Building a global, free and open IoT network (opens in new tab)

The protocol speaks LoRaWAN, which isn't IP. The data will get sent via a distributed network, over IP (using MQTT), to a server of your choice. This application server (run by you or someone else) can then store the data, have a REST API endpoint, MQTT channel, or whatever service that runs there.

915 MHz

it would be so cool to just fiddle with IoT sensors without worrying about a nearby wifi hotspot with access. Just using the Things network as a free and open road is a beautiful idea.

According to the spec [1] it's for both mobile and fixed devices:

"LoRaWAN™ network protocol which is optimized for battery- powered end-devices that may be either mobile or mounted at a fixed location. "

[1] http://www.lora-alliance.org/portals/0/specs/LoRaWAN%20Speci...

I spoke with one associated with the lora alliance today and 1) yes, up to about 300 km/h, and 2) they perform well up to 20m underground in cities if gateways are placed every 500-1000m.

SIGFOX has certain limits (outside of theoretical and practical bandwidth restrictions) placed on it. radio-electronics.com (http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/wireless/sigfox/basics...) states up to 140 messages of 12 bytes per object per day, with a throughput of up to 100 bytes per second.

The Things network, on the other hand, seems to supply its services openly and freely without limits, using the LoRaWan spec. Semtech (http://www.semtech.com/wireless-rf/lora/LoRa-FAQs.pdf) says it provides between 0.3 and 11kbps of bandwidth, so in theory your speeds can be anywhere from 3x to 111x higher.

I'm not an expert but a big difference is packet size: Sigfox is limited to 12 bytes, while LoRaWAN is up to 256 (iirc). Sigfox also imposes a max of 140 messages per day. Also, the governing body of LoRa is open (lora alliance), while Sigfox is closed. In general, the LoRaWAN approach is more open, with most if not all of the infrastructure being open sourced.

Thanks Thomas!

Awesome!

the whole city? How cool is that! #dreamingofgoingbacktogroningen