Sigfox has brought its LPWAN network to Antarctica to help a Belgian climate change research team track the safety and security of its members.
The deployment marks the first time an Internet of Things network has been deployed in the continent. Typically communication across Antarctica is limited to short-range radio and satellite networks.
The technology will aid the Belgian-led Belare expedition, which is based in the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Research Station. Sigfox is working with Belgian start-up Sensolus, which is providing 45 GPS trackers with long-life batteries. The trackers are connected via Sigfox’s ultra-narrowband tech with two antennas installed at the research station.
Researchers face temperatures as low at -90°C, with the continent’s katabatic winds reaching speeds of 250 km/h. The team of glaciologists, climatologists and geomorphologists are working on understanding climate change and its effects on the planet.
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Rachid Touzani, Director of the Belgian Polar Secretariat, said: “This partnership will allow us to test technology that could be useful for the safety of our operations in Antarctica. However, the security of women and men we send to Antarctica to implement key scien-tific projects for the preservation of mankind is a top priority for the Belgian Polar Secretariat.
“In addition, this collaboration perfectly answers our ongoing commitment to include the industrial world in our development projects.”
The project comes amid the launch of the Sigfox Foundation, which aims to bring IoT networks to non-profit and humanitarian causes.
Ludovic Le Moan, Sigfox CEO, said: “The Belare expedition is just one example of the many, many ways that Sigfox can support programs that protect people and the environment, improve health care and establish social ties, with its network and the best associated resources from partnering with startups and device-makers.”
Last year, Sigfox launched its LPWAN network into six new countries. It is now working with more than 1,000 partners.