Major international companies including South Korea's SK Telecom, Spain's Telefónica and Japan's mobile phone operator NTT Docomo are investing US$115 million in French Internet of Things (IoT) company, Sigfox.

"This record $115 million round is a significant step in the development of our network's coverage all around the world," said Anne Lauvergeon, Chairman of Sigfox.

Like Us on Facebook

"The trust of our investors and the dynamism of SIGFOX's team allow us to strengthen our position as the world leader in IoT communications."

Sigfox, a company established in 2009, claims to be the first in the world to provide global cellular connectivity for the IoT. It had developed the low-power wide area (LPWA) connectivity space back in 2012.

"Since creating the LPWA space three years ago, SIGFOX has become the leading global solution for IoT connectivity," said Ludovic Le Moan, Sigfox's CEO.

"This investment round recognizes those achievements and highlights the company's potential to become the worldwide standard for small-message-based connectivity." Le Moan continued.

Other firms that invested in the French company include GDF Suez, Air Liquide, U.S.-based investment firm Elliot Management Corporation and French-based satellite broadband provider Eutelsat S.A.

"Eutelsat's investment in SIGFOX signals our conviction that satellites can accelerate the development of the IoT market, both in terms of reach and reliability." said Jean-Hubert Lenotte, Eutelsat's director of strategy.

Eutelsat said it looks forward to contributing to Sigfox's growth and business development. The move by these major international companies is a further sign of the growing investment around the world in the IoT.

Samsung Electronics, the world's largest smartphone maker, recently announced it will be launching new smart and connected home appliances this year, focusing on expanding its business for the IoT market.

The South Korean giant also recently hired former Google senior director Dora Hsu, to be in charge of the company's recently acquired IoT developer platform, SmartThings.

TagsSigfox, IoT, french, SK Telecom, Telefonica, NTT Docomo, Eutelsat, GDF Suez, Air Liquide, Elliot Management