$5m grant to globalise Zetifi's Smart Antenna platform

Australian technology company Zetifi has secured a substantial $4.98 million grant under the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program, which will support a $10 million initiative to commercialise the company’s Smart Antenna platform globally. This is one of the largest grants awarded under the program to date, the company claims.

At the core of the project is Zetifi’s patent-pending technology, which transforms antennas from passive components into intelligent edge devices for vehicles, machinery and infrastructure. By integrating advanced RF engineering with embedded systems and cloud connectivity, Zetifi’s Smart Antennas enable seamless integration with third-party platforms — 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.

Technology integration with Nextivity

Zetifi has partnered with Nextivity, the company behind the CEL-FI ROAM and CEL-FI GO cellular boosters, to enhance performance through deeper integration. By leveraging the Bluetooth interface in CEL-FI devices, Zetifi’s Smart Antennas can provide real-time location and network status information to the booster. This added information enables smarter band selection and improved system optimisation, making it possible for the booster to deliver signals to otherwise hard-to-reach places.

“Zetifi has reimagined the antenna,” said Nextivity CEO Michiel Lotter. “By combining the intelligence in the CEL-FI booster with Zetifi’s intelligent antenna design, we can ensure coverage everywhere in Australia. The merged system works with both the terrestrial network as well as upcoming satellite services, utilising the latest technology to maximise effectiveness. We’re proud to collaborate with Zetifi to offer this transformative solution worldwide.”

Enhancing safety with Icom

In collaboration with Icom, a global leader in radio communications, Zetifi’s Smart Antennas will integrate deeply with mobile and fixed radio systems to deliver leading workplace health and safety (WHS) solutions. This integration includes GNSS-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.

“Our radios are trusted globally for their reliability in critical communications,” said Aaron Camp, Executive Officer, Icom. “Zetifi’s Smart Antennas present an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation — adding location intelligence, real-time duress alerts, and advanced telemetry that could further improve safety and connectivity for emergency services, utilities and field teams. This flexible Icom + Zetifi solution has significant potential across our land mobile, UHF CB and marine product lines.”

Coverage optimisation with Telstra

Telstra and Zetifi are exploring opportunities to share network data to support improved mobile coverage and connectivity in remote and regional areas. This collaboration will enable Zetifi’s Smart Antennas to make more intelligent real-time connectivity decisions and deliver enhanced performance for field-based users. Telstra’s accelerator, muru-D, previously led Zetifi’s $12.25 million Series A funding round and continues to support the company’s commercial expansion.

“Zetifi’s Smart Antenna platform represents the kind of innovative thinking needed to enhance connectivity for vehicles and field equipment,” said Shailin Sehgal, Global Head of Networks and Technology at Telstra. “We’re pleased to be working with Zetifi to explore how network data sharing can support smarter, safer, and more connected solutions.”

Dan Winson, founder and CEO of Zetifi, concluded, “This is 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. This technology does more than extend coverage — it delivers critical intelligence and enhanced capabilities in environments where it matters most.”

Images courtesy Zetifi