Germany-based security technology group Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has acquired UK-based IoT airtime roaming and private network provider Pod Group for an undisclosed fee. Pod claims to have a hand in 600-odd private enterprise networks in 185 countries.
It also offers global roaming SIM cards and connectivity management for enterprise IoT applications. It claims to offer “unique, customised solutions designed to give enterprises of all sizes ownership and control of their IoT connectivity, from the SIM card right up to a complete private network”. It has offices in the UK and Spain, and “other locations”.
G+D said the deal is “another step” to making it a “solution provider in the IoT business”. The firm is developing an IoT offering based on “trusted connectivity enablement” and “tailored connectivity management” for IoT, it said. The acquisition follows G+D deals last year to buy stakes in the Swiss software firm Netcetera and crypto-asset company Metaco.
It said in a statement: “With billions of IoT devices generating data, data authenticity, privacy, and security are fundamental to make IoT successful and beneficial for its users. Pod complements the G+D eSIM portfolio, and provides the ability to connect, manage, bill and secure devices via a seamless and cost-effective approach.
“The combined portfolio will significantly reduce barriers to IoT adoption and make it easier for buyers to fulfill their requirements with a single partner.” G+D had a turnover of €2.31 billion in 2020; it has around 11,500 staff across 74 “subsidiaries and joint ventures” in 32 countries.
Ralf Wintergerst, group chief executive at Giesecke+Devrient, said: “Combining Pod with G+D strengthens our portfolio with proven connectivity management and proven performance in supporting hundreds of millions of mobile IoT devices worldwide, and with the ability to deliver secure solutions that scale and which enterprises can afford. The next steps are to bring our two product portfolios together to create more efficiency and value for customers.”
He added: “Over the past years we have consistently pursued our strategic goals and invested heavily in our digital portfolio. In particular, we were able to successfully further expand the future fields of digital payment and encryption technology. And now, with the acquisition of Pod, we strengthen our portfolio in the field of IoT.”
Charles Towers-Clark, founder at Pod, said: “Pod Group has grown organically since inception in 1999… As a family company with long-term vision and a caring attitude to their staff, G+D is the perfect home for the next phase of Pod Group’s growth. This acquisition is an amazing strategic fit for both parties. So I look forward to seeing Pod Group together with G+D become the leading international provider of data connectivity for the IoT sector.”
