SqwidNet, a subsidiary of Dark Fibre Africa and a licensed Sigfox operator, is making inroads with the deployment of its Internet of Things (IoT) network and now provides coverage into eight South African metropolitan areas.
Since its launch in November 2016, SqwidNet has successfully deployed its ultra-narrowband IoT radio network in eight metropolitan areas, namely Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, eThekwini, Mangaung, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, the City of Johannesburg, and the City of Cape Town.
This represents around 38% of the South African population today, and the network will grow to cover over 85% of the South African population within the next year.
The network is a critical component of the IoT ecosystem that enables low-cost, low-power, and highly secure connectivity for IoT data transmission upon which IoT devices, platforms, applications, and solutions can be developed.
“We are deploying a network that makes it possible for any industry to connect things, create value, and ultimately, enable innovation”, says Reshaad Sha, CEO at SqwidNet.
The network is being expanded to cover all the national roads as SqwidNet focuses on providing solutions to key verticals, including utilities, transport and logistics, security, supply chain, and retail services.