Sigfox: where it still fits, and planning a move if it does not
Independent advice for teams that run Sigfox devices today or are weighing it for a new project: what changed, what to check with your operator, and how it compares with LoRaWAN, LTE-M and NB-IoT. We don't sell hardware, so our advice stays independent.
What Sigfox is and what changed
Sigfox is a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) for very small, infrequent messages from battery devices, such as meters, alarms and simple trackers. Devices send short messages in licence-free spectrum, and a network operator in each country carries them to the cloud.
Sigfox SA, the company behind the network, went into receivership in early 2022. A French commercial court then chose UnaBiz, previously a Sigfox operator in Asia, as the new owner. In September 2025 UnaBiz’s French companies entered a court-supervised reorganisation in France; UnaBiz said its other operations were not affected. Many national networks are run by separate local operators, so the position differs by country.
We do not predict how this ends. The practical point is to check the position in your own countries with your own operator, and to have a plan if it changes.
Sigfox against the alternatives
| Factor | Sigfox | LoRaWAN | LTE-M or NB-IoT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messages | Very small and infrequent | Small, with more flexibility | Larger, more frequent, two-way |
| Coverage | Operator coverage, varies by country | Public operators or your own gateways | Mobile operator coverage |
| Battery | Very long for infrequent messages | Long, depending on settings | Good with power saving modes, more energy per message |
| Infrastructure | None on site; operator network | None on a public network, or your own gateways | None on site; SIM and operator plan |
| Location | Coarse network location, or GNSS or Wi-Fi on the device | Coarse network location on some networks, or GNSS on the device | Cell-based location, or GNSS on the device |
| Cost drivers | Device and subscription per device | Device, plus gateways or network fees | Device, module, SIM and data plan |
| Supplier risk | One network owner; check your country operator | Open specification, many suppliers and operators | Standard mobile technology, many operators |
If you have Sigfox devices in the field
- Ask your operator about coverage, contract terms and their plans in each country where your devices run.
- List the estate. Which devices, where, on what firmware, with how much battery life left, and what each one reports.
- Check dual-mode options. Some modules and trackers support more than one network; others cannot change without replacing the device.
- Plan the move in stages, so a change on the network side does not stop the data your operations depend on.
The usual alternatives are LoRaWAN, on a public network or your own, and LTE-M or NB-IoT on a mobile operator. See LoRaWAN explained and public or private LoRaWAN.
How we help you choose devices and networks
- Requirements. Message size and frequency, battery life, location needs and the countries where devices run.
- Shortlist. Sigfox, LoRaWAN, LTE-M and NB-IoT, judged on your requirements, coverage and supplier risk.
- Site survey and coverage test. We measure coverage where devices actually sit, including basements, metal enclosures and remote sites.
- Pilot on rented equipment. A small batch of replacement or candidate devices, with pass and fail criteria agreed in writing first.
- Acceptance testing. We check the delivered devices and network against those criteria before you sign off.
We carry out the RF site survey and do the cabling and fit your hardware ourselves. Occasionally a delivery partner may help, but only with your written agreement and under a written contract. Your IT team provisions the network connections; we do not configure your networks or run your production systems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sigfox still working?
It depends on the country. Many national networks are run by separate local operators. In September 2025 UnaBiz’s French companies entered a court-supervised reorganisation in France; UnaBiz said its other operations were not affected. Check coverage and contract terms with your operator in each country, and keep a plan in case they change.
Should we start a new project on Sigfox?
Only with care. If the devices, coverage and price suit you and your operator can commit to terms, it can still work. For most new projects we would first compare it with LoRaWAN, LTE-M and NB-IoT, which have many suppliers and operators.
How do we move from Sigfox to LoRaWAN?
List the devices and what they report, choose a public or private LoRaWAN network, test coverage where the devices sit, pilot a replacement device, then replace in stages so data keeps flowing. See LoRaWAN consulting.
Do you sell Sigfox or LoRaWAN devices?
No. We advise, specify, help run the selection and accept the system on your side. You buy hardware and services direct from the supplier; we don't resell them.
Who installs it?
We carry out the RF site survey and do the cabling and fit your hardware ourselves. Occasionally a delivery partner may help, but only with your written agreement and under a written contract. Your IT team provisions the network connections; we do not configure your networks or run your production systems.
Last updated: 5 October 2026