Unique combination of S-bands satellite service with LoRa protocol unleashes the potential of mobile and remote connectivity to millions of devices.
EchoStar Mobile Limited, an agile, innovative mobile satellite service provider owned by EchoStar Corporation, today announced the launch of an early adopter program for pan-European satellite LoRa® Internet of Things (IoT) service and a White Paper on access to the benefits of massive IoT.
Under the program, participants in sectors such as transportation and logistics, agriculture, oil and gas and utilities will test a satellite-enabled connectivity solution that leverages the LoRa® (meaning “Long Range”) low-power protocol to connect “things” to the Internet. The White Paper, entitled Satellite-based LoRa Unlocks Europe-wide IoT, explores applications and how space-based connectivity can help streamline, automate, and enhance IoT networks.
Telemaco Melia, vice president and general manager of EchoStar Mobile, said: “LoRa connectivity accounts for 45% of today’s global IoT network; it’s perfect for connecting low-energy ‘things’, but its reliance on terrestrial connectivity limits its usability.”
The EchoStar Mobile solution replaces fiber and cable with satellite connectivity and is the first two-way LoRa service in real time with mobile and remote features. Our program accelerates the adoption of massive IoT and already spans more than 10,000 devices, and the service is expected to scale to millions of units in Europe alone. “
LoRa is a low-power network protocol that is ideal for connecting battery-powered devices; however, until now, its use has been limited to receiving data from immobile devices in areas with terrestrial connectivity. The EchoStar Mobile solution allows sensors to roam freely in real time while sending and receiving information. It makes use of the company’s licensed S-band spectrum and capacity on the EchoStar XXI geostationary satellite with a LoRa-enabled module that can be easily integrated into IoT devices. Compatible with terrestrial ISM tapes LoRaWAN® networksThe module incorporates the compact LR1120 chipset from Semtech, making it extremely portable and capable of roaming anywhere within the satellite footprint that spans the European continent.
Mr. Melia continued: “Big data is the new currency in a world of accelerating change. Rapid data collection, processing and management are essential to optimize industrial processes and change society through innovation, whether by supporting the broader development of Smart Cities or the transition to renewable energy. Achieving the full potential of IoT means accessing data from thousands of machines, factories or distribution facilities, no matter how remote, and bringing it to a central point of analysis and insight. The EchoStar Mobile satellite-enabled LoRa network enables industries to use IoT in innovative ways that can transform their operations. “
That EchoStar Mobile LoRa The early adopter program will run through 2022 with commercial availability expected around the end of the year.
