Question 1

What is 0G?

Accepted Answer

What is 1G 2G 3G 4G and 5G? The ‘G’ here stands for the Generations of mobile network. 0G or otherwise known as ‘zero generation’ is essentially about using radio telephone, that is pre-cellular.

In current times, 0G network is represented by an array of Low Power Wide Area Network (low-bandwidth wireless network) that is specifically designed to connect simple, low-powered IoT devices to the Internet, cost efficiently, at a massive scale.

Question 2

Why go for low bandwidth when there is high bandwidth 4G (even 5G) network available?

Accepted Answer

There are very different use cases for such a low bandwidth network. Low bandwidth network’s main application is in sensing modules for data collection and analytics which are measured in bytes. This provides cost savings up to 90% as compared to the more expensive 4G network.

Question 3

Will my devices work abroad, outside of Singapore and Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Any device equipped with Sigfox proprietary chipset will be able to ‘roam’ freely in countries with operational Sigfox network. There are currently 71 countries on the list and it’s still going up!

Question 4

How secure is the Sigfox network?

Accepted Answer

The unique thing about this network is that there is no synchronization between base station and device. Instead, the device broadcasts radio signals to multiple base stations close by through random frequency. This means that hackers would not be able to gain access into Sigfox network backend. Furthermore, there is a restricted downlink and devices choose when to communicate and at which frequency, which protects it from hackers sending targeted malicious commands.

Question 5

Can we run a cyber attack by hacking a Sigfox device?

Accepted Answer

-No. Sigfox devices do not have an IP address. They are not connected to the Internet. They cannot be used as a vector of attack of a global system. What happened with baby monitors (massive DDoS attack on Dynn servers) could not, by nature, happen through Sigfox devices.

-Sigfox devices can send 12 bytes at a time and receive up to 32 bytes a day >> downloading malware on Sigfox devices becomes impossible.

Question 6

What are security recommendations and support Sigfox and operators are bringing to enterprises willing to deploy an end to end solution?

Accepted Answer

We are applying the same security best practices we are recommending our customer:
1) Security by default (no IP devices)
2) Security by design: running risk evaluation of our overall system, implementing security countermeasures:
-DDoS protection
-Authentication / Integrity / Confidentiality of data transiting from a device to an application
-Continuous improvement: yearly penetration tests and cybersecurity audit

Leverage on Sigfox partners: Sigfox is partnering with Kudelski Security consulting, expert in security expertise and risk evaluation. Sigfox customers can benefit from this expertise.

Question 7

What are risk mitigations against the vulnerabilities Sigfox customers might face?

Accepted Answer

Data vulnerabilities is about integrity (data sent are the data received: forged message detection), confidentiality (sensitive data cannot be intercepted)
- By design, Sigfox provides AES 128 based message authentication, an anti-replay mechanism
- Optionally, Sigfox provides a payload encryption mechanism from the device to the cloud. Customers can then implement data confidentiality when required by their sensitive application.

Physical security, Sigfox has built a network of partners and experts in security (ST Micro, WiseKey, Trusted Objects), who can provide additional tamper resistant security using secure elements in the device (protect credentials).

Question 8

What are the Sigfox network specifications?

Accepted Answer

Sigfox network operates on license-free sub-GHz ISM band using Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) modulation to exchange radio messages over the air. Messages are transferred at a data rate of 100 or 600 bits/s, depending on region. The combination of UNB modulation and low bit rate allows the network to achieve high network capacity and high sensitivity of its receivers, enabling long range transmission.

Frequency bands: 920.8Mhz Uplink, 922.3Mhz Downlink (License-free ISM band)
Messages: Up to 140 uplink messages per device per day up and 4 downlink messages per device per day (Downlink requires device to initiate)
Maximum Payload format per message: 12 bytes uplink from device, 8 bytes downlink to device (Device ID Key and time stamp are included in the Sigfox message header)
Data rate: 600 bits per second
Maximum power radiated per device: 24 dBm (ERP)
Battery life: Up to 15 years depending on number of connections, sensor type and size
Subscription fee: as low as US$1 /device/year (depending on volume of devices and number of connections per day)

*List of countries in RCZ4: Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan

Question 9

What is the uptime of the network and how stable is it?

Accepted Answer

Through the unique Sigfox network design, the network availability is very high at 99.8% where there is coverage. As devices broadcast radio signals, multiple base stations within proximity are able to pick up these packets. Sigfox backend would then send only an instant of it to the destination set. Since there are multiple base stations around, in the event of a single failure, there are many others around to pick up the packets. The more base stations are installed, the more stable the network will be.

Question 10

As a device maker, is there a need to specifically design the product for different wavebands (Eg. Europe standards vs Asia vs US)?

Accepted Answer

No. The marvel of this network is that it runs on the same band globally. There is no need to design different models of your product for different countries. Any device working under Singapore’s Sigfox network would work similarly in other countries.

Question 11

What is the price of the network?

Accepted Answer

Similar to most network operators, the higher the bandwidth required the pricier it would be. However, Sigfox network is so low cost that the price of the network would mostly be bundled into the device itself. The individual cost of the network starts as low as $1- $12 per annum.

Question 12

I have 1,000,000 devices, do I have to conduct maintenance for them over the years?

Accepted Answer

Thankfully no. These Sigfox connected devices are always designed to run seamlessly in the background for years or decades without the need for human interference. You can update devices wireless through the cloud network. This takes out the cost of maintenance of running so many devices.

Question 13

What is Sigfox Atlas Service?

Accepted Answer

Sigfox Atlas geolocation service is a geolocation service for massive IoT applications. A balance between cost, performance, battery consumption and precision, the tracking accuracy is above 500 meters, which makes it perfect for supply chain and logistics sector.

Question 14

Is there coverage indoor? How can indoor coverage be improved?

Accepted Answer

Sigfox network has its limitations indoor. To ensure good coverage indoor, you may purchase Mini base stations from UnaBiz. For the best network option based on your use case, please contact us directly.

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