Netmore, a Swedish operator and leader in IoT (Internet of Things) networks, has just acquired the French company Actility, a specialist in low-power wide-area network solutions. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Netmore, which is focused on international growth and now aims to develop the world’s largest IoT network. Insights and analysis provided by the experts at AURIS Finance, a consulting firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
Surveillance cameras, lighting, gas, water, and electricity networks – these are just some of the services now connected to the Internet. The IoT market is experiencing rapid growth. While this evolution is highly visible to the general public through everyday objects like smartwatches and speakers, it is less apparent in urban infrastructure, sensors, and industrial sites.
Low-Power Data Transmission
Yet, this market has become highly strategic. Netmore is a Swedish player and a global operator of IoT networks. Essentially, the company builds and operates networks that enable devices to transmit data (location, consumption, equipment status) while consuming minimal energy. These networks are used for smart cities, public services, logistics, buildings, and industrial sites. Currently present in 18 countries, Netmore operates LoRaWAN networks, a key technology for lightweight IoT data transmission.
Software Platform
The company has just completed the acquisition of Actility, a Paris-based firm with a presence in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Australia. Actility develops and markets the ThingPark software platform, an open-source LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Networks) management system based on LoRaWAN. This platform enables operators and businesses to deploy, monitor, and interconnect millions of IoT sensors over vast areas. By acquiring Actility, Netmore also gains control of its subsidiary Abeeway, which specializes in ultra-low-power GPS/LPWAN trackers. This platform is central to Netmore’s integration strategy.
14 Million IoT Devices Under Contract
With this acquisition, Netmore reaches a new scale. The integration of Actility allows the company to manage over 14 million IoT devices under contract worldwide. These devices cover a wide range of applications: industrial sensors, smart meters, geolocation devices, and urban equipment. This critical mass is a major strategic asset in a market where the size of the connected fleet determines network profitability, service quality, and the ability to attract new industrial and institutional customers.
New Synergies
The merger between Netmore and Actility is based on clear industrial logic: combining IoT network operations with mastery of the software components that drive them. By integrating its LoRaWAN infrastructure with Actility’s ThingPark platform, Netmore can offer a comprehensive solution, from physical networks to data management. The acquisition of Abeeway further strengthens the company’s position in ultra-low-power geolocation, a segment in high demand within logistics and industry. These technological and commercial synergies enhance the company’s value proposition.
A Rapidly Growing Market
In the digital world, IoT has been around for over 40 years. The very first connected object dates back to the 1980s, when a beverage vending machine at an American university could report its stock levels to a computer. By 2008, a turning point was reached as the number of connected devices surpassed the global population for the first time. Since then, development has accelerated. The global IoT market was valued at $714 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4,062 billion by 2032.
Our Experts by Your Side
The IoT market is expected to continue growing at double-digit rates in the coming years, driven by the digitization of infrastructure and the rise of smart cities. In the industrial sector, traceability needs will also fuel IoT development. New movements are on the horizon. The experts at AURIS Finance specialize by sector and support you throughout your acquisition or divestment process.
