South Africa’s Top 3 Most Powerful Internet of Things Companies

A universe of linked devices, services and people is the key to a new era of competitiveness.

Imagine a universe of intelligent products, processes and services that communicate with each other and with people over the internet.

From smartphones and smart meters to medical devices and sensors, connected devices collect data that creates efficiencies and reduces waste for consumers and companies alike. The Internet of Things (IoT)will transform companies and countries, opening a new era of economic growth and competitiveness, according to the global consulting firm Accenture.

Researcher IDC predicts that the IoT market will reach $7 billion in 2020 and vendors are continuing to invest in various segments of the internet of things (IoT).

Just imagine sitting at your desk in the office and controlling the appliances in your home ready for the end of the day. You could switch on the heating or find out what’s in the fridge for dinner. When you arrive home, and sit down in your favourite chair while your partner is travelling on business, they might be able to give you a hug through the chair.

That’s IoT.

Soon, if not already, IoT will move beyond the buzzword that’s set to arrive in the future.

There are already real-world IoT solutions, such as SqwidNet’s Sens’it IoT device, that enables users through SqwidNet’s IoT network to measure things such as temperature, sound, movement an accelerometer and monitor if/when a door opens and lights if are still on, etc.

Soon, we will have companies that provide more IoT solutions for your connected home and health care, plus cars, etc, but we need companies that can create an enabling environment by developing an IoT infrastructure in South Africa.

Here are the most 3 powerful South African IoT firms, in no particular order, creating a network infrastructure for connected or IoT devices to watch:

Vula Telematix

Vula Telematix has deep experience and credentials in building successful networks.

Out of the Vula Group, WBS was born as the first dedicated wireless data network in the country which built the network which connected Uthingo, the first National Lottery in South Africa

Vula Telematix is enabling the Internet of Things in South Africa.

Vula Telematix, is a provider of “The Machine Network SA”, the first public telecommunications network in the country exclusively for the machine to machine communications.

The Machine Network operates on a universal spectrum, using patented Random Phase Multiple Access (RPMA) technology and is the proven standard for connecting Internet of Things (IoT).

The company has announced the availability of the Machine Network in Drakenstein Municipality in Paarl, Cape Town, where it will provide a multitude of smart energy services which will enable limitless opportunities for future smart grid and smart city initiatives.

Vula Telematix has already aligned with local development partners such as Smart grid Technologies, DarioZone, and PTSI to build IoT Solutions for the local market.

These and many other development partners are building IoT solutions that will address many gaps in our market.

Comsol

South Africa’s Comsol is deploying IoT network on the back of its R1.5 billion open access layer 2 national network investment and is expected to be available for sensor service termination this month in the major metros.

The network is backed by a global alliance and driven by global tech giants Cisco and IBM.

The firm is planning to introduce Africa’s largest Low Power WAN, helping the continent’s devices to connect.

The Comsol IoT network will be deployed on the back of Comsol’s R1,5 Billion Open Access Layer 2 National network investment and will be available for sensor service termination by February 2017 in the major metros.

SqwidNet

South Africa’s SqwidNet is fast-tracking the deployment of its open-access Internet of Things (IoT) network infrastructure to enable developers to provide intelligent solutions to solve problems faced by their clients.

SqwidNet’s IoT network has been deployed across all of South Africa’s eight major metros and cover more than 49% of the population, and expected to exceed 85% population coverage by the end of the year. For more read: SqwidNet’s IoT Network Goes Nationwide, Now Covers All South African Cities

The SqwidNet’s IoT network is being built on technology developed by France’s Sigfox, which is a mobile style system that is able to listen to billions of objects broadcasting data, without the need to establish and maintain network connections.

SqwidNet’s IoT network has been deployed across all of South Africa’s eight major metros and cover more than 49% of the population, and will exceed 85% population coverage by the end of the year.

SqwidNet is keen to expand its network to the rest of Africa, its CEO, Reshaad Sha, said on Tuesday.

The operator uses Sigfox technology to deploy IoT network, which 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.

This makes the Sigfox technology most suitable for Africa’s conditions.

The IoT network operators that attempt to tackle the African market will find a matured market is estimated that by 2025 to have tripled internet penetration to about 600 million people opening new opportunities, such as deployment of IoT solutions.