Ericsson scores IoT e-scooter gig

Swedish kit vendor Ericsson had landed a welcome IoT deal win thanks to its partnership with Arkessa to provide global connectivity for Voi e-scooters.

Arkessa specialises in IoT managed services and has been chosen by e-scooter provider to connect its global, app-based fleet. Voi is one of a growing number od electronic scooter rental providers to operate on a similar basis to things like the ‘Boris bikes’ scheme in central London. It relies on an app that can track abandoned scooters and identify their location for nearby users.

Swedish Voi operates internationally (Cambridge seems to be over-run with them), so needs IoT partners that can operate on a similar scale, which is apparently one of the main reasons it chose these two. Arkessa uses Ericsson’s IoT Accelerator platform, you see.

“Micro-mobility solutions powered by high-speed cellular connectivity make city mobility more flexible and sustainable,” said Åsa Tamsons, Head of Technologies and New Businesses at Ericsson. “We are excited to see Voi choose our award-winning IoT Accelerator platform to create the agility needed to scale up their global operations. Global, reliable, and secure connectivity plays a pivotal role in helping new industries grow and contribute to connecting our cities.”

“We are excited to work with Arkessa to provide superior IoT connectivity in our scooters and ensure an even higher level of service for our riders and partner cities.” Said Fredrik Hjelm, CEO and co-founder of Voi. “By leveraging Arkessa’s secure and resilient global network connectivity, Voi can continue to deliver fast, reliable e-scooter services as we expand into new markets and roll out our next-generation vehicles and IoT hardware.”

“Voi is a true pioneer of connected micro-mobility solutions and is committed to helping cities meet their 2030 climate goals,” Andrew Orrock, CEO at Arkessa. “Arkessa is absolutely delighted to have been selected as their cellular connectivity partner to support their global expansion. With more than 50 percent of the world’s population living in cities, Voi’s vision of creating cities for living will change the urban landscape for the better and we are so excited to be a part of it.”

Fair play to Orrock for picking an adjective other than excited for a change. Ericsson reckons the number of cellular IoT connections will grow from 1.7 billion in 2020 to 5.9 billion in 2026, so it must be desperate to grab as large a piece of that action as it can. High profile deals like this won’t do that effort any harm at all.