Farm communications startup Zetifi has landed a $5 million from the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program for a $10 million plan to commercialise its smart antenna platform globally.
The regional NSW startup extends the range of data connectivity and communications on remote properties by transforming antennas from passive components into devices using RF (radio frequency) engineering to create embedded systems and cloud connectivity. Zetifi’s Smart Antennas integrate with third-party platforms to unlocking new capabilities such as real-time telemetry, remote diagnostics, enhanced mobile coverage using network data, and duress alerts for lone workers.
The project is being delivered in collaboration with global partners including Nextivity, Icom, and Telstra, who are working with Zetifi to explore and develop new applications for the Smart Antenna platform across public safety, enterprise connectivity, and regional mobility.
Founder and CEO Dan Winson said the $5 million in grant funding was a defining moment for Zetifi.
The support from the Industry Growth Program, alongside our strategic partnerships with Nextivity, Icom, and Telstra, positions our Smart Antenna platform at the forefront of global connectivity innovation,” he said.
“This technology does more than extend coverage – it delivers critical intelligence and enhanced capabilities in environments where it matters most.”
The startup’s project with Telstra is exploring opportunities to share network data to support improved mobile coverage and connectivity in remote and regional areas. The collaboration will enable Zetifi’s Smart Antennas to make more intelligent real-time connectivity decisions and deliver enhanced performance for field-based users. Telstra led Zetifi’s $12 million Series A in 2022.
Telstra global head of networks and technology, Shailin Sehgal, said: “Zetifi’s Smart Antenna platform represents the kind of innovative thinking needed to enhance connectivity for vehicles and field equipment. We’re pleased to be working with Zetifi to explore how network data sharing can support smarter, safer, and more connected solutions.”
Nextivity is the company behind the CEL-FI ROAM and CEL-FI GO cellular boosters, and Zetifi’s Smart Antennas leverage the Bluetooth interface in CEL-FI devices to deliver real-time location and network status information to the booster, which enables smarter band selection and improved system optimisation to deliver signals to otherwise hard-to-reach places.
Nextivity CEO Michiel Lotter said Zetifi has reimagined the antenna.
“The merged system works with both the terrestrial network as well as upcoming satellite-based services, utilising the latest technology to maximize effectiveness,” he said.
The collaboration with radio communications firm Icom integrates Zetifi’s Smart Antennas with mobile and fixed radio systems to deliver industry Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) solutions, including GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)-based location tracking, out-of-band duress alerts for lone workers, automated safety check-ins, and telemetry linked directly into enterprise management platforms such as Microsoft Power Platform.
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