Canadian telco Telus in partnership with Eseye aims to provide businesses with seamless cellular IoT connectivity to 700 networks across 190 countries.

The launch of Global Connect is part of a growing partnership between Telus and UK firm Eseye, a pioneer of IoT connectivity management, and includes a Telus Ventures investment in Eseye of $26.3m.

Telus Global Connect will let Telus customers customise and manage IoT device connectivity on cellular networks around the globe. Combined with Telus’ anticipation of increasing market demand for cloud virtualisation of services, this partnership complements Telus’ tools, capabilities and momentum to respond to and anticipate and leverage the combined requirements for emerging services and global reach.

“We are constantly striving to provide better value and more flexibility to Telus IoT customers, who already enjoy access to Canada’s largest dedicated IoT network,” said Mike Cihra, Telus vice president. “Now, Telus Global Connect delivers a platform for customers to enjoy that same reliable connectivity beyond Canada’s borders in nearly every country on the planet.”

More than a standalone platform, Global Connect fulfils demands for an enterprise-grade network operation powering products and services from connectivity through to built-in security and support. By simplifying access to global networks, it removes a barrier to international expansion for many businesses.

“As evidence of our tireless commitment to help transform our customers’ organisations, our partnership for IoT connectivity management acknowledges the global nature and requirements of so many of our customers’ operations, and is a clear signal of our intention to invest to satisfy those requirements, as our customers progress on their journeys to grow their businesses internationally,” said Cihra.

Eseye was selected to enrich the Telus IoT offering as it delivers near 100% white-labelled, global IoT connectivity management across 700 mobile networks in 190 countries. Telus IoT customers will have access to localised IoT networks in key markets around the world, enabling them to offer competitive pricing, lower latency for data and application function, and a host of additional network features such as high availability, continuity of service, and resiliency that are critical to IoT users.

The platform also delivers options for integration with AWS and Microsoft Azure, providing flexibility for users and developers to integrate their own cloud-based services.

“This strategic partnership and investment in Eseye marks an inflection point for the company,” said Nick Earle, CEO of Eseye. “Our many years at the leading edge of cellular IoT connectivity have seen us deliver value to more than 2000 customers across the globe. This partnership validates our technology platform and goal to provide ubiquitous, cellular connectivity to devices anywhere in the world. We’re excited to be working with Telus to deliver this new global IoT capability to their customers.”

Global Connect offers IoT users a single SIM with multi-IMSI carrier profiles, a single contract, and a single platform and connectivity partner to simplify and optimise global IoT deployments. Telus’ eSIM partnership with Eseye enables development potential in the near term, including connecting and managing a range of OEM devices and alternative hardware platforms, enabling a return on users’ own investments in their mobile and fixed device fleets. Further, users have always-on access to the Telus IoT centre of excellence, and a dedicated support team to help with everything from onboarding to technical troubleshooting.

The $26.3m investment by Telus Ventures will enable Eseye to drive product development, customer success, and expand sales and marketing activities to meet growing demand from enterprises for reliable global cellular IoT connectivity.

“Telus is a leader in IoT connectivity and technologies in Canada, and this investment in Eseye will help to expand our IoT leadership across the globe, delivering our customers best-in-class IoT,” said Rich Osborn, president and managing partner at Telus Ventures. “Eseye’s innovative technologies and proven leadership in the IoT connectivity space make the company an excellent fit with Telus and, together, brings a formidable strength to the global market.”