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World’s First Ultra Low Cost Modules for Sigfox IoT Network

Sigfox has launched a revolutionary way to connect devices, thanks to the world’s first, ultra low cost Internet of Things (IoT) modules, with prices starting from just AUD $4 for the ANZ market. The modules are royalty free to ensure the lowest possible cost, whilst encouraging even greater levels of innovation.

This initiative finally enables mass market acceleration, adoption and deployment of the IoT. In a developing world of cloud-connected devices, high component costs and short battery life will soon be a thing of the past. These barriers were partially due to the complex silicon chips required for the devices to communicate with the cloud.

Sigfox is different. It allows for streamlined device-to-cloud communication, with minimal configuration and set up required, and using royalty free technology, to achieve the simplest and lowest cost solution. With its unique approach and business model, Sigfox is positioned as the only global IoT communications provider to enable mass adoption of low cost sensors, trackers and meters via the ubiquitous global IoT network.

The new ultra low cost IoT modules significantly lower the cost barrier, with modules up to 20 times cheaper than LTE cellular modules and 5 times cheaper than the closest competing technologies. The Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) solutions market is set to grow 90% annually to $24.5 billion by 2021, so today’s announcement will further accelerate growth and access to this market.

“As the total costs to connect devices to the IoT fall, the cost of modules becomes a key component in the equation”, said David Parker, Senior analyst at Beecham Research. “This announcement strengthens the IoT Service Provider approach Sigfox brings to the market, lowering the cost to connect, enabling more applications to be connected economically and further expanding the market.”

The first partners delivering the ultra-low cost modules include module manufacturer Wisol, who is already delivering samples based on ON Semiconductor single chip SoC and who will be starting mass production in January 2017. Additionally, InnoComm will be manufacturing modules based on NXP transceivers. Samples will be available from February 2017, with mass production starting in April 2017.
Sigfox has built a comprehensive supply chain of ecosystem partners that are developing, selling and supporting connected devices. These partners consist of semiconductor vendors, module makers, developers, design houses, Electronics Manufacturing Services/Original Design Manufacturers, device makers, and distributors.

Sigfox ecosystem partners will also be launching new modules to combine the Sigfox protocol with other complimentary connectivity protocols, such as WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Combining these protocols with Sigfox will deliver additional benefits and features that are required by many IoT applications. These additional low cost modules will be available in early 2017.

Stuart Lodge, Executive Vice President, global sales and partners at Sigfox, said, “We believe in a future where billions of connected devices have a role in our society and economic development. Dramatically reducing the cost of the low power devices means that we are able to make this belief a reality much quicker.”

JiHo, Kim, CEO at Wisol, said, “As a global module partner of Sigfox, we are very excited to launch the competitive module solution, ideal for limitless IoT opportunities. We are very confident that our module solutions will play a key role in enabling device makers to build IoT solutions very easily and quickly. We will keep strengthening our partnership with Sigfox to expand Sigfox’s global network and ecosystem.”

Paul Wang, General Manager at InnoComm, said, “The simplicity of the new specification makes it incredibly easy to build modules on the Sigfox network. It fundamentally moves proofs of concepts to mass market and high volume. This is essential to encouraging mass adoption particularly amongst product manufacturers seeking to become service providers.”

Learn more about Wisol and Innocomm’s solutions on the Sigfox Partner Network.


About Sigfox

Sigfox is the world’s leading provider of global communication solutions powering the Internet of Things (IoT). Its solutions introduce a game-changing approach for device-to-cloud communications by making it possible for devices to send and receive data over the Internet without the need to manage complex connections or SIM cards, as the Sigfox network and devices simply listen in and capture specifically formatted radio messages from around the globe, needing something as simple as a silicon chip that you find in a remote control. The unique Sigfox solutions enable devices to consume so little energy that soon batteries will become redundant and energy harvesting solutions will power data transmission.
The vision of the company is to “Make Things Come Alive.” By giving a voice to the physical world we live in, and connecting it to the Cloud, Sigfox allows objects to play a role in our social and economic development.
Currently present in 24 countries, and on track to reach over 60 by 2018, the Sigfox network today covers a population of 397 million people. Millions of connected objects are already registered on the network across all five continents, enabling companies to accelerate their digital transformation, develop new services and create value.
For more information, visit www.sigfox.com and follow us on Twitter @SIGFOX.


About Thinxtra
Thinxtra is empowering Australia and New Zealand’s Internet of Things by deploying SIGFOX world-leading LPWAN connectivity as well as building a full ecosystem of IoT solutions and services to enable the non-connected to connect, to increase productivity, accelerate decision making, improve quality of service and solve problems in an economic and connected manner.
Thinxtra was launched in 2015 and is backed by a consortium of strategic investors including cornerstone investor Rakon Limited, a NZX-listed high-tech leader in innovation of communications technology. The network roll out in Australia and New Zealand has commenced and is on track to meet its target of covering 95% of the ANZ population with SIGFOX connectivity by the end of 2017.
Follow us on Twitter @Thinxtra.
Thinxtra Contact:
Renald Gallis – VP Marketing & Ecosystem
[email protected]
+61 404 894 960

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