French IoT network provider Sigfox says that it now has low-power networks up and running in more than 100 cities and towns around the US.

Sigfox started moving into the US late last year. The Toulouse-based startup has its own ultra-narrow band (UNB) radio technology that operates over the 915MHz ISM band in the US. Sigfox says that among its 100-plus live American markets are Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and Atlanta.

Sigfox is now live in 29 countries around the world. It scored a €150 million (US$159 million) series E round of funding in November and plans to use the money to extend its footprint to 60 countries by the end of the year.<[>

It is anticipated that Sigfox could try for an IPO in 2018.

Delivering lower-power, wide-area (LPWA) networks for Internet of Things (IoT) services is increasing becoming a big -- and competitive -- business. LoRa or narrow-band LTE specifications are some of the key rivals to the Sigfox system. The French provider does appear to be growing its live network footprint -- before commercial IoT-focused LTE networks have even been launched -- so the Gallic startup remains competitive so far.

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— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading