Information and communications technology giant Ericsson’s Internet of Things (IoT) Accelerator-powered Telenor Connexion is set to provide global connectivity to Swedish sustainable technology firm Wayout’s plug-and-play “microfactories” for the local production of clean, filtered water in Africa.

The solar panel-powered microfactories offer an advanced water purification system that eliminates the logistics associated with bottling and transporting prepackaged glass or plastic bottles.

Wayout’s fully automated solution can filter 70 000 𝓵 of water, remove up to 8t of carbon dioxide and up to 200 000 plastic bottles every month.

However, a smartphone application is required to manage the operations, monitor performance and launch autocleaning and, therefore, the mini-operations are dependent on connectivity.

Telenor Connexion will deliver the cellular IoT connectivity management services, SIM cards and all the necessary agreements with local operators to provide the service.

“By leveraging spearpoint technology and robust engineering, our connected sustainable microfactories enable infrastructure solutions and business opportunities for providing perfect drinking water locally, while reducing the environmental impact globally,” says Wayout CEO Ulf Stenerhag.

“Perfect drinking water should be a human right. Our idea is to make access easy and reliable,” he says noting that, according to the United Nations (UN), three in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water services.

The sustainable microfactories will be deployed in East Africa in 2021, eventually expanding into the Middle East, Asia Pacific and other markets.

“Our technology can help solve global challenges and accelerate sustainability. Together with Telenor Connexion and Wayout, we are using our global IoT platform to deliver business and societal value and contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” concludes Ericsson IoT head Kiva Allgood.