Eseye Win Multi-Year IoT Deal with MTN

In a groundbreaking move, MTN South Africa has entered into a multi-year partnership with Eseye, a global IoT connectivity solutions provider. This partnership is set to redefine the landscape of IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity in the African region.

This exciting collaboration promises to enhance capabilities. It will also introduce innovative solutions to MTN South Africa’s extensive customer base of 36.5 million subscribers.

A Strategic Alliance for Digital Transformation

The cornerstone of this partnership lies in MTN South Africa’s decision to adopt Eseye’s global eSIM and IoT platform solution.

This choice comes after an exhaustive and competitive tendering process, during which Eseye’s Integra IoT Platform for mobile operators emerged as the victor.

The primary objective of this strategic alliance is to propel MTN South Africa into a position of leadership as a digital platform within the African continent.

Lawrence Juku, Head of IoT Solutions at MTN Business, shared his vision for the collaboration, saying, “We aim to become Africa’s top digital platform by providing financial and digital solutions that boost economic growth for people and businesses of all sizes. Our strategic partnership with Eseye will enable us to offer a diverse range of IoT services, including connectivity, IoT bundles, and value-added services to meet our customers’ global IoT needs.”

Also Read, ABI Research: 220M NLC Units to Illuminate Smart Buildings by 2030

Empowering IoT Connectivity with Eseye’s Integra IoT Platform

Eseye’s Integra IoT Platform is poised to drive the next generation of MTN’s IoT connectivity solution. It will streamline the onboarding and connection of millions of IoT devices.

Beyond managing connectivity, MTN is gearing up to provide a spectrum of value-added IoT services through Eseye. This move aims to elevate its service portfolio.

The rollout of Eseye’s solution is scheduled to commence in South Africa. There are ambitious plans for expansion across 18 operating companies throughout Africa.

This expansion will empower each operating company to tailor the solution to meet its specific market demands. It will also allow for seamless integration with MTN’s existing infrastructure.

A Global Vision for IoT Connectivity

This partnership is not confined to the African continent alone. It positions MTN to support customers with new IoT device connections not only within Africa but also on an international scale.

This strategic move underscores MTN’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. It also aims to ensure compliance with emerging standards and regulations in the ever-evolving IoT landscape.

Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye, expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating, “We are proud to have received this multi-year agreement from MTN, which is a big deal for Eseye.

It shows that not only our technology but also our knowledge of IoT is top-notch. This agreement includes a complicated technical process, and we’ve already put in a lot of effort into getting the technical project started. We’ll keep working on it in the coming months.”

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Reshaping the IoT Landscape

Eseye’s comprehensive IoT connectivity solutions, combined with MTN’s ambitious IoT goals, hold the promise of reshaping the IoT landscape. This transformation will not be limited to Africa but will extend beyond its borders.

This partnership signifies a significant stride toward creating a more connected future. It also aims to empower businesses and consumers across the African continent with digital capabilities.

“We’re delighted that MTN, one of our oldest partners, has trusted Eseye to provide a new global eSIM and IoT Platform. This will assist their customers in reaching their IoT goals. We’ve already started the work, and we’re looking forward to what the future brings,” Earle said.

The partnership between MTN South Africa and Eseye represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of IoT connectivity, promising to bring cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to millions of users across Africa and the world.

Both companies, with their shared vision and commitment, are ready to lead the way in the continent’s digital transformation.

ABI Research: 220M NLC Units to Illuminate Smart Buildings by 2030

Network Lighting Control (NLC) predicts to play an important role in the design of smart buildings. This is particularly relevant when stakeholders, such as energy companies, building owners, and regulators, aim to enhance building performance. Additionally, it holds significance in improving the overall appeal of buildings, making it an important consideration for these stakeholders.

According to a report from ABI Research, the deployment of connected equipment in smart buildings is expected to reach nearly 20 million by the year 2030. This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.6 percent, highlighting the significant growth potential in this sector.

NLC allows for intelligent control and control of lighting systems in buildings and provides additional benefits when paired with LED light.

Integrating lighting control and sensors to monitor light levels and occupancy levels increases the efficiency of energy. This integration also brings advantages in terms of occupant comfort and safety. Additionally, it enables efficient use of space and enhances the overall aesthetics of the building.

The growing use of wireless connectivity also facilitates the acceptance of NLC in buildings of all sizes and shapes.

Jonathan Collins, Research Director for Smart Homes and Buildings at ABI Research, emphasizes the importance of smart lighting to be a first purchase in the smart building market noting its widespread use for commercial buildings.

With a range of dynamic offerings and simplified installation and maintenance processes, NLC is expanding the capabilities of smart buildings. Collins adds, “This expansion goes beyond large-scale or high-profile projects, making NLC accessible to a wider range of building types and sizes.”

Different market players, such as established lighting companies like Signify as well as Acuity Brands — as additionally NLC providers such as Casambi, Enlighted, INGY, Silvair, and Wirepas and Wirepas — are harnessing wireless technology to accelerate the use of NLC in construction and retrofitting projects.

The installation, configuration, and reconfiguration of NLC systems are now performed by engineers using smartphones. This eliminates the need for dedicated network cabling and complicated topologies traditionally associated with such installations.

However, there is a problem with the NLC market. It is currently a split landscape that includes multiple methods and ecosystems of vendors. The fragmented nature of the market poses challenges in terms of standardization and compatibility among different NLC systems and providers.

Despite the ongoing efforts to build unifying ecosystems for NLC clients, they still face the challenge. This challenge involves evaluating various techniques, methods, and solutions to determine the most suitable options.

Their objective is to determine the optimal solution that meets their current and future smart building needs. This process involves carefully assessing and comparing different options to make an informed decision.

This study (paywall) from ABI Research provides valuable insights into the NLC market and outlines the new opportunities for intelligent lighting for buildings.