What is Sigfox? Technology, Protocol, and Applications Explained
- Nguyen Vinh Loc
- Jan 13, 2021
- 15 min read
In the fast-growing world of the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting billions of devices requires networks that are not only reliable but also cost-effective and energy-efficient. While many people are already familiar with well-known LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) technologies such as LoRaWAN and NB-IoT, another important player often comes into the conversation: Sigfox.
So, what is Sigfox, and why has it gained attention in IoT deployments across industries from agriculture to logistics? In this article, we will break down the fundamentals of Sigfox - how the technology works, its unique protocol and network architecture, advantages and limitations, and where it shines in real-world applications.
If you’re looking for a deep technical dive into Sigfox IoT technology and want to see how it powers Daviteq’s wireless sensors, you can also explore our dedicated technology page. But first, let’s start with the basics.
What is Sigfox?
At its core, Sigfox is a communication protocol designed specifically for the Internet of Things (IoT). Unlike traditional cellular networks that prioritize high data rates for voice and multimedia, Sigfox focuses on ultra-low power, long-range communication with very small data packets. This makes it an excellent fit for IoT devices that only need to send a few bytes of information — such as sensor readings, status updates, or alerts — a few times per day.
Sigfox is part of the LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) family, which also includes LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and LTE-M. What makes Sigfox unique is its use of Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) modulation, allowing signals to travel long distances while consuming minimal energy. Devices don’t need constant connectivity; instead, they wake up, send a short message, and return to sleep mode — conserving battery life for up to 10 years on a small battery.
Operating on unlicensed ISM frequency bands (such as 868 MHz in Europe and 902 MHz in North America), Sigfox is a public network technology. This means it requires a Sigfox operator with deployed base stations, rather than private network infrastructure. Once a message is transmitted, it is picked up by the nearest base station, forwarded to the Sigfox Cloud, and then delivered to the end application.
For organizations looking to implement IoT solutions with long device lifetime and minimal operating costs, Sigfox provides a proven approach. To see how it translates into real-world deployments, you can explore Daviteq’s Sigfox IoT sensors, where the technology is integrated into wireless devices for agriculture, smart factory, and asset tracking applications.
Sigfox Protocol & Network Architecture
To truly understand why Sigfox is one of the most energy-efficient and cost-effective connectivity options in the IoT landscape, it’s essential to look at how its protocol and network are designed. The architecture of Sigfox reflects a philosophy of simplicity, minimalism, and efficiency — every design choice is optimized to send just enough data, over long distances, with minimal power consumption.
Sigfox Protocol – Lightweight by Design
The Sigfox communication protocol is purpose-built for devices that only need to send small, periodic packets of data — such as temperature readings, equipment status, or GPS coordinates.
At the physical layer, Sigfox uses Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) modulation, where each message occupies only a few hertz of bandwidth (typically 100 Hz). This extreme bandwidth efficiency allows:
Long-distance transmission — signals can travel up to 40 km in rural areas.
High resilience to interference — by concentrating power in a very narrow spectrum.
Low energy consumption — since the transmitter operates for just a few milliseconds per message.
Sigfox employs DBPSK (Differential Binary Phase-Shift Keying) for uplink communication (from device to base station) and GFSK (Gaussian Frequency-Shift Keying) for downlink (from network to device). Each uplink message carries up to 12 bytes of payload plus metadata such as device ID and timestamp, while downlink messages are limited to 8 bytes and used sparingly (e.g., configuration updates).
This lightweight, asymmetric design prioritizes battery longevity and network scalability over speed or bidirectional interaction.
Network Architecture – Simple, Scalable, and Cloud-Driven
Sigfox follows a star topology in which end devices communicate directly with one or more base stations (no mesh or hop-to-hop routing). The architecture comprises four key layers:
End Devices (IoT Sensors or Actuators): Equipped with Sigfox-compatible radio modules, these devices periodically transmit small packets of data.– They operate independently, without needing synchronization or connection handshakes.
Base Stations (Sigfox Gateways): Receive messages from multiple devices within their coverage area (often several kilometers wide). Each message is typically captured by three or more base stations simultaneously to improve reliability and reduce packet loss.
