Netmore Acquires Actility to Create Massive IoT Powerhouse

STOCKHOLM – January 26, 2026 – In a landmark move set to reshape the global Internet of Things landscape, Swedish network operator Netmore Group has announced its acquisition of Paris-based Actility, a foundational pioneer in low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology. The deal, which also includes Actility's geolocation subsidiary Abeeway, creates a dominant force in the Massive IoT sector, now managing a combined total of over 14 million connected devices.

This strategic consolidation merges Netmore's carrier-grade network expertise with Actility's deep-rooted LoRaWAN technology and extensive ecosystem, which spans over 100 countries. The move signals a powerful ambition to unify a historically fragmented market and accelerate the mass adoption of IoT solutions across industries worldwide.

A New Leader in a Consolidating Market

The acquisition is more than a simple business transaction; it represents a significant consolidation event within the LPWAN industry. For years, the market has been characterized by a multitude of players and technologies, often leading to interoperability challenges and slower adoption rates. By bringing Actility into its fold, Netmore, which is backed by Nordic infrastructure investor Polar Structure, is making a clear statement about its intent to lead and standardize.

“The demand for a resourceful and transformational leader of the global LPWAN ecosystem has been on the market’s wish list for years,” said Ove Anebygd, CEO of Netmore Group, in a statement accompanying the announcement. “By combining Actility’s multi-technology mediation capabilities with our carrier-grade network expertise, we are creating a powerhouse for scalable and reliable IoT connectivity solutions.”

This move follows Netmore's pattern of strategic growth, including its acquisition of Everynet in 2024, positioning the company as an aggressive consolidator. The integration of Actility, a co-inventor of the LoRaWAN specification and a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, provides Netmore with unparalleled technical credibility and market penetration. Actility brings with it thousands of project deployments and partnerships with over 50 LoRaWAN network operators, dramatically expanding Netmore’s global footprint and strengthening its position in key verticals like utilities, smart buildings, and smart cities.

Unlocking Next-Generation Solutions

The true impact of this merger lies in the combined technological prowess that will now be available to enterprises and public sector organizations. The integration promises to deliver a suite of advanced, end-to-end solutions designed to tackle complex, real-world challenges with greater efficiency and lower total cost of ownership.

Key additions to Netmore's portfolio include:

• Advanced Smart Metering: The inclusion of native DLMS (Device Language Message Specification) over LoRaWAN provides a highly efficient and standardized protocol for smart utility meters, a critical component for modernizing energy and water grids.
• Enhanced Building Management: New autonomous gateways with embedded network servers and direct BACnet/Modbus connectivity will simplify the integration of thousands of LoRaWAN sensors into existing Building Management Systems (BMS), enabling smarter, more energy-efficient buildings.
• Superior Coverage and Reliability: The addition of LoRaWAN Relay functionality is a game-changer for applications with strict service-level agreements (SLAs), such as water metering in challenging underground or dense urban environments, by enhancing network reach and resilience.
• Precision Geolocation: The acquisition of Abeeway provides patented, ultra-low power, multi-technology trackers, opening up new possibilities for high-value asset tracking and logistics management across industrial settings.

Olivier Hersent, CEO of Actility, emphasized the innovative potential of the combined entity. “Joining Netmore is a transformative step for Actility, our customers, and the market,” he commented. “Our shared commitment to advancing IoT innovation creates a unique opportunity to power some of the most advanced IoT solutions globally.”

A Defining Moment for LoRaWAN

Beyond the corporate implications, this acquisition could be a watershed moment for the LoRaWAN standard itself. By uniting Netmore's expansive network operations with Actility's foundational technology and vast partner ecosystem, the merger has the potential to significantly accelerate the mainstreaming of LoRaWAN as the go-to infrastructure for Massive IoT.

“Together, we will make LoRaWAN the default infrastructure for massive IoT,” stated Hersent, articulating a bold vision for the future. This vision is supported by the integration of Actility's ThingPark Exchange (TEX) roaming hub, a critical piece of infrastructure that allows private and public networks to seamlessly interconnect. This brings an established open ecosystem for network roaming and existing partnerships with telecom giants like Orange, KPN, and Swisscom directly into the Netmore fold, creating a more unified and accessible global network.

Endorsed by Industry Giants

The strategic value of the acquisition was quickly validated by key industry partners. Orange, one of Europe’s largest telecom leaders and a long-standing strategic partner of Actility, voiced strong support for the deal.

“As a long-standing strategic partner and one of the largest users of Actility’s ThingPark platform, we welcome this exciting milestone,” said Etienne Robert, head of Unified Communications, Network & IoT Integration of Orange Business. “For Orange, the acquisition supports the continued operation of our LoRaWAN-based enterprise and smart-territory solutions and maintains a solid partnership for the delivery of IoT projects. We see this consolidation as very positive news for the entire European IoT ecosystem.”

This endorsement is crucial, as it signals confidence from a major customer and partner, ensuring stability and continued innovation for large-scale enterprise and public sector IoT deployments that rely on the ThingPark platform.

Navigating the Future with Enhanced Security

In a move that demonstrates significant foresight, the combined entity is also poised to address one of the most pressing challenges in the IoT industry: cybersecurity. The press release highlighted the inclusion of powerful FUOTA (Firmware Updates Over The Air) tools, specifically designed to help customers comply with the upcoming EU Cybersecurity Resilience Act (CRA).

The CRA is set to impose stringent new cybersecurity requirements on all products with digital elements sold within the European Union. By providing robust tools for broadcasting and updating firmware securely and remotely, Netmore is not only offering a value-added service but also a critical compliance solution. This proactive approach to security and regulation serves as a major competitive differentiator, reassuring customers that their large-scale, long-term IoT deployments will be both resilient and future-proof.