The Belgian gas distributor will implement this smart metering initiative with Proximus LoRa network
Belgium gas distributor Antargaz announced it will equip its propane gas meters with smart sensors, which will automatically transmit meter readings using local telco Proximus’ LoRa network.
Antargaz said that once the LoRa sensor is connected to an Antargaz gas meter connected to a propane gas network, the readings will be transmitted periodically and can be consulted at any given point on an online platform which will be provided by software firm SilentSoft.
The company is beginning to install the LoRa sensors this month and has already contacted more than 1,000 of Antargaz’s customers to inform them of the smart metering project. The roll-out is expected to take between six and 12 months.
Proximus has been rolling out its LoRa network since 2015, achieving national coverage at the end of last year. The Belgian telco is a founding member of the LoRa Alliance. Proximus has also been trialling NB-IoT.
Kerlink expands operations to India with new subsidiary
In related news, French IoT specialist Kerlink announced its expansion into India with the creation of a subsidiary that will coordinate the company’s partnership with local firm Tata Communications to deploy a LoRaWAN network in the Asian nation.
The rollout, which will provide IoT connectivity to more than 400 million people in nearly 2,000 cities and communities across India, will include more than 10,000 Kerlink Wirnet iBTS Compact stations. The new subsidiary, Kerlink IoT Solutions India Private, is based in Chennai, India.
“The internet of things will have enthusiastic reception in India in the major application categories of transport, agriculture, asset tracking, logistics, smart cities, smart homes and security and safety. These are being driven by strong and dynamic programs led by the state and private companies, like ‘100 Smart Cities’,” said Girish Dadheech, CEO of Kerlink India. “The LoRaWAN network, powered by Kerlink stations, can be deployed simply and will quickly begin delivering the two-way connectivity throughout Tata Communications’ targeted nationwide coverage areas.”
