Sigfox, a global communication solutions provider, has announced that it has worked with an international ecosystem of partners to create ultra-low cost IoT communication modules, Sigfox certified, and ready to use for as little as $2.00 for European, Middle East and African markets, and less than $3.00 for American and Asian markets.
The company says that device-to-cloud communication is now possible without connections, as the Sigfox network and devices simply listen in and capture specifically formatted messages from around the world, needing only a simple silicon chip.
To achieve this extremely low cost per device, Sigfox says it worked with its partners to optimize every aspect of the design and specification down to the silicon level. The module specifications are also royalty free to ensure the lowest possible cost, whilst encouraging even greater levels of innovation.
“As the total costs fall to connect devices to the IoT, the cost of modules becomes a key component in the equation,” said David Parker, senior research analyst, 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.”
Sigfox ecosystem partners will also be launching new modules to combine the Sigfox protocol with other complimentary connectivity protocols, such as Wi-Fi & 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
“Today's announcement reflects the power of our partner ecosystem, which enables low cost devices and accelerates the mass production of Sigfox compatible modules and devices,” said Stuart Lodge, Executive Vice President, global sales and partners, Sigfox. “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. Sigfox continues to focus on lowering the barriers to IoT mass adoption by working with the entire ecosystem, including all silicon and device partners. We will keep expanding and supporting our ecosystem partners to overcome the cost challenges and make new solutions available that the market requires.”
Edited by
Alicia Young
