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Swiss telco aims to switch on LoRaWAN network by end of 2016.
Swisscom announced on Monday it will deploy an Internet of Things (IoT) network with a view to launching services by the end of 2016.
The network will be based on the LoRa Alliance’s Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) standard, which uses unlicensed spectrum to send small amounts of data over long distances.
"In many cases, we only need devices to be able to transmit the smallest units of information. This is precisely why we are setting up this network: in order to efficiently network objects such as fire hydrants, bicycles, umbrellas and much more." Said Christian Petit, head of Swisscom Enterprise Customers, in a statement.
Swisscom launched a pilot IoT network in Geneva and Zurich last spring. It received interest from more than 100 companies, public authorities and universities. Since then, 15 concept services have been developed, with some in the prototype phase and others already in operation.
Early use cases for the network include smart parking spaces, optimising waste collection by deploying sensors in rubbish bins, connected letterboxes, and smart energy meters, among others, the telco said.
Swisscom plans to provide outdoor IoT network coverage to 80% of Switzerland’s population by the end of this year. Partial indoor coverage in 10 cities is also being planned.
