US IoT provider Senet has released a suite of radio access network (RAN) planning and management tools to support rollout of LoRaWAN networks by traditional infrastructure providers, and other new entrants, so they can get ‘skin’ in the IoT services game. It is also offering business development and co-marketing initiatives.
The firm said its new RAN-planning suite is open to all, including network operators, tower companies, municipalities, building owners, and solution providers, and covers “everything” for both new challengers and old hands to design, deploy, and manage “carrier-grade LoRaWAN networks”, both indoors and outdoors.
Senet said the package allows network owners to deploy and manage their LoRaWAN operations, themselves, from a single cloud-based network control room, or to contract the firm, itself, to deploy the infrastructure, as required. The service is available in 80 countries, said Senet, where it offers coverage and connectivity “readiness”.
The new service covers network design and RF planning, including gateway placement, end-node coverage simulation, and redundancy strategies and planning. It also offers real-time system monitoring, and “reporting on the aggregation of alerts”; site evaluation and acquisition services, and hardware acquisition and provisioning, are available as optional extras.
Senet claims to manage the largest LoRaWAN network in the US; it promotes “carrier-grade” network support, backed by around-the-clock NOC facility.
Bruce Chatterley, chief executive at Senet, commented: “To support the scale and operational complexities of IoT, legacy network architectures and business models are being replaced with cloud-based services, innovative RAN deployment models, and partner engagements that allow companies of all types to participate in the IoT economy,
“A shared RAN infrastructure is a key step toward delivering lower connectivity costs and interoperability and we’re committed to providing tools that enable our RAN partners to deliver robust network services under a mutually beneficial financial model.”
Last month, Senet secured a $16 million funding round to accelerate the deployment and densification of its LoRaWAN network in the US to support utility and municipal network builds. The round was led by venture capital firm Fisk Ventures.
It comes on the back of a “significant increase” in demand for LoRaWAN solutions from the energy and utility sectors, said Senet. The funds will also go to expand global business development and co-marketing activities with network operators, tower companies, and radio access network (RAN) providers.
