Netmore Group Takes Over American Tower's Brazil LoRaWAN Operations

Netmore Group, the Swedish Internet of Things (IoT) network operator, has officially assumed commercial operations of the LoRaWAN network in Brazil from American Tower Corporation (ATC). This strategic transition solidifies Netmore's commitment to the Latin American IoT market, positioning it to capitalize on the region's rapidly expanding demand for connected solutions.

The Event in Detail

Effective immediately, Netmore Group will undertake full responsibility for the customer base, network management, and service delivery across ATC's former LoRaWAN network in Brazil. The agreement stipulates that Netmore will provide carrier-grade IoT connectivity backed by formal service level agreements, ensuring robust and reliable infrastructure for its clients. This development represents a natural progression following Netmore's earlier acquisition of Everynet, a network operator that previously partnered with ATC to establish nationwide LoRaWAN coverage in Brazil. Netmore intends to leverage its extensive experience in deploying networks for massive-scale IoT projects, targeting diverse sectors such including water and gas metering, agriculture, transportation, logistics, and smart city initiatives.

Analysis of Market Reaction

The market sentiment surrounding this transition is broadly positive for Netmore Group. The acquisition grants Netmore a significant operational foothold in a high-growth market, enhancing its potential for increased revenue and expanded market share in Latin America. For American Tower Corporation, the move is viewed as neutral to mildly positive. It streamlines their operational focus by divesting the commercial management of the LoRaWAN network, allowing ATC to concentrate on its core telecommunications infrastructure business. This aligns with ATC's broader strategy, which has seen the company reduce investments in Latin America in favor of opportunities in the U.S. and Europe, alongside an emphasis on its CoreSite data center operations. American Tower reported a 13.2% decline in Latin American property revenue in the second quarter, the steepest among its markets, indicating a strategic shift away from certain operational segments in the region.

Broader Context & Implications

Brazil's IoT market is experiencing substantial growth, with estimates from the IMARC Group valuing it at US$18.4 billion in 2024 and projecting it to surpass US$99 billion by 2033. Furthermore, the Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) market in Brazil is forecast to expand at an annual rate of nearly 40% through the late 2020s. This underscores the strategic importance of Netmore's expanded presence. By assuming ATC's LoRaWAN operations, Netmore is positioned to play a pivotal role in this growth, with a strategy centered on network reliability, densification, and formal service level agreements. The company's capability in large-scale IoT deployments is further evidenced by its recent £200 million contract with Severn Trent in the UK for smart water meters, highlighting a successful recurring service revenue model.

Expert Commentary

Executives at Netmore Group have emphasized the strategic significance of the Brazilian expansion.

Ove Anebygd, CEO of Netmore Group, stated, "Brazil represents a dynamic and fast-growing market for IoT solutions, and this expansion of Netmore's operations enhances our ability to meet rising regional demand for digital transformation and sustainability-focused initiatives."

Gustavo Zarife, Vice President for South America at Netmore, elaborated on the company's operational approach.

Zarife described the transition as following the "Netmore Way"—a strategy combining network stability, densification efforts, formal SLAs, and over ten years of global LoRaWAN operational experience.

Looking Ahead

Netmore's immediate focus will be on integrating the Brazilian operations and leveraging its expertise to deliver enhanced network performance and service quality. The success of this transition will largely hinge on Netmore's ability to implement stable, large-scale IoT infrastructure within Brazil, a country where connectivity challenges can be pronounced. Investors will be closely monitoring Netmore's progress in expanding its customer base and effectively capitalizing on the projected robust growth of the IoT market in Latin America, particularly as the company aims to accelerate digital transformation and sustainability projects across the region.