At the World Cities Summit, SIGFOX, the world’s leading provider of dedicated communications service for the Internet of Things (IoT), ENGIE, the world’s No. 1 independent power producer, and UnaBiz, an IoT network operator, announced a strategic partnership and plan to deploy the SIGFOX global network in Singapore.
The partners expect SIGFOX’s cost-effective, energy-efficient connectivity to find receptive markets as Singapore implements its Smart Nation Initiative. This “whole-of-nation” program will include infrastructure, policies, ecosystem and capabilities to bring Smart Nation benefits to all citizens across many sectors.
Taking advantage of the simple and fast rollout of the network, which requires far lighter infrastructure than traditional wireless networks, the three partners expect to offer nationwide coverage by early 2017.
UnaBiz, the exclusive SIGFOX Network Operator in Singapore, will lead the nationwide rollout and drive the overall growth of SIGFOX’s IoT ecosystem in the republic.
“Singapore is SIGFOX’s first deployment in Asia and home to its regional headquarters. This is testament to Singapore’s strategic positioning as a leading global connectivity hub and a gateway for high-growth businesses to address the opportunities presented in this region,” said Meng Fai Tung, Deputy Director (Infocomms & Media) for the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). “The rollout of SIGFOX’s global network in Singapore with ENGIE and UnaBiz marks an important milestone in strengthening Singapore as a Smart Nation and global player in the Internet of Things. This partnership is a significant addition to Singapore’s digital infrastructure, and a catalyst for greater innovation in Singapore’s infocomm technology ecosystem.”
Henri Bong, CEO of UnaBiz, notes that the IoT will have a profound impact on the way citizens live, work and play: “The IoT will play a major role in building nations where citizens will live fulfilling lives that are richly supported by technology,” Bong said. “As the exclusive SIGFOX Network Operator in Singapore, we are very excited to roll out nationwide connectivity. We will leverage SIGFOX’s global ecosystem of world-leading component manufacturers, IT developers and integrators to help and establish Singapore as the ‘living lab’ of Asia.”
SIGFOX CEO Ludovic Le Moan said the company’s simple deployment, seamless connectivity and flexibility to conform to standards assure a rapid rollout in Singapore, and pave the way for multiple new applications in all business and industry sectors and smart-city uses.
“The IoT must have a global seamless network infrastructure to enable secure collection, transmission and sharing of that data and to address the total-cost-of-ownership barriers that delay its adoption,” Le Moan said. “Based on our experience in 21 countries where our network is already present and registers more than 7 million objects, we are confident that our proven solution and partner ecosystem will help Singapore to implement its Smart Nation Initiative quickly and successfully.”
“We choose to invest in the development of IoT in Singapore, because digital technology is a powerful asset that will help our local businesses to improve energy efficiency, facility management and customer-centered solutions,” said Isabelle Kocher, CEO of ENGIE. “In addition, Singapore’s dynamic innovation ecosystem and regional connectivity provides the right environment for us to pioneer IoT solutions in the region.”
In 2015, ENGIE acquired a minority stake in SIGFOX and established ENGIE M2M to act as the exclusive national network operator of SIGFOX’s connectivity solution in Belgium. In other countries, ENGIE is also a user of SIGFOX solutions, for different use projects under development, such as remote monitoring of boilers, metering in heat distribution and smart lighting.
In 2016, SIGFOX plans to have coverage in more than 30 countries with its network.
About SIGFOX
SIGFOX is the world’s leading provider of dedicated connectivity for the Internet of Things. The company’s network complements existing high-bandwidth systems by providing simple, economical, energy-efficient two-way transmission of small packets of data over long distances, thus lowering barriers to wide implementation of IoT solutions to un-precedent levels by greatly extending the battery and service life of connected devices. Currently deployed or being rolled out in 22 countries and registering over 7 million devices in its network, SIGFOX is today the only commercially available IoT-dedicated connectivity solution that guarantees a high level of service and reliability on an international scale via one stop contract and one stop service management. Corporate headquarters are in France, and the company has offices in Boston, Dubai, Madrid, Munich, San Francisco and Singapore.
SIGFOX opened its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 2016 as part of its plan to rapidly expand its network in the region.
For more information, see www.SIGFOX.com and follow us on Twitter @SIGFOX.
About UnaBiz
UnaBiz Network Pte Ltd (UnaBiz), is the exclusive operator of the SIGFOX network in Singapore. As the SIGFOX Network Operator (SNO), Unabiz plans to deploy a nation-wide IoT network in Singapore to enable low power, long range, cost-effective and simple-to-use connectivity for compatible devices. The network will be open and public, giving qualified IoT channels, service providers, SME and large enterprises and government agencies, equal access in order to promote a vibrant and competitive market place. For more information, see www.UnaBiz.com and follow us on Twitter @UnaBizIoT.
About ENGIE
ENGIE develops its businesses (power, natural gas, and energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take on the major challenges of energy’s transition to a low-carbon economy: access to sustainable energy, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, and the rational use of resources. The Group provides individuals, cities and businesses with highly efficient and innovative solutions largely based on its expertise in four key sectors: renewable energy, energy efficiency, liquefied natural gas and digital technology. ENGIE employs 154,950 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €69.9 billion in 2015. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe, DJSI World, DJSI Europe and Euronext Vigeo (Eurozone 120, Europe 120 and France 20).
ENGIE has been operating in Singapore for over 20 years, where it employs around 1,600 employees. Besides offering energy efficiency and facility management services, ENGIE trades a wide range of energy financial products as well as LNG, conducts R&D projects and holds a 30 per cent stake in Senoko Energy, which is the largest electricity generator in the country.
For more information, see www.engie.com and follow us on Twitter @ENGIEGroup.
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