During H2 of 2022, commercial services will be launched, with pilot programmes beginning in February.
Cloud software provider Senet has partnered with Eutelsat Communications, TrakAssure, and Wyld Networks to offer interoperable terrestrial and satellite LoRaWAN IoT connectivity.
The organisations have formed the Multimodal IoT Infrastructure Consortium (MMIIC) to bring solutions targeting the supply chain industry, including container logistics and related asset tracking to market.
Further solidifying this multi-party collaboration, the organisations have formed the Multimodal IoT Infrastructure Consortium (MMIIC) with an initial focus on formalising and completing all technical tests, pilots, and the commercial delivery of its first-to-market supply chain solutions. This will be followed by the prioritisation and delivery of additional solutions designed to extend the adoption of LoRaWAN connectivity into markets that can benefit from the combination of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and terrestrial network connectivity.
The key activities being executed in support of the collaboration include currently being tested, ELO nanosatellites (Eutelsat LEO for Objects) will provide LoRaWAN coverage, allowing sensor-enabled devices to transmit data, irrespective of their location, addressing gaps in terrestrial network coverage across rural areas, shipping and transportation routes, and other hard to reach areas.
Luc Perard, Senior Vice President, IoT Business at Eutelsat, said: Existing LPWA networks, including LoRaWAN, are ideal to connect assets that dont send much data and need to operate on a low power budget. But they rely on terrestrial infrastructures, such as LoRaWAN gateways, which will never cover more than extended urban areas, i.e. less than 15% of the Earths surface. With its satellite connectivity offering ELO, Eutelsat will enable network operators like Senet to propose transformational, global, hybrid (terrestrial + satellite) LoRaWAN connectivity, over lands and seas, at the same low-price points. Because ELO is fully compatible with the LoRaWAN standard, IoT solution providers and device manufacturers like TrakAssure and Wyld can easily, rapidly and inexpensively adapt their existing LoRaWAN products to make them ELO-compatible and benefit from up to 100% Earth coverage.
Senet will provide terrestrial LoRaWAN network connectivity and offer Eutelsat satellite coverage through its Extended Coverage services. Through unique network and device management capabilities, end IoT devices will connect to Senet terrestrial networks by default and automatically switch to satellite when coverage gaps are recognised. In partnership with TrakAssure and Wyld Networks, Senet will also complete application integration and device testing with its network server to ensure the delivery of carrier-grade network service and robust device management for TrakAssures supply chain visibility solutions.
Bruce Chatterley, CEO of Senet, added: IoT will drive economic growth for decades to come, but a comprehensive and cost-effective strategy is needed in order to deliver robust network coverage across geography as massive as the United States. Senets terrestrial Network, extended coverage through partners like Helium, innovative LPWAN Virtual Network program, and now satellite creates the first and only true national and global LoRaWAN IoT network, covering any geographic area required. This capacity is especially important to logistics applications and is another example of Senet innovating based on unique market and customer requirements.
TrakAssure and Wyld Networks are collaborating on the design and production of a new sensor-enabled end device to be used for supply chain and asset tracking solutions. Using standard LoRaWAN compliant chips and components will allow for low cost and time to market advantages. Through its partnership with Senet, TrakAssure will be offering terrestrial and satellite LoRaWAN network connectivity for a single trip, semi and permanent infrastructure-based supply chain visibility. In addition to location tracking and presence detection, TrakAssure supports LoRaWAN devices used for temperature monitoring, geofence location alerts, proof of delivery and other supply chain visibility requirements.
Don Miller, Board Member at TrakAssure, stated: We are very excited to be part of a consortium of thought leaders launching the worlds first LoRaWAN direct-to-satellite with terrestrial dual-mode network compatibility. The combined effort will usher in a fresh, cost-effective and carrier-grade solution opening up new applications in logistics and global asset tracking markets by not only leveraging cost-efficient terrestrial-based LoRaWAN solutions, but now expanding capability with ubiquitous global connectivity via satellite which even existing cellular solutions cannot support, especially for emerging markets.”
Alastair Williamson, CEO of Wyld Networks, commented: The lack of affordable wireless coverage is holding back the growth of the Internet of Things from contributing an additional $2tn to $3tn in value to global GDP over the next decade. Combining two advanced frontier technologies of LoRaWAN and Low Earth Orbiting satellites we can enable 100% global, affordable and low power connectivity to support IoT deployments in multiple markets and segments.
