Launceston's LoRa IoT network goes live

Australia's first city-wide Internet of Things LoRa network was launched in Launceston on 17 March.

The Tasmanian Government has contributed $100,000 to the project, which will see the long-range, low-power, wide area network rolled out across the city.

The wireless, open-access network is designed to be a resource for organisations such as councils, start-up companies, businesses, schools and government departments.

Sensors can be connected to the network to measure such things as water levels, temperature, moisture or movement, or to remotely control equipment.

The network will be run out of Enterprize Launceston, the government’s IT industry start-up hub and incubator.

Launceston company Definium Technologies manufactured the wireless gateways powering the network.

This first stage of the network uses four gateways in central Launceston and surrounding locations.

Another six to eight gateways will be launched in the next stage to give even greater network coverage. The entire network is expected to be completed in April.

The entire city and surrounding areas up to a range of about 25 kilometres will be covered.

Businesses, organisations, start-ups, schools, developers and researchers are encouraged to connect to the network and experiment with sensors and data.

Over the next two weeks, Enterprize Tasmania will host workshops about the network at its Launceston and Hobart hubs so that community members can find out more about the opportunity and create new applications.

Image courtesy Definium Technologies

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