Sigfox 0G Sensors & Trackers — Low-Power IoT

Penny-cheap sensors that send tiny status, level and location messages across remote land for a decade on one battery.

When all a job needs is a short message — a gate left open, a trough running low, a trailer on the move — Sigfox is the cheapest way to send it. It is a public IoT network that lets a sensor whisper a few bytes of data home without any SIM card, WiFi or pairing. There is no gateway to mount in the barn and nothing to configure: you switch the device on and it finds the Sigfox network by itself. Because each sensor only sends the bare minimum, the battery lasts 5–10 years. That makes it perfect for the simple, low-stakes monitoring jobs scattered across a farm or estate — checking a level, flagging a status, pinning a location — where you want it fitted once and forgotten about, not recharged every season.

Key features

• 5–10 Years On One Battery. The protocol sips power, so a sensor dropped in a field, store or hedge keeps reporting for years with no charging and no battery swaps.
• No Gateway To Install. Sigfox runs on a shared public network, so there is no base station to bolt to the farmhouse — every sensor connects straight to it.
• Works Beyond The Yard. Built for thin, infrequent messages, the signal carries across open land and into countries abroad — handy for kit and trailers that travel.
• Pennies To Run. Sensors start around £15 and a year's subscription from £1 per device. Fit dozens across the holding without a meaningful running bill.
• Fit And Forget. Nothing to set up in the field. Register the device online and it begins sending its readings the moment it powers on.
• Small Enough To Hide. Some units are no bigger than a coin cell, so they tuck inside equipment, feed bins, gateposts or a piece of machinery out of sight.

How does the Sigfox network work out on the land?

Sigfox runs on a dedicated low-frequency radio network covering the UK and 75+ countries. Unlike the mobile networks your cameras use, it is built purely for tiny messages — a level, a temperature, a location — never pictures or video. Your sensor sends a short burst that the nearest Sigfox masts pick up and forward to your dashboard or phone. There is no SIM to slot in, no WiFi password to type, and nothing to wire into the barn, which is what makes it so easy to scatter across a working holding.

Coverage is strong across most of the country and steadily reaching further into rural areas, so it is always worth checking the Sigfox map for your postcode and field locations first. Because the messages are so small and infrequent, the network carries millions of devices without clogging up. Each sensor can send up to 140 messages a day — easily enough for an hourly store-temperature reading, a daily location fix on a trailer, or an instant alert the moment a remote gate swings open.

Frequently asked questions

How is Sigfox different from LoRaWAN on a farm?

Sigfox rides a public network, like a mobile phone, so there is nothing to install on your land. LoRaWAN needs you to put up your own gateway, but in return handles more frequent and larger readings — better when you want denser sensing across the holding.

What can a Sigfox sensor actually tell me?

Short facts: a level, a temperature, a location, an open or closed status. It sends up to 140 tiny messages a day — plenty for a level check or a position fix, but never video or photos.

Will it reach my fields and outbuildings?

Sigfox has UK-wide coverage that keeps improving in rural areas. Check the online coverage map against your postcode and field locations before ordering to be sure of signal where you need it.

How long will the battery really last out in the open?

Most sensors run 5–10 years on one battery. The exact figure depends on how often it reports and the battery size — report less often and it lasts longer, which suits set-and-forget land monitoring.

Is there a subscription for every sensor?

Yes — each device carries a small annual subscription, usually £1–£10 depending on how chatty it is. There are no setup fees and no per-message data charges, so the cost stays predictable across a big fleet.

Will a tracker still work if kit is moved abroad?

Yes. Sigfox operates in over 75 countries with no SIM or settings to change, so a tracker on plant or a trailer keeps reporting if it crosses a border — useful for chasing stolen machinery.

What if a sensor drops out of signal in a dead spot?

It holds the reading and tries again once it is back in coverage. Most devices can store several messages, so a temporary blind spot in a valley or steel shed rarely loses your data.