Low Power Wide Area Networks
In an increasingly connected world, wireless connectivity is more essential than ever. Consumer demands are escalating as wireless extends from PC peripherals and home entertainment applications to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M) communication.
LoRa™, which stands for Long-Range Wireless, is based on a proprietary technology developed by our partner, Semtech. LoRa utilizes a digital spread spectrum modulation and proprietary protocol in the Sub-GHz RF band to
enable long range greater than 10 miles, low power and high network capacity.
SIGFOX uses a UNB (Ultra Narrow Band) based radio technology to connect devices to its global network. The use of UNB is
key to providing a scalable, high-capacity network, with very low energy consumption, while maintaining a simple and easy to rollout star-based cell infrastructure.
| Business Model | Private or Public Network, Technology sell | Public Network Service sell (subscription) by SIGFOX |
| Coverage | Local or country-wide deployments | All continents and countries. Free roaming |
| Topology | Spread spectrum proprietary radio technology (wideband CDMA), Point to Multipoint | UNB (ultra narrow band) and SDR (software defind radio), Point to Multipoint |
| Frequency Bands | Free ISM bands, ETSI & FCC: EU: 868 MHz/433 MHz North America: 902-928 MHz China: 779-787 MHz | Free ISM bands, ETSI & FCC: EU: 868 MHz for Europe (RCZ1) North America: 902/915 MHz (RCZ2) Other areas following |
| Infrastructure Cost | Part of the System cost. Gateways have to be installed as well as cloud systems | Base stations installed by SIGFOX Cell Phone concept Data provided in SIGFOX cloud |
| Device Ecosystem | Semtech | Open & Large partner ecosystem |
| Microchip Content | µC micro + Semtech radio Module (above combined) | Single Chip solution: µC with TRX |