Earlier this year, ABI Research found that the LoRaWAN protocol is the leading license-exempt low-power wide-area (LPWA) network technology addressing IoT vertical markets, which include metering, cities, asset tracking, and logistics, commercial building automation, and home.
The study also revealed, based on interviews with key developers and decision-makers, that LoRa devices will play an important role as a key LPWA network technology, noting that 5G and non-cellular network technology will co-exist in the form of hybrid networks or multi-RAN architectures.
Despite all the hype, ABI said full 5G will take longer than expected and is not capable of addressing massive IoT in the near term.
Today, according to ABI, LoRa leads in LPWA technology. By 2026, LoRa is expected to be the leading non-cellular LPWA network technology and will account for over a one-fourth share of all LPWA network connections and more than half of all non-cellular LPWA connections. Total non-cellular LPWA connections, ABI reported, in 2026 are expected to reach 1.3 billion.
It makes sense, then, that the disparate LoRaWAN networks being built may benefit from extending their networks through a coalition of sorts – not dissimilar from the way IP networks evolved to interconnection models to support growth.
One of the world’s most mature providers of LoRaWAN services today announced new services and network coverage plans to deliver broader access to low power wide area network (LPWAN) coverage for IoT applications across the United States.
Senet introduced “integration services that enable seamless interconnectivity between Senet and 3rd party LoRaWAN networks, and wholesale network plans that allow operator partners to sell Senet coverage with carrier-grade service level agreements.”
Senet’s experience operating the largest and most densely deployed public carrier-grade LoRaWAN network in the United States has led to several innovative and disruptive service offerings and business models designed to rapidly deploy and expand IoT network coverage, including the company’s Radio Access Network (RAN) Partner Services, Operator Enablement Services and patented Low Power Wide Area Virtual Network (LVN).
“Senet Extended Coverage” will enable Senet’s public network customers with expanded access to the connectivity provided by contracted operator partners.
“Senet Extended Coverage allows its customers to use 3rd party operator partner networks in areas where Senet is not yet deployed or access densified connectivity where Senet and its partners both offer coverage,” the company’s announcement said.
In addition, Senet is now offering connectivity plans that enable operator partners to sell wholesale, SLA-backed network coverage.
“As demand for LoRaWAN network services grows at a rapid pace, we are continuously innovating to expand coverage and maintain our position as the benchmark for reliable service and support,” said Bruce Chatterley, CEO of Senet. “With our Extended Coverage offering and wholesale connectivity plans, customers benefit from greater and more reliable public low power wide area network access, which removes one of the most significant barriers to successfully scaling IoT deployments across cities, counties, and communities.”
Senet operates what they claim is the largest and most densely deployed public carrier-grade LoRaWAN network in the United States, deployed in over 29 states, covering over 1,300 cities, serving a population of over 55 million people, and processing millions of transactions daily.
Arti Loftus is an experienced Information Technology specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the research, writing, and editing industry with many published articles under her belt.Edited by
Luke Bellos
