PHY Wireless and Surfact Partnered on Edge Tracking
The collaboration integrates cellular-based positioning into ruggedized devices to improve logistics tracking in signal-restricted environments.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Telecommunications
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PHY Wireless and logistics tracker manufacturer Surfact have announced a technology partnership to embed edge-based cellular positioning into cargo-monitoring hardware. The effort aims to improve location tracking for perishable goods as Surfact expands its platform into North America.
Why it matters
Logistics providers frequently encounter gaps in visibility when GPS signals are blocked by containers or buildings, and this technology addresses the need for consistent tracking without increasing device power consumption. Integrating positioning directly at the edge simplifies the hardware architecture needed for reliable supply chain monitoring.
The system utilizes cellular network signals to calculate device coordinates directly on the hardware. This approach provides a performance alternative to existing GPS-based systems that often suffer from signal degradation inside shipping containers or dense structures.
The players
PHY Wireless
A developer specializing in edge-based cellular positioning technology.
Surfact
A provider of ruggedized tracking devices for perishable goods operating in Europe and North America.
The details
The technology works by offloading positioning calculations from the network to the device itself using cellular signals to determine location. By using edge-based processing—performing data analysis locally on the hardware instead of on a remote server—the devices maintain operational longevity. This method allows Surfact to provide persistent monitoring for perishables in complex indoor environments where satellite signals are restricted or unavailable.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: PHY Wireless and Surfact announced their partnership.
The Tech Race
This collaboration mirrors the broader industry effort to move compute intelligence to the edge of the logistics network. By bypassing reliance on satellite-dependent hardware, the firms aim to establish a more resilient standard for tracking shipments across international borders.
Logistics providers and supply chain managers can expect better location consistency for shipments moving through urban environments and indoor hubs. The deployment is tied to Surfact's entry into North America, though specific pricing and availability dates for the hardware have not been announced.
The takeaway
The move to shift position calculations to the edge is a critical step in enabling reliable logistics visibility where GPS fails. Watch for the forthcoming launch of the integrated tracking platform as Surfact begins its expansion into the North American market.
Further reading
For more on how network-based location systems are evolving, see the Telecommunications archive.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Microwave Journal.
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