Hubble Network has partnered with InPlay Inc. to deliver global asset tracking at a cost point comparable to passive RFID, aiming to address long-standing visibility gaps in supply chains and logistics.
The collaboration combines InPlay’s IN100 NanoBeacon chip with Hubble’s satellite-powered Bluetooth network, which the company says includes more than 95 million gateways worldwide. The integrated solution is designed to enable continuous, item-level tracking and sensor data transmission without requiring dedicated infrastructure or complex hardware deployment.
At the center of the offering is InPlay’s IN100 NanoBeacon, a compact, low-power chip that can be embedded into smart labels, wearables, and small IoT tracking devices. When paired with Hubble’s firmware, the devices can connect directly to the satellite-backed network, allowing manufacturers to begin transmitting telemetry and location data immediately after deployment.
The partnership targets a key limitation of traditional tracking technologies. While passive RFID tags are widely used due to their low cost, they require close-range scanning and supporting infrastructure, restricting their effectiveness across extended supply chains. Industry estimates suggest that only a small percentage of companies have visibility beyond second-tier suppliers, leading to significant operational inefficiencies and financial losses.
Hubble and InPlay position their solution as an alternative that combines affordability with global reach. Unlike LTE-based cellular trackers, which cover a limited portion of the Earth’s landmass, the satellite-enabled network is designed to provide near-global coverage. This approach allows businesses to monitor assets continuously without relying on localized scanning points or cellular connectivity.
Alex Haro, CEO and co-founder of Hubble Network, said the platform removes the need for physical scanning infrastructure by acting as a digital layer for monitoring physical assets. He noted that the combination of scalable, low-power chips and a global network could make item-level visibility more accessible to a broader range of businesses.
Jason Wu, co-founder and CEO of InPlay, highlighted the shift from traditional trade-offs between cost and coverage. He said the partnership enables customers to deploy tracking solutions that are both affordable and capable of transmitting data globally, effectively turning individual items into connected data points.
The companies plan to pursue joint go-to-market initiatives across several application areas, including smart labeling, cold chain monitoring, returnable transport assets, and wearable devices.
The announcement builds on recent developments for both firms. Hubble Network has expanded its ecosystem through integrations with other platforms, while InPlay’s NanoBeacon technology has gained traction among industry partners in the semiconductor and IoT sectors.
