The applications enabled by IoT are poised to be implemented in areas with poor service delivery, according to SqwidNet managing director Phathizwe Malinga.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the 2018 MyBroadband Conference, Malinga explained that customers are continuously expecting more from businesses, and digitisation is a key factor that will enable companies to meet these demands.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe power has shifted to the consumer. You now have the power of choice,\u201d Malinga said. \u201cYou don\u2019t stick around with a company that is not improving their products for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
While this drives increasing competition and makes it more difficult for businesses to break into mainstream markets, Malinga said that there is a gap waiting for IoT-based services in the low-end consumer market.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are a small-to-medium enterprise or entrepreneur, worry about the unserviced market,\u201d he said. \u201cUse technology to reach the unreachable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Potential customers in the unserviced market may not have medical aid, power, plumbing, or other amenities.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, Malinga said that businesses should leverage IoT technology to supply needs in this market due to the strong demand and lack of competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to propose IoT as a technology you can use at the core of your business,\u201d Malinga said. \u201cIt is not capital-intensive, and the battery life of IoT devices allow them to be implemented in unserviced areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
SqwidNet, as the licensed Sigfox network operator in South Africa, has impressive coverage of the South African population, allowing applications to have a broader reach into unserviced areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cSqwidNet has over 85% population coverage, we reach the unreachable,\u201d Malinga said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIoT also enables ease of installation and low maintenance requirements, it can be used to enable a number of products and services.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that businesses who launch IoT-based services in this market will have no competition, and they will be able to provide basic products at a low initial capital cost due to the low price of IoT technology.<\/p>\n