NEW DELHI: Brazil’s water and sanitation company SABESP has partnered with Telefonica/Vivo and IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST) to deploy what the companies describe as the world’s largest IoT connectivity project for smart water management.

Under the 14-year strategic partnership, 4.4 million smart water meters will be securely connected across São Paulo City and São José dos Campos, creating a large-scale digital infrastructure aimed at improving water distribution, detecting leaks and reducing water losses.

Vivo will provide its connectivity and network capabilities, while IDEMIA Secure Transactions will deploy secure and scalable eSIM IoT technology to support the connected meter network. The solution uses IST’s eSIMs and eSIM IoT platform and complies with the GSMA SGP.32 standard, with advanced cryptographic capabilities designed to support future security requirements, including post-quantum readiness.

The project is expected to give SABESP and its customers greater visibility into water consumption, including hourly usage patterns, while enabling faster identification of anomalies and leaks. More frequent and accurate water balances could also help improve the efficiency of distribution networks and reduce water wastage.

Denis Maia, Executive Director of Customers and Technology at SABESP, said smart metering would provide greater visibility into consumption and enable the rapid identification of leaks and anomalies, supporting more efficient management of water distribution networks.

Beyond operational improvements, the initiative is designed to contribute to São Paulo’s environmental sustainability goals. By enabling real-time monitoring and quicker leak detection, the connected infrastructure could help conserve water resources and encourage more responsible consumption among consumers.

Adriano Pereira, Director of IoT and B2B Innovation at Vivo, said the company's role extends beyond connectivity, combining network reach with IoT infrastructure, data integration, solution design and operational capabilities to support smarter and more sustainable essential services.

SABESP also expects digital metering to strengthen its relationship with consumers by providing greater transparency over water consumption. Luiz Renato Fraga Rios, Revenue Protection Director at SABESP, said the technology would help customers become more effective managers of their water use while enabling faster repairs of leaks occurring after meters.

The companies said the partnership demonstrates how IoT, secure connectivity and digital infrastructure can modernise essential public services while delivering environmental and social benefits.

Diego Cecchinato, SVP Connectivity Services LATAM at IDEMIA Secure Transactions, said the partnership with SABESP and Vivo demonstrates how technology and sustainability can work together to protect natural resources and strengthen critical infrastructure.

The large-scale deployment could also serve as a model for utilities and cities globally seeking to modernise water infrastructure through secure, connected technologies.

Keywords: SABESP, Vivo, IDEMIA Secure Transactions, IoT, smart water meters, Brazil, São Paulo, smart water management, eSIM IoT, GSMA SGP.32, water conservation, leak detection, digital transformation, sustainability, connected infrastructure