Singapore’s first sensor network was launched by SPTel, a joint venture company of ST Engineering and SP Group. SPTel’s Sensor Network is powered by LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network).
It’s a first of its kind network that has been built for the national scale to increase the accessibility of IoT technologies and sensors for business applications, government projects and smart initiatives.
The SPTel Sensor Network allows authenticated sensor devices to wirelessly connect to its secure IoT-as-a-service platform and backhaul connectivity.
Businesses and IoT solution providers can now easily connect to this network with greater speed and cost efficiency, eliminating the need to build their own network.
What is LoRaWAN Technology?
LoRaWAN specification, an industry-standard promoted by LoRa Alliance supports the SPTel wireless sensor network.
It is a long-range radio frequency protocol that allows things to connect to the internet over a long range with low power consumption.
This network allows device battery life to last up to 10 years thus solving a key IoT predicament. This higher compatibility with other networks and lower maintenance costs will bring in many new and exciting use case opportunities for enterprises and solutions providers.
This solution will allow devices to connect wirelessly to each other and acts as an alternative to 4G, 5G or Wi-Fi options for IoT use cases with low data transmission requirements.
Data collected through LoRaWAN sensors then can be sent for analysis to automate manual processes, enable predictive maintenance, increase productivity, and improve overall operational efficiency.
The Solar Powered Gateways
The LoRaWAN gateways, which run on solar energy, are cost efficient and fast to deploy. LoRaWAN is bi-directional communication protocol with very low power consumption making it a highly sustainable solution for the long-term deployment of sensors.
This will help with a massive deployment of potential smart solutions quickly such as asset tracking, street lighting, waste management, water level and flood management, air quality control and rodent monitoring system in hawker centres and wet markets which enable targeted and effective pest control.
SPTel’s Sensor Network coverage currently includes more than 70% of heartlands, 42% hawker centres, 52% town councils, and will continue to expand to meet the growing needs of partners and customers.
A Boon to IoT Solution Providers
A welcome feature for IoT solutions providers and sensor companies, this sensor network is built to business class specifications that supports all devices regardless of vendor, device type or technical specification to power sustainability, public health and safety.
This is a new low-cost and proven IoT connectivity beyond cellular connectivity which can help in jumpstarting the IoT deployment free from upfront investments and the hassles of infrastructure ownership and management.
