Since the invention of Internet human lives have changed across the globe. Nowadays we humans use Internet for everything. Internet is also being used to connect billions of devices, which are commonly called IoT devices. Their data is being stored in the cloud and will participate in the digitalization of the environment. Having a global, simple, low-cost and low-power connectivity solution is fundamental. This is the challenge that Sigfox addresses by deploying a low bandwidth dedicated network, already present in 60 countries.
Created in 2010, the organization is a recognized global pioneer in a sector that is already revolutionizing the society. The ambition of Sigfox, embodied in the slogan “Make Things Come Alive”, is to give a voice to the physical world around us and to allow these billions of objects to play a role in economic and social development.
Delivering Sustainable End-to-End Solutions
Sigfox has rolled out a single global public network across 60 countries. This enables devices to connect without pairing, at very low connectivity cost, with battery life lasting years and without roaming complexity or cost. The organization’s network allows the customers (or users or end users) to connect devices without having to own or operate a private network or datacenter infrastructure – its solution delivers device to data via APIs from Sigfox’s cloud platform.
The company also has a strong ecosystem of partners delivering sustainable end-to-end solutions, at affordable prices, via its Sigfox operators in 60 countries. Through indirect channels such as these Sigfox Operators or strategic partners such as device manufacturers, and through direct approaches via Sigfox’s IOT Agency and its Global Business Development team, the organization sees itself as IOT enablers that help identify and tackle final customers’ pain points to improve cost and efficiency in multiple domains.
The Key Strategist
Recently, in 28th of November 2018, Jeremy Prince has been appointed as the CSO of Sigfox. As the Chief Strategy Officer, he works closely with Ludovic Le Moan, CEO and Cofounder of the organization. With degrees in Political Sciences & Economics and in International Law, he started his career working for a press group before moving to the Digital world, first Internet, then Mobile.
He worked on two major successful IPOs (Index Multimedia & Seloger.com), before joining M6 (one of the main European media groups). He spent 10 years working there, first as CEO of a joint venture in the Digital field, then as Director of all Gaming activities, to finally hold the position of “Secrétaire Général” of an in-house TV production company. After that, he was recruited by Technicolor as the COO of Mikros, before finally joining Sigfox.
Addressing Pain Points
Sigfox believes that there are three key challenges to address in the IoT market; Energy consumption, Cost, and Compatibility;
- Lowest-energy consumption – Sigfox enables sensors to function without the need for batteries, which will remove the need for battery recharging and replacement. Today, multiple sources of energy in the physical world can enable energy-harvesting, including solar, wind, and electromagnetic waves. The simplicity of the technology means that Sigfox can provide the best possible user experience and lowest maintenance costs. One day, it should even allow us to remove the need for replacing or re-charging batteries since the devices will generate energy themselves.
- Lowest-cost: Sigfox has dramatically reduced the cost and complexity of device silicon to accelerate time to market and IoT adoption. Cellular SIM card module can cost up to $40, a Sigfox module is as little as a few dollars. At this cost one can economically connect virtually anything. Sigfox’s ecosystem recently announced the world’s lowest cost modules starting at just $2. Sigfox will also launch in the coming years a simplified connectivity service that transforms any short range wireless device into a long range IoT device running on a module that should just cost $0.20!
- Complementary technology: Sigfox is compatible with Bluetooth, GPS 2G/3G/4G and WiFi. By combining other connectivity solutions with Sigfox, business cases and user experience are drastically improved. The benefits of having dual connectivity technologies in the same IoT devices offer huge benefits such as additional security, reliability (backup and troubleshooting) and anti-jamming.
When the Plan is to bring the Most Effective Solutions
Recently, Sigfox launched a micro base station which allows indoor and outdoor Sigfox network coverage of up to two kilometers. The organization is also planning to bring Sigfox Bubbles to market, that can be compared to beacons, enabling asset location device that provide accuracy within less than a meter – once the domain of RFID, now in the sights as SFID (Sigfox Frequency Identification).
The Sigfox Bubble architecture enables technology where the company believes it can achieve 2 cents sensors in the future. Additionally, the organization is also working on its satellite aspirations at an accelerated pace while ambitiously expanding its global terrestrial coverage. Finally, Sigfox has the ambition to make its 0G network a standard for the Telecom industry.