Sigfox Cloud: Acts as the intelligence layer that filters duplicates, verifies message integrity, applies security protocols, and forwards data to the customer’s application server.– It offers APIs (REST or Callback) so data can be easily integrated into business systems, dashboards, or IoT platforms.
Application Server – The endpoint where end users visualize and act on the data — for example, a dashboard showing temperature alerts or equipment status updates.
This architecture has several benefits: it eliminates the need for device registration with specific base stations, reduces signaling overhead, and ensures out-of-the-box connectivity once a device is powered on and within coverage.
Public Network Model – Connectivity as a Service
Unlike LoRaWAN, which can be deployed as private or public networks, Sigfox follows a fully managed public network model.
National operators (such as UnaBiz, iWire, or WND Group) are responsible for deploying and maintaining the infrastructure.
End users subscribe to the service — often through device manufacturers or IoT integrators — similar to how you subscribe to a mobile carrier.
This approach has two major advantages:
Plug-and-play simplicity – Devices automatically connect to the nearest base station without any configuration.
Predictable cost structure – Businesses pay a fixed subscription fee per device, without worrying about infrastructure or maintenance.
However, the trade-off is dependency on the operator’s coverage footprint — Sigfox excels in regions with established networks but may require complementary connectivity (like LoRaWAN or NB-IoT) in remote areas.
To see how this model is applied in real-world use cases, explore Daviteq’s Sigfox IoT solutions — where wireless sensors for smart agriculture, logistics, and factory monitoring leverage the efficiency and global reach of Sigfox’s network.
Sigfox Frequency, Security, and Testing
Before diving into Sigfox’s practical applications, it is essential to understand the technical foundations that make the network both reliable and secure. Three areas are particularly important: the frequency bands Sigfox operates on, the security mechanisms that protect its data, and the testing and certification process that ensures devices can perform consistently worldwide.
Sigfox Frequency
Sigfox operates in unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency bands, which differ slightly by region:
868 MHz in most of Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
902–928 MHz in North America.
920–923 MHz in parts of Asia-Pacific, such as Japan and Australia.
By using unlicensed spectrum, Sigfox avoids the high costs of licensed cellular bands, making it a cost-effective choice for IoT connectivity. However, these ISM bands are subject to duty cycle restrictions (often between 0.1%–1%) imposed by regulators. To comply, Sigfox limits devices to around 140 uplink messages per day and 4 downlink messages, each capped at 12 bytes.
This frequency choice directly influences how and where Sigfox is most effective: environments where small, infrequent data packets are sufficient — for example, a soil moisture sensor reporting once every few hours, or an asset tracker pinging its location a few times a day.
Sigfox Security
While Sigfox is optimized for lightweight communication, it does not compromise on security. The protocol integrates multiple layers of protection:
AES-128 encryption: Each transmitted frame is encrypted using industry-standard AES-128, ensuring data confidentiality even on unlicensed spectrum.
Message authentication codes (MACs): Every frame includes an authentication token that prevents message tampering and guarantees data integrity.
Replay protection: Each message carries a sequence number, so replayed or duplicated messages are automatically rejected by the network.
Cloud-level security: Once data reaches the Sigfox Cloud, it is delivered to customer applications via secured HTTPS or VPN channels.
These mechanisms make Sigfox suitable for applications requiring trustworthy and tamper-proof communication, such as smart utility metering, supply chain monitoring, or environmental compliance reporting.
Sigfox Testing & Certification
To guarantee consistent performance across regions, all Sigfox-enabled devices must undergo rigorous testing and certification before they are allowed on the public network. Certification covers:
RF Performance Tests: verifying transmit power, frequency accuracy, and spectral purity so devices don’t interfere with other ISM users.
Protocol Compliance: ensuring the device respects Sigfox’s timing, message size, and duty-cycle rules.
Interoperability Validation: confirming that devices can seamlessly connect with base stations and forward data through the Sigfox Cloud to end-user applications.
For manufacturers like Daviteq, this certification process is not just a regulatory hurdle but also a quality guarantee. It assures customers that Sigfox IoT devices will operate reliably, securely, and globally — whether deployed in a vineyard in France, a smart city project in Japan, or a logistics hub in the United States.
