Communication network around Earth. Photo: NASA, Via Satellite

EchoStarMobile, an EchoStar subsidiary, has reached a deal with Semtech Corporation to test satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity services enabled by the LoRaWAN protocol. 

LoRaWAN is a protocol for Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) that is used for IoT networks. It has recently expanded to include Long Range – Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (LR-FHSS) data rates.  This extends the LoRaWAN protocol’s support to enable direct data links from end nodes to satellites. 

Marc Pegulu, vice president of IoT product marketing and strategy for Semtech said the companies are working on a complementary satellite and terrestrial LoRaWAN network connectivity services for customers who require global coverage including over land and sea. 

“New LoRa satellite services are expected to bring lower price points to the market, opening up a larger addressable opportunity across key industries including logistics, asset tracking, transportation, utilities, agriculture, and maritime,” commented Telemaco Melia, senior director of Commercial Operations at EchoStar Mobile. 

The release did not include more specific details on what the collaboration may entail or deadlines for the work.