Australian IoT network operator Thinxtra has broadened its partnership with Sigfox, and will roll out an IoT network in Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) in 2017.

This agreement follows in the footsteps of a successful partnership in Australia and New Zealand in which Sigfox’s take on low-power wide area network connectivity for IoT devices has been deployed across both countries.

This move follows the Hong Kong government’s recognition of the importance of IoT in its digital agenda, which includes ‘Energizing Kowloon East’ – an initiative aimed at carrying out a pilot study in the district to determine the feasibility of developing a smart city.

Hong Kong will join 28 other countries that possess Sigfox connectivity, which allows physical devices to connect to the cloud at low cost and using minimal energy.

Thinxtra has recently established a solutions business in Hong Kong’s Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) and is looking for local partners to collaborate in device and solution design, and manufacturing.

Rodolphe Baronnet-Frugès, Sigfox executive vice president networks and operators, said in a statement: “Hong Kong as an innovation hub and technology centre, and as the gateway to China, will benefit greatly from the most advanced and mature global IoT network, and developing the local ecosystem will benefit all the other countries in the region.”

Thinxtra’s managing director for the Asia region, Murray Hankinson, added: “We have proven that we have a winning team that lives and breathes IoT, a world leading secure purpose-built technology in Sigfox and that we can achieve great things quickly and efficiently working with local partners and businesses.”

“This experience and forward thinking will serve us well in bringing the most mature IoT network to Hong Kong – territory-wide.

“We are excited by the opportunity to harness local talent and the technological community to expand the Sigfox ecosystem in support of Hong Kong’s local and global applications.”