IoT Wireless Networks

[Geoff Sizer]

Question from 5-Jul Webinar: 

Can you please briefly outline the pros and cons of the competing wireless protocols for IoT application.

Answer:

This topic is the subject of a webinar on 9-Aug-16 "The future of narrowband communication technologies enabling the IOT"

The webinar will address technologies for Wide Area Networking (3G/4G/5G/NB-IOT, Sigfox, LoRa, Ingenu), local area networking (WiFi, 6LoWPAN, Zigbee) and personal Area Networking (Bluetooth, BLE).

[Geoff Sizer]

Question from 5-Jul Webinar: 

The Netherlands are currently rolling out the world's first IoT Network. Do you have thoughts on this implementation, and have there been discussions in Australia for rollouts like this in the future?

Answer:

Netherlands rollout http://www.gizmag.com/netherlands-nationwide-iot-network/44134/ is based on LoRa.

Thinxtra http://www.thinxtra.com/ are in the process of rolling out SigFox in Australia, with the aim of covering areas containing 85% of Australia's population within 18 months.

Back in mid 2015, NNN Co http://www.nnnco.com.au/   announced plans for an Australia-wide LoRa network rollout – but has gone quiet lately.

IoTOz http://www.iotoz.com.au/ are making noises about an Ingenu rollout – timeline unknown.

http://www.iotaustralia.org.au/2016/03/14/iotnewanz/iotoz-launch-ingenu-lpwan-australia-new-zealand/

Taggle http://www.taggle.com.au/   has some presence, primarily in regional areas. 

Expect to see activity from the telcos (Optus, Vodafone, Telstra) with NB-IoT rollouts starting late 2016 or in 2017.

A lot of activity is happening or has been foreshadowed in Australia.  Not all of the foreshadowed rollouts will necessarily gain the commercial backing required to proceed nation-wide. Thinxtra's SigFox rollout appears to be the only planned nation-wide rollout which is actually happening at this point (Jul-16).