A Sigfox and LoRa dual-mode hybrid smart water meter is being planned by a partnership between Chinese meter maker Kaifa and massive IoT service provider UnaBiz.

The two companies aim to accelerate the global deployment of smart water metering empowered by Sigfox technology, as well as developing a hybrid unit.

“Kaifa is proud to join forces with UnaBiz in this transformative endeavour,” said Henry Chan, global sales director of Kaifa. “By leveraging UnaBiz’s renowned expertise in bespoke IoT, and the tremendous potential for energy-efficiency enabled by the Sigfox 0G technology, we aim to bring to the market high-quality advanced water metering that is not only accurate and reliable but also cost-competitive, scalable and environmentally friendly to the water metering sector.”

Loic Barrancourt, chief commercial officer of UnaBiz, added: “We are excited to partner with Kaifa, a leader in advanced metering infrastructure, to not only drive efficiency but also promote sustainability, making a positive impact on communities worldwide. Kaifa’s quality excellence and UnaBiz’s design capabilities are key ingredients to bringing an integrated fit-for-purpose solution to end customers to enable massive IoT. We look forward to working closely with Kaifa to bring on a new era of efficiency and sustainability in the realm of water resource management.”

The dynamic duo has already achieved success in various parts of the globe even before the official partnership announcement. Most recently, Iguá Saneamento, a Brazilian water and sewerage services supplier, has partnered with Kaifa and WND Brazil to roll out 120,000 smart water meters powered by Sigfox technology.

“Sigfox 0G technology’s energy-efficient design aligns with Iguá Saneamento’s commitment to sustainability,” said Jose Almeida, deputy chief executive officer of WND Brazil. “Reduced power consumption and extended device lifecycles ultimately contribute to a greener and more eco-conscious future. We are certain the collaboration between UnaBiz and Kaifa will pave the way for smarter, more sustainable solutions in water resource management across the globe.”

UnaBiz (www.unabiz.com) and Kaifa (en.kaifa.cn) hope their combined global footprint will allow the partners to address the needs of diverse markets. The pair will focus on Europe, Middle East, and Central and South America.