Australian IoT networking company National Narrowband Network Co (NNNCo) has completed deployment of a LoRaWAN network in Tasmania in conjunction with local energy distribution utility TasNetworks. LoRaWAN gateways have been deployed on TasNetworks’ utility assets across the island state, south of the Australian mainland, providing coverage to its main population zones.
The partnership, announced six months ago, also involves 42-24, the IT and telecoms division of TasNetworks. TasNetworks wants to use the network to connect IoT devices for grid safety, street lighting, and digital metering. 42-24 will also seek to re-sell IoT connectivity and services running on the new LoRaWAN network to third parties, including local councils and enterprises, as well as farming businesses and other utilities.
Lance Balcombe, chief executive at TasNetworks, said: “This agreement opens the door to a host of innovations around grid safety, street lighting and digital metering, to name a few. By connecting key assets and infrastructure we expect to boost efficiency and safety, reduce energy consumption, and help customers save time and money. These improvements will be a win win for residents, business and Tasmania as a whole.”
42-24 said in a statement: “Having access to enterprise-grade connectivity across Tasmania will bring significant opportunities to our cities, farms and enterprises deploying their own IoT solutions. It could be a business tracking its assets, farmers monitoring irrigators or soil moisture, cities and towns improving energy efficiencies, or a water utility protecting its critical infrastructure.”
Rob Zagarella, chief executive at NNNCo, said: “We’re pleased to extend the coverage of our National Narrowband Network into Tasmania, and we expect to further extend the network in line with customer demand. The investment in this infrastructure in Tasmania is an important development, not just for Australia but for IoT globally.”
NNNCo said 130 network operators are now running public and private LoRaWAN networks in 91 countries, managing over 180 million LoRaWAN-based end nodes. Latest figures from the LoRa Alliance claim active LoRaWAN networks in more than 160 countries, with “full” roaming available in 27.
