Some seven months after going into insolvency, and nearly four months after being saved from receivership by Singapore-based IoT solutions firm UnaBiz, Sigfox, the supplier of a proprietary narrowband technology designed specifically for IoT, has launched in South Africa.
The new company, Sigfox South Africa, calls this “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”.
Ironically, given the problems Sigfox had before finding a new owner, the entry into South Africa follows an extensive restructuring of network licences and assets that IoT network SqwidNet managed until it was wound down last year.
SqwidNet, the former licensed Sigfox operator in the country, suggested at the time that IOT technology had failed to take off in South Africa. Now, it seems, Sigfox has signalled a fresh start, although in South Africa the Sigfox 0G Network, as it is called, already covers 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), a previous owner of SqwidNet, Discovery Insure, Fidelity ADT, Macrocomm, and Buffet Investments.
The Sigfox 0G Network interconnects low bandwidth, battery-powered devices with low bit rates over long ranges. Sigfox has operations in over 75 countries.
Sqwidnet's customers, now supported by Sigfox SA, will enjoy uninterrupted access to the Sigfox 0G Network.
