Vodacom connects to the fast lane
After four years, company’s ‘internet of things’ business generates R800m a year in revenue
At a little more than four years old, Vodacom’s "internet of things" (IoT) business was already generating R800m a year in revenue and "accelerating very fast", group CEO Shameel Joosub said this week. The division, which was previously called "machine-to-machine", linked 3.3-million physical objects with the internet at the end of September – a 25% increase from a year before. Its contribution to the top line has edged up to about 1% of Vodacom’s turnover. The unit generated similar margins to the traditional cellular business, Joosub said. "With the IoT and the new network and platforms, it’s accelerating very fast – we’re doing over 60,000 connections a month now." Joosub expects to see rapid growth in the use of sensors, which can be used to monitor anything from water pipe leaks to the whereabouts of children and pets. Rival telecommunications firm Telkom said last week that IoT was a "strategic focus area" for subsidiary BCX. More than 100,000 devices and sensors were already ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.