Sigfox RC Zones & Frequency Bands Explained
One of the key advantages of the Sigfox network is its ability to support global IoT deployments. However, because spectrum regulations vary between countries, Sigfox has divided its infrastructure into seven Radio Configuration Zones (RC Zones). Each RC Zone defines the specific frequency band, data rate, and transmission rules used in that region. This standardized structure ensures that Sigfox devices can operate legally, efficiently, and consistently worldwide.
RC Zones define the operating parameters that allow a device to communicate with the Sigfox network in different regions. This configuration framework provides several benefits:
Seamless global deployment of the same device model
Compliance with local ISM band regulations
Optimized performance for different radio environments
For example, a Sigfox vibration sensor deployed in Germany (RC1) can also be used in Japan (RC3) simply by switching its configuration zone, without requiring hardware redesign.
Each zone is configured to comply with the local ISM regulations, ensuring stable and interference-resistant communication.
RC Zones are a fundamental part of Sigfox’s network architecture and play an important role in ensuring:
Regulatory compliance with local spectrum rules
Optimized connectivity and minimal interference
Simplified global scalability through configuration rather than redesign
Cost-efficient international deployments
This structure enables Sigfox to function as a truly global LPWAN technology, supporting large-scale IoT projects across industries and regions without the complexity or expense of traditional networks.
Advantages of Sigfox
For many organizations adopting IoT, success depends on finding a network that can deliver reliable data transmission while remaining low-cost, low-power, and easy to deploy at scale. Sigfox was engineered with exactly these goals in mind. Its design philosophy — “less data, more efficiency” — allows millions of devices to communicate seamlessly without overloading the network or draining their batteries.
Below are the key advantages that make Sigfox one of the most practical connectivity choices in large-scale IoT deployments.
Ultra-Low Power Consumption
The defining strength of Sigfox is its ability to support devices that can operate for 5–10 years on small batteries. Because devices only wake up to send short messages and return to sleep mode, there is no need for continuous synchronization with the network. This makes Sigfox ideal for sensors deployed in remote or hard-to-access locations where replacing batteries frequently is impractical.
Long-Range and Robust Signal Coverage
Sigfox’s Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) modulation provides long-range communication that can cover 3–10 km in urban environments and up to 40 km in rural or open areas. Because the signal is concentrated within a bandwidth as narrow as 100 Hz, it is highly resistant to interference and capable of penetrating obstacles such as walls, pipelines, or building structures.
In real-world use, this means Sigfox sensors can reliably send data from remote warehouses, underground utility meters, or agricultural fields without the need for expensive repeaters or gateways.
Cost-Effective Infrastructure
Operating on unlicensed ISM bands allows Sigfox to avoid spectrum licensing costs. Combined with its simple star topology, this means:
No need for complex network management or local gateways.
Devices connect directly to public Sigfox base stations.
Users typically pay a low annual subscription per device, making operating costs predictable.
This Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) model is particularly attractive for businesses deploying thousands of low-data IoT nodes — from water utilities to smart city operators — who require affordability and simplicity over bandwidth.
Scalability and Simplicity
Sigfox is designed to scale effortlessly. A single base station can serve hundreds of thousands of devices within its range because each device transmits independently without coordination.
No network congestion from simultaneous messages.
No provisioning or complex configuration is needed — devices simply “wake up and transmit.”
This plug-and-play nature enables fast rollout of large IoT systems across wide geographical regions. For Daviteq, this means its wireless sensors can be activated and start reporting immediately wherever Sigfox coverage exists.
Reliable for Lightweight IoT Applications
While Sigfox doesn’t aim for high throughput, it delivers exceptional reliability for small, periodic data exchanges. The network’s redundancy — where each message can be received by multiple base stations — ensures >99% message delivery success in typical use cases.
For many industries, that reliability is more valuable than raw speed. Whether it’s a temperature sensor in a factory, a bin-level monitor in waste management, or an air-quality device in a city street, Sigfox provides a simple, predictable channel for in-time data.
Limitations of Sigfox
While Sigfox provides an efficient and elegant solution for low-power, low-data IoT communication, it is not suitable for every use case. Understanding its technical and operational limitations helps businesses make informed decisions — choosing Sigfox where it fits best, and exploring other LPWAN options where its constraints become critical.
Limited Payload Size and Message Frequency
Sigfox’s architecture is built around the idea of sending less to save more.
Each uplink message is limited to 12 bytes of payload, and downlink messages to just 8 bytes.
Devices are also restricted to 140 uplink messages and 4 downlink messages per day.
While this efficiency supports ultra-low power consumption, it restricts the type of data transmitted. Applications requiring continuous streams — like video surveillance, vibration waveform analysis, or predictive maintenance with large datasets — exceed what Sigfox can deliver.
However, for periodic sensor data such as temperature, humidity, or tank level, this limitation is inconsequential. The key is to match the data model to the network’s capacity.
High Latency and Asynchronous Transmission
Sigfox communication is asynchronous — devices send data without establishing a real-time session. As a result, network latency can vary from a few seconds to over a minute depending on network load and coverage conditions.
This design is ideal for non-critical applications where instant response is unnecessary, such as reporting soil moisture or ambient conditions. But it’s unsuitable for scenarios requiring immediate feedback or remote actuation, such as industrial automation, emergency systems, or control of mobile robots.
Asymmetric Communication – Uplink Dominant
Sigfox is primarily a one-way communication network.
Devices spend most of their lifecycle transmitting data upward.
Downlink capability is intentionally constrained to conserve power and spectrum resources.
This asymmetry makes Sigfox a strong fit for monitoring and reporting, but not for interactive control. For instance, a wireless valve controller that requires frequent remote commands would perform better on networks like NB-IoT or LTE-M, which support true bidirectional data flow.
Dependence on Operator Coverage
Sigfox communication is heavily skewed toward uplink (device → network). Downlink capability is limited in both frequency and payload Because Sigfox operates as a public managed network, connectivity depends on operator infrastructure. In many urban and industrialized regions, coverage is extensive. However, in remote or developing areas, it may be partial or unavailable.
For global IoT deployments, businesses often adopt hybrid architectures — combining Sigfox for low-power sensing nodes with LoRaWAN or cellular backhaul for aggregation gateways. This strategy balances coverage, scalability, and cost., which makes it impractical for applications that require dynamic remote control of devices rather than simple monitoring.
Limited Real-Time Diagnostics and Quality of Service (QoS)
As a minimalist network, Sigfox provides only basic service-level visibility. Operators guarantee average message delivery success, but metrics such as latency, jitter, or link quality are not as granular as those in cellular networks.
For mission-critical applications that demand guaranteed uptime or detailed telemetry for diagnostics, more sophisticated technologies (like LTE-M or private LoRaWAN deployments) are often preferred.
Sigfox Applications
The true value of any communication technology lies in its real-world performance — how effectively it solves practical challenges across industries.Sigfox’s strength in low-power, long-range, and cost-efficient connectivity has made it a reliable foundation for IoT systems in diverse domains, from precision farming to urban infrastructure.
Below are some of the most impactful applications of Sigfox technology that demonstrate its role in enabling smarter, more sustainable operations worldwide.
Smart Agriculture
In agriculture, Sigfox plays a vital role in monitoring soil and environmental parameters where power and network access are limited.
Daviteq’s Sigfox Soil Moisture Sensor – WSSFC-SMT and Sigfox Integrated Humidity & Temperature Sensor – WSSFC-ATH transmit soil and air data periodically via Sigfox, helping farmers adjust irrigation cycles and prevent water waste. These sensors support multi-year battery life and can operate in open fields without repeaters, making them ideal for remote or wide-area farms.
Asset Tracking
For logistics and transportation, the ability to track assets over long distances without charging is essential.
Daviteq’s Sigfox Tilt Sensor – WSSFC-AG and Sigfox Ambient Light Sensor – WSSFC-AL can be mounted on cargo, trailers, or containers to detect movement, tilt, or exposure to light, providing motion and tamper detection for valuable goods. Data is transmitted through Sigfox’s public network to central dashboards, ensuring real-time asset visibility with minimal operating cost.
Smart Metering
Utility providers use Sigfox to deploy smart meters that collect and send data autonomously for years.
Daviteq’s Sigfox Ex d Ambient Humidity & Temperature Sensor – WSSFCEX-ATH and Sigfox Ultrasonic Level Sensor – WSSFC-ULC allow measurement of environmental conditions and tank levels even in hazardous or remote industrial zones. This approach simplifies infrastructure monitoring while maintaining safety and compliance standards through Ex d-certified hardware.
Smart City
Cities use Sigfox to connect distributed sensors for public services such as waste management, air quality, and safety monitoring.
Daviteq offers multiple sensors for these urban applications, including:
Sigfox Carbon Dioxide Sensor – WSSFC-CO2 for indoor air-quality monitoring.
Sigfox Gas Sensor with Siren for Industrial Safety – WSSFC-GCB for hazardous gas detection in public or industrial environments.
Sigfox Piezo-Electric Vibration Sensor - WSSFC-V1A is a high-performance solution for structural health and machine monitoring in Smart City infrastructure.
These devices help cities reduce maintenance costs and improve sustainability by delivering in-time environmental data through a single, unified Sigfox network.citizen services.
Sigfox vs Other LPWAN Technologies
While Sigfox is a key enabler of the Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) ecosystem, it is only one among several major technologies shaping IoT connectivity. To determine when Sigfox is the right choice, it’s important to compare it with other LPWAN standards — LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and LTE-M — across technical and operational dimensions.
LPWAN technologies share a common goal: connect thousands of low-power IoT devices across large areas with minimal energy and cost. However, they differ in network ownership, data throughput, latency, and scalability, leading to different strengths depending on the use case.
Sigfox’s simplicity is its greatest strength. It excels in large-scale deployments where devices need to transmit small, infrequent data — e.g., temperature, tilt, or soil readings. The public network model eliminates the need for private gateways, making it ideal for quick, cost-effective rollouts.
LoRaWAN offers more flexibility. Companies can build private networks or subscribe to public operators. It supports higher payloads and local control, making it suitable for factories, campuses, or agricultural cooperatives that prefer self-managed infrastructure. However, setting up and maintaining gateways requires more technical effort.
NB-IoT leverages licensed cellular bands, offering strong QoS (Quality of Service) and nationwide coverage. It supports higher data throughput and better downlink communication but consumes more power and requires SIM-based management, increasing cost and complexity.
LTE-M is the most advanced LPWAN for mobile IoT. It supports voice, firmware updates (FOTA), and real-time control, making it suitable for asset tracking, vehicle monitoring, and telematics. However, it comes with higher subscription and energy requirements compared to Sigfox or LoRaWAN.
In many real-world deployments, no single LPWAN fits all needs. Enterprises increasingly adopt hybrid connectivity strategies, combining technologies:
Sigfox for remote, battery-powered sensors
LoRaWAN for localized private networks
NB-IoT or LTE-M for mission-critical or mobile nodes
This layered approach provides both coverage flexibility and cost optimization, allowing scalable IoT ecosystems that adapt to specific operational constraints.
Daviteq applies this same hybrid design philosophy — integrating Sigfox, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and Sub-GHz wireless technologies — across its product portfolio to ensure every customer achieves the right balance between reliability, cost, and performance.
As the IoT landscape expands, choosing the right communication technology becomes a defining factor in system performance, reliability, and cost. Among the LPWAN contenders, Sigfox stands out for its simplicity, ultra-low power operation, and ability to bring connectivity even to the most remote assets. It was built on the principle that not every device needs constant, high-bandwidth data — some only need to send small, meaningful messages efficiently and reliably.
In industrial environments, farms, and cities where maintenance and power resources are limited, Sigfox enables real-time visibility with near-zero infrastructure overhead. Its standardized network and global coverage make it ideal for scalable deployments — from monitoring soil conditions in agriculture to tracking assets across borders.
For businesses aiming to digitize field operations without the complexity of cellular IoT, Sigfox provides a proven and sustainable pathway. And when integrated with Daviteq’s line of Sigfox-certified wireless sensors, companies gain access to end-to-end solutions — sensors, connectivity, and cloud integration — ready to deploy anywhere.
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