Heliot Europe Expands Sigfox 0G Network Significantly in the DACH Region

Heliot, Europe’s largest Sigfox 0G network operator, has reached important milestones in the network rollout in Switzerland, Slovenia, and Austria. The planning, coordination, and operation of the network are centrally managed through a Shared Service Center (Heliot SSC). The Heliot strategy “We got you covered” allows for a rapid, demand-driven expansion of the network for customer applications.

(Bern/Ljubljana/Vienna/Munich) Area coverage and population coverage as a fundamental strategic approach, additional densification at key traffic points, and demand-oriented expansion tailored to customer requirements: Heliot Europe achieved important milestones in network expansion in June, thereby solidifying its position as the largest Sigfox IoT network operator in Europe.

Switzerland

Since July 2021, the Sigfox 0G network in Switzerland covers over 90 percent of inhabited areas and logistically utilized spaces, thus relevant areas for IoT applications – a new peak value that, in conjunction with international roaming and a wide range of devices, underpins Sigfox’s leading position in the IoT infrastructure sector and has already convinced several important customers from logistics, trade, and industry. The uncomplicated pan-European integration was often decisive here – alongside the favorable investment and operating costs.

Slovenia

Just under ten months ago, Heliot Europe launched here in Slovenia on the sunny side of the Alps. By the end of June, Heliot Slovenia had reached the goal of 50 percent of the planned network build for 2021/2022. In the southernmost country in the region covered by Heliot Europe, the topic of Smart Cities plays a significant role for IoT applications. For the second half of the network expansion, Heliot will recruit new partners for the development of radio sites for even faster expansion, should this become necessary.

Austria

The Alpine Republic is catching up and is already opening up a new valley region almost every week. Currently, a large part of the Austrian population in the most important urban and rural supply areas for industry, technology, and agriculture is already covered. Major customers such as the Austrian Post are already using the Sigfox 0G network for their applications.

Germany

The largest of the four countries in the Heliot region is also expanding its network: after covering about 90 percent of the total population with the 0G network last autumn, Heliot Europe is now working on densification in urban areas, especially for major customers from the logistics and retail sectors.

Central Planning and Implementation of Network Expansion

The company behind the planning of the expansion, Heliot SSC, operates in various areas: network planning and construction are important service components of the company. But operation and maintenance of 0G network infrastructure are also offered – as well as billing and reporting for network operations. This allows the company to adapt, expand, and make IoT infrastructure and services for customers operational even faster. “Following our strategy ‘We got you covered’, we offer a rapid and demand-oriented network expansion – we have successfully proven this with our major customers from logistics and retail,” says Thomas Scheibel, CEO of Heliot Europe.

Global Upward Trend Leads to New Sigfox Networks

Today, the global Sigfox 0G network for IoT is available in 72 countries worldwide – with iWire, an IoT network provider, the 0G network will soon be offered in additional countries. With $34 million from a Series A financing, the establishment of Sigfox networks in 12 new countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa is planned. iWire had already established and expanded the Sigfox network in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, and with the additional funds, the company aims to expand its network coverage to new markets such as India, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, and Tunisia. Starting next year, iWire will also extend its network to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with a few more countries in the Middle East and Africa on the agenda.
Photo: © Heliot / Image Caption: Thomas Scheibel, CEO of Heliot Europe