IoT.”

Phathizwe Malinga, Managing Director at SqwidNet, added, “The signing of these three contracts serves as an opportunity for us to cement our commitment to driving innovation through IoT in South Africa.”

Real-world applications

1. Discovery Insure –
Through SqwidNet, Discovery Insure in partnership with Cambridge Mobile Telematics will harness Sigfox’s connectivity technology amongst some of its IoT technology and innovations. The technology will help to enhance Discovery’s core business model.

“The opportunity Sigfox’s technology represents allows us to expand our telematics and technology offering within the insurance sector,” says Anton Ossip, CEO of Discovery Insure. “As a data-driven business who uses this information to change behaviour and reward clients for improving their risk factors, this is an important innovation for us.”

2. Netstar – Vehicle tracking new connectivity
Netstar, a subsidiary of JSE-listed Altron, will also sign with SqwidNet. Through the deal, Netstar will move beyond its traditional vehicle tracking capabilities, with new cost-effective telematics devices and other IoT-enabled solutions. Benefits will include countrywide coverage, maximize the rate of vehicle recovery and mitigate against signal jamming technology deployed by sophisticated criminals.

“To evolve our IoT solutions we realised that we needed to enhance connectivity within our suite of solutions,” says Pierre Bruwer, Managing Director at Netstar. “With over 600,000 vehicles already in our cover, the Sigfox network is set to provide additional connectivity that will enable us to enter new markets and develop new solutions.”

3. Fidelity ADT – Safer alarm monitoring
Security firm Fidelity ADT also chose to partner with SqwidNet, to use Sigfox’s connectivity technology to improve customer experiences, drive efficiencies and expand into new markets. SqwidNet’s Sigfox enabled network ensures reliable transmission of detailed zone alarms, compatibility with most existing alarm panels, as well as mitigate the risk of signal jamming.

“Now we have SqwidNet with a fully deployed, SLA-driven LPWAN in South Africa, we don’t see the need to play in the network space and this allows us to focus our resources on innovative solutions for our customers,” says Wahl Bartmann, CEO at Fidelity ADT. “This is the beauty of using Sigfox’s connectivity technology – ease of integration in converting existing hardware to communicate on Sigfox and simple integration into their back-end systems to receive sensor data plus a low cost to convert.”