Sigfox
A proprietary LPWAN technology using unlicensed spectrum, designed for tiny messages from very low-power devices.
Sigfox devices send a few short messages a day (up to 12 bytes each) to a network run by Sigfox or a partner in each country. The original company ran into financial difficulties in 2022 and the technology was taken over by UnaBiz. Coverage depends on the country.
Why it matters for business
Modules are very cheap and batteries last for years, but messages are tiny, sending data back to the device is very limited, and each country usually has a single network provider. Check coverage and the provider's long-term plans before a large rollout.