Telefónica Tech and Fermax: 4G IoT connectivity for video door entry
A new partnership between Telefónica Tech and Fermax brings managed 4G IoT connectivity to video door entry systems across Spain, France, and Portugal, turning access control into a connected service.
Deployment scale and rollout timeline
Fermax, a long-standing leader in video door entry and access control, has selected Telefónica Tech to connect its new generation of panels via mobile networks. More than 27,000 units are already live, with a roadmap to exceed 100,000 connected systems by 2030. The cadence matters: from 2026, Fermax expects to add 15,000–20,000 installations annually, indicating accelerating adoption in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), commercial buildings, and residential communities.
Kite platform: managed 4G IoT control
Telefónica Tech is delivering managed IoT connectivity through its Kite platform, providing centralized visibility and real-time control of devices equipped with 4G modules and non-removable SIM-IoT cards. Kite streamlines provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting at scale, enabling proactive management of distributed assets and reducing field interventions. For Fermax, that translates into consistent service quality, faster incident response, and a platform to launch new digital features.
Why connected access matters for telecom and PropTech
Building access is shifting from hardware-centric systems to software-defined services delivered over cellular networks, creating revenue and data opportunities for operators and property technology providers.
Edge IoT for access control
Door entry is becoming an edge IoT workload. Residents and facility teams expect mobile-first experiences: remote video verification, controlled access, and instant notifications. By embedding managed connectivity, vendors can deliver secure, always-on service without relying on building Wi-Fi or complex LAN configurations. This improves reliability, simplifies installation, and enables uniform operations across heterogeneous properties and regions.
4G adoption after 3G sunsets
With 3G sunsets and 2G refarming underway across Europe, device makers are standardizing on 4G modules for longevity and throughput. Video-capable access panels need consistent uplink performance and low-latency signaling; LTE meets this need today while preserving an upgrade path to LTE-M or 5G where appropriate. Choosing 4G now mitigates lifecycle risk for assets with 7–10 year service lives.
Managed IoT services for operator growth
Managed IoT in smart buildings is a sticky B2B2C use case. Operators can move beyond SIM sales to deliver lifecycle management, security posture monitoring, and analytics. The result is higher-margin recurring revenue, stronger customer retention, and a foundation for adjacent services such as video storage, incident insights, and integration with property management systems.
Solution architecture and operations
The solution combines embedded cellular modules, managed SIMs, and a cloud control plane to support secure, remotely operated access control at scale.
SIM-IoT identity and connectivity management
Each panel integrates a non-removable SIM-IoT for tamper resistance and stable connectivity. Through the Kite platform, Fermax gains centralized control of SIM states, data usage, geolocation insights, and alerting. Fleet-wide policies and diagnostics shorten mean time to repair and provide auditability for service-level commitments.
Remote monitoring, OTA updates, and maintenance
Connected panels stream telemetry for health checks, configuration updates, and preventive maintenance. Operators can detect failures or quality degradations before users are impacted, avoiding truck rolls and accelerating root-cause analysis. Over-the-air updates keep devices current without on-site visits.
Resident experience with DuoxMe app
Residents access features via the DuoxMe app, including video verification, two-way audio, controlled door release, and event notifications. Encrypted communications protect interactions, and permissions can be tuned for residents, property managers, and service providers.
End-to-end security and data protection
Access control is a critical security domain; the connectivity layer and application stack must be hardened end-to-end.
Encryption, privacy, and GDPR compliance
Video, audio, and signaling are encrypted to protect identity and access events. Role-based access and credential management reduce exposure, while data minimization and retention policies support regional privacy requirements such as GDPR. Clear consent and audit trails build trust with building stakeholders.
Network hardening and device security
Telecom-grade practices—such as segregated connectivity, firewall policies, IMEI/SIM pairing, and anomaly detection—help limit attack surfaces. Secure boot, signed firmware, and regular OTA patches are essential. Aligning with GSMA IoT security guidelines and zero-trust principles provides a defensible baseline for regulators and insurers.
Deployment best practices for builders and operators
Success depends on robust coverage, scalable operations, and clean integration with building systems.
Cellular coverage and resilience
Cellular performance can vary in basements, elevator lobbies, and dense urban structures. Site surveys, in-building cellular solutions, and optimized antenna placement improve reliability. Where regulatory and contractual terms allow, multi-network access or roaming strategies can enhance availability.
Scalability and lifecycle operations
Standardized device SKUs, centralized SIM management, and uniform firmware baselines simplify multi-country rollouts. KPI dashboards for uptime, latency, and ticket resolution keep operations on track. Clear RMA and replacement policies reduce downtime for critical entry points.
Integration and data governance
Open APIs enable synchronization with property management platforms, visitor systems, and security operations. Define data ownership and retention early, including video clips and event logs. Ensure processes for lawful access requests, incident response, and evidence handling.
What’s next for connected access
As connected access scales, expect new revenue streams, architectural shifts, and ecosystem alignment.
Monetization and service growth
Fermax’s march toward 100,000 connected panels creates room for subscription features like advanced visitor management, analytics on access patterns, and premium support tiers. Property managers value uptime guarantees and proactive maintenance; operators can package these as differentiated SLAs.
Network evolution: LTE-M and 5G RedCap
4G will serve most video intercom workloads, but LTE-M could benefit battery-backed peripherals, while 5G RedCap may emerge for moderate bandwidth with lower complexity. Evaluate trade-offs in module cost, power, and longevity before committing to multi-year device designs.
eSIM, RSP, and standards evolution
Advances in IoT eSIM and remote SIM provisioning are improving supply chain flexibility and cross-border operations. Keep an eye on evolving GSMA specifications and building-tech interoperability frameworks to future-proof deployments and integrations.
Bottom line for telecom and enterprise buyers
Managed IoT connectivity is turning access control into a reliable, software-defined service with measurable outcomes.
Actionable next steps
For operators: productize building IoT with managed connectivity, security monitoring, and APIs. For OEMs and property owners: standardize on 4G modules with a managed connectivity backbone, enforce strong device security, and plan for multi-year lifecycle operations. The Telefónica Tech–Fermax collaboration shows how to scale connected access with control, resilience, and a clear path to new services.
