Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology providers enable system integrators and end customers to deploy LPWAN-based IoT solutions. They develop the network stack and can deploy an IoT network as either a physical appliance on the customer’s premises, a virtual appliance in the cloud, or a network-as-a-service. The technology providers may offer gateway and sensor management, procurement, onboarding, and troubleshooting, as well as connectivity to customer applications, and network planning and development services.
In this GigaOm Radar Report, we will be featuring LPWAN technology providers that use at least one protocol in unlicensed electromagnetic spectrum bands. Unlicensed spectrum can be used by anyone without the need to buy FCC licenses for specific frequency bands (which is common for cellular connectivity). This lowers the barrier to entry as well as the costs (compared to licensed spectrum) and means that unlicensed LPWAN IoT connectivity is more open to disruption by startups and can typically be offered at lower overall cost.
To deliver IoT solutions, LPWAN technology providers often partner with system integrators, who handle the physical deployment and implementation of the solution. For this report, we will be assessing each technology provider’s capabilities against the key criteria without relying on system integrators. For example, relative to the Network Design or Application Development metrics, some technology providers do not offer these features in-house, so they rely on partners to deliver these services. In such cases, the vendor would score a 0 on the metric.
LPWAN connectivity is suitable for applications with the following characteristics:
- Long range of up to 10 km/6 miles wireless connectivity from sensor to gateway/base station/access point
- Low power consumption, with device battery life lasting up to 10 years
- Terrain and building penetration to circumvent line-of-sight issues
- Low operational costs (device management or connection subscription cost)
- Low data transfer rate of roughly 20kbps
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Chris Grundemann was among the most energetic and competent members of our Council throughout his time as an elected member. I found(find) Chris a most thoughtful man who brought insight and experience to the role, but was also always a genuine and professional member exerting leadership with tact and good humor. I think highly of Chris both as a technical professional and community leader, but also as a trusted friend.
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