Semtech Corporation, a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, has announced itsLoRa devices and Wireless RF Technology is featured in a new low power, wide area network (LPWAN) designed to deliver the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) to the remote destination of the Cook Islands. This network is the second deployment in the South Pacific by IoT network and software providers KotahiNet and Loriot that also created the LoRaWAN-based IoT network in New Zealand. Both networks enable a wide range of smart city, agriculture, metering, environmental, consumer and industrial applications.
“Rolling out a LoRaWAN network in the Cook Islands was a natural fit for us,” said Vikram Kumar, Director of KotahiNet. “We’ve already proven the effectiveness of LoRa technology in New Zealand where our network is being rapidly rolled out, covering over half the population in a matter of months. The coverage includes some very remote rural areas, where LoRa-based sensors and gateways provide excellent coverage while using very low power to ensure sensor batteries last several years without needing to be replaced. The population in the Cook Islands is much smaller than New Zealand, but the people there still have many of the same needs for smart technology. By working with Bluesky Cook Islands and using network operations services from Loriot and LoRa technology from Semtech, we were able to quickly and economically implement a secure, standards-based IoT network that will benefit the people of this region for years to come.”
Cook Island LoRaWAN Network
Working with the country’s sole telecom service provider, Bluesky Cook Islands, KotahiNet has initially deployed the LPWAN in northern Rarotonga, the largest isle in the chain, covering about a quarter of the island. Both companies plan to expand the network to the rest of the island before deploying it to the other islands of the country. This public LoRaWAN-based IoT network provides the Cook Islands with a smart sensing infrastructure, allowing businesses and government organizations to collect and analyze environmental data, and make intelligent decisions about their business operations and scarce island resources. To help people understand the benefits and opportunities this new technology provides, Bluesky is providing free access to the network for people and organizations looking to test or connect a few sensors at a time.
New Zealand LoRaWAN Network
Following the deployment of the LoRaWAN network in New Zealand, KotahiNet is now building products and services that leverage the benefits of the technology. One example is a tank monitor for remotely measuring the level of a liquid or solid in a tank. This simple, versatile sensor uses KotahiNet’s LoRaWAN IoT network to overcome the distance limitations and lack of long battery life typical of existing products. Similar connected products and other smart applications can also be implemented in the Cook Islands.
“The collaboration between KotahiNet and Loriot to implement a public, LoRa-based LPWAN for the Cook Islands and other regions in the South Pacific is an excellent example of how companies in the LoRa Alliance™ can work together to deploy IoT solutions in even the most remote places,” said Marc Pegulu, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless and Sensing Product Group at Semtech. “The value of having a standards-based approach to building a LPWAN is that you can quickly set it up anywhere using hardware and software that is secure, interoperable, and works the way you expect, whether you’re in a dense urban area or a distant rural outpost.”
Semtech, KotahiNet and Loriot are members of the LoRa Alliance, a group of more than 400 companies committed to driving and enhancing the LoRaWAN specification to ensure interoperability and scalability of LPWANs and IoT applications. Through its work with member companies and IoT industry groups, the LoRa Alliance is making LoRaWAN the standard for LPWANs focused on low-power, long-range IoT applications. To date, there are LoRaWAN public and private networks in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Key Features of LoRa RF Technology:
- Long Range: A single base station using LoRa technology enables deep penetration capability for dense urban environments and indoor coverage, while also providing the ability to connect to sensors more than 15-30 miles away in rural areas.
- Low Power: The LoRaWAN protocol was developed specifically for low power and enables unprecedented battery lifetime of up to 20 years depending on the application.
- Standardized: The LoRaWAN protocol ensures interoperability among applications, IoT solution providers and telecom operators to speed adoption and deployment.
- Secure: Embedded end to end encryption of data ensuring optimal privacy and protection against unauthorized access.
- Low Cost: LoRa Technology reduces both upfront infrastructure investments and operating costs, as well as end-node sensor costs.
For more information please visit www.semtech.com.
