OREANDA-NEWS. ENGIE announces today the launch of “ENGIE M2M”, a company that will install, operate and maintain the Sigfox cellular network in Belgium, dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT). Within two years, customers will be able to enjoy scalable and low-cost Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication services.

Smart technologies open up new frontiers for utilities

ENGIE believes that the IoT will open up new fields of development. For this reason, the Group participated in Sigfox’s recent 100 M€ round of funding that closed in February 2015. On May 28th, Cofely Services – ENGIE Group – announced a partnership with Sigfox to enhance its services for building management. Within three years, over 100,000 objects should be connected, enabling the Group to save energy and develop new services to make buildings smarter and more efficient.

“We want to take a strong position in the Internet of Things industry. The creation of this new company “ENGIE M2M”, which represents 4 M€ investment, demonstrates also our commitment to Belgium, an historical market for the Group” says Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE.

Electrabel will also examine opportunities to integrate the IoT within its B2B and B2C solutions, providing value for money to its customers.

The Internet of objects transforms entire businesses

Approximately 3.9 billion connected objects were in use in the world in 2014 and this figure is expected to rise to 25 billion by 20201. The IoT will dramatically transform the scope of entire industries. For utilities, the IoT should enable the development of new businesses and applications such as smart metering, water-leak detection, smart-building management and green mobility.

By lowering barriers to a more widespread implementation of IoT and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity, it will allow Belgian customers to connect billions of devices.

About ENGIE

ENGIE develops its businesses (power, natural gas, energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take on the major challenges of energy’s transition to a low-carbon economy: access to sustainable energy, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, security of supply and the rational use of resources. The Group provides individuals, cities and businesses with highly efficient and innovative solutions largely based on its expertise in four key sectors: renewable energy, energy efficiency, liquefied natural gas and digital technology. ENGIE employs 152,900 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €74.7 billion in 2014. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (GSZ) and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe and Euronext Vigeo (World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120 and France 20).