What you can’t see is changing everything

This SCC UK Member manufactures nothing you can buy or hold. Instead, Netmore has built the invisible wireless network backbone connecting millions of devices that communities and businesses depend on every single day, and in just four years, they have quietly become one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure players. We spoke with Ove Anebygd, CEO at Netmore Group, to understand the company, its approach, and what’s next for connected Britain.

Founded in Stockholm in 2010, Netmore operates across 18 countries, connecting millions of devices that send real-time data back to utilities and businesses. “We provide network solutions that connect and manage millions of devices like smart meters, environmental sensors, and trackers that provide real-time data to enhance business operations,” Ove explains.

What sets Netmore apart is that its network management platform is built to avoid becoming obsolete. “A platform designed to remain relevant without the need for generational upgrades,” as Ove describes it. This matters because organisations don’t face the costly disruption of ripping out old infrastructure or redesigning systems when technology moves on – the platform simply evolves instead.

Today, Netmore operates the UK’s most extensive LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network), covering 43 of the 92 counties and reaching more than 51 million people – nearly 8 out of 10 of the population.

Real outcomes, real impact
The proof is tangible. Yorkshire Water now saves more than two million litres of water per day through real-time leak detection on Netmore’s network. They are also deploying 90,000 wastewater management sensors with their partner Detectronic. Netmore has won contracts to connect over three million smart water metres across the UK – fundamentally changing how utilities manage natural resources.

Earlier this year, Severn Trent selected Netmore to deploy and manage network services for one million smart meters. The project targets ambitious sustainability goals by 2030: a 16% reduction in household water leakage, 7% reduction in household water use, and 3.5% reduction in non-household water use. 

These contracts underscore Netmore’s position as a leading specialist in utility infrastructure. With partnerships spanning some of the UK’s largest water authorities, the company has established itself as a credible partner for the complex modernisation challenges that utilities face when upgrading critical infrastructure.

A Swedish DNA shaping Netmore’s UK operations
“Our Swedish DNA is incorporated into everything we do. It’s a blend of innovation, sustainability, and straightforward efficiency applied to our business approach,” Ove says. “Sweden has a long history of telecom leadership, and we’ve carried that forward with a startup-like agility backed by solid infrastructure capital.”

Ove continues to explain how this philosophy prioritises reliability and lasting results over flashy launches. “We approach business opportunities with a focus on long-term value over short-term hype and we’re rational about costs, focused on reliability, and prioritise sustainable outcomes,” Ove explains. In the UK, that commitment has translated into something tangible: the country’s most extensive IoT network.

Flexibility that solves complex problems
What gives Netmore an edge is adaptability. Rather than forcing customers into a single solution, the company supports multiple network protocols that results in networks being tailored to specific customer needs. In the Severn Trent partnership with Vodafone, for instance, most meters use one technology, but where requirements demand it, the platform supports alternatives. In other words, no customer gets told ‘that won’t work.’ Netmore finds what works and implements it, so organisations can focus on their core business.

Partnerships that make communities flourish
Behind the infrastructure is an equally important innovation: community engagement. Netmore builds its networks by beginning with umbrella coverage from high tower sites and municipal assets, then densifying coverage through local rooftops and homes.

Here’s where the model becomes distinctive: the company partners with property owners and residents, offering financial incentives to host network gateways. “In this model, we partner with local property owners and residents to host gateways on rooftops or in homes and in return, we provide them with financial incentives,” Ove explains.

“This approach has also generated significant local employment across the UK – Netmore’s UK team of 21 staff members is supported by 207 contracted positions, including over 40 network gateway installers and nearly 170 water meter installers, strengthening communities whilst building critical infrastructure.” 

Milestones worth the mention
Ove proudly shares: “We’ve come a long way in the UK since our initial rollout in 2021 and are now the largest LoRaWAN operator in the region.” And looking ahead, he continues to see significant opportunity: “There is a massive opportunity to extend our advanced metering and monitoring infrastructure to other water, gas, and district heating utilities in the UK, facilitating the modernisation of critical infrastructure to support sustainability and safety directives.”

For a Swedish company that arrived just four years ago, Netmore is proving that critical infrastructure can be built differently – through long-term partnerships, community engagement, and a commitment to solving real problems.