(iTers News) -When it comes to the depth and width of its IoT network coverage, Korea seems to be better place to launch IoT business initiatives than any other countries in the world. The country’s largest mobile service carrier SK Telecom has built Low Power Wide Area Network, LPWAN so widely and so deeply that it covers almost every corner of the country. The LoRa-based IoT network will complement SK’s already well—established LTE-M network to help the country’s IoT to launch a broad spectrum of IoT services from smart gas and electricity metering and monitoring to smart tracking to smart controlling services for lighting across the two IoT networks.
Broadly defined, there are the types of IoT networks; LTE-like cellular technology-based macro networks for higher data rate and wider coverage and short range wireless technology-based mesh networks for low power and narrow coverage applications like sensor nodes. In-between comes LPWAN, which is built around LoRa two way wireless RF technology-based LoRaWAN platform.
Pioneered by analog and mixed signal chip maker Semtech Corporation, the LoRa two-way wireless RF technology is a comprehensive solution for low power, long-range connectivity, which is essential for LPWANs. It offers deep penetrability, secure connectivity, long battery lifetime and streamlined implementation for simple network rollout, as well as integration into existing infrastructure. So, it is more suitable than mesh-networking for sensor networks.
SK Telecom’s IoT-dedicated LTE-M rollout was completed in March, 2016.
Powered by both of the cornerstone IoT networks, SK Telecom over 4 million devices would be connected over the two IoT-dedicated networks by the end of 2017.
“SK Telecom’s commercial LoRaWAN network deployment demonstrates its commitment to IoT, and we’re excited that Semtech’s LoRa technology is a cornerstone to both the LPWAN and its available IoT services,” said Marc Pegulu, Vice President and General Manager of Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Product Group. “By utilizing the standardized LoRaWAN specification, SK Telecom is helping ensure interoperability among its network and deployed modules, as well as long range connectivity, compatibility with existing infrastructure and extended battery life, which we believe is essential to help scale IoT adoption.”
Service roadmap
Given the nature of the LPWAN, the most available services will be metering, tracking and monitoring.
In the area of metering, the mobile service carrier is currently focusing on Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, which enables the utilities companies to not only accurately measure/monitor usage but also control the metering devices. SK Telecom has been conducting a pilot project on AMI with SK E&S since November 2015, and plans to expand the service coverage to more regions of the country in July 2016. Going forward, the company will launch AMI services for other utilities including water and electricity.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI is architecture for automated, two-way communication between a smart utility meter with an IP address and a utility company. AMI is expected to enhance user convenience and safety through its sophisticated remote metering & control features as well as automatic safety capabilities.
Tracking services to identify and track the location of vehicles, people/things, and assets are in focus. In cooperation with the local governments, the company plans to launch “