Tele2 strengthens IoT security credentials with Kombridge buy

 Tele2 acquired Sweden-based Kombridge to bolster its range of security services related to the Internet of Things (IoT).

 

The Tele2 IoT unit will be able to strengthen its security portfolio through the Kombridge Connect security product, and will also take over the company’s current customer base, product portfolio as well as its six employees.

 

Kombridge also provide connected device management and application management for IoT applications and services.

 

Rami Avidan, managing director of Tele2 IoT, said: “The two companies have worked close to each other for a long time. Hence, we know each other well and are very confident that our combined strengths will make us an even stronger global IoT player with high value creation for our customers and partners.”

 

Tele2 is placing an increasingly strong focus on IoT. In May for example, the Sweden-based operator announced a partnership with IBM that will see the two companies offer an IoT ‘starter kit’ to enterprises.

 

Under the agreement, Tele2 will provide global connectivity and related services, while IBM will supply its Watson IoT platform and consulting solutions.

 

Tele2 also previously revealed it will deploy an IoT network in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city.

 

The operator partnered with Swiss managed IoT services provider TalkPool to roll out a network based on the LoRaWAN standard, providing cheap, long-range communication between battery-operated devices.

 

In other IoT-related announcements, Tele2 recently won a three-year contract to provide connectivity to 1-Fleet Alliance, a 17-strong group of telematics providers spread across Europe.

 

Machina Research CEO Matt Hatton said in August that Tele2 is “ focusing more on the horizontal connectivity part” of the IoT market, while other operators such as Vodafone “are pursuing applications aggressively”.

 

The research company predicted that IoT connections in the world – and associated revenues – will grow fourfold between 2015 and 2025, providing a money-making opportunity for telcos, particularly those with experience in enterprise IT services.

 

Global IoT connections will reach 27 billion in 2025, up from 6 billion last year, according to Machina Research’s figures. Over the same period, the IoT revenue opportunity will grow to US$3 trillion from $750 billion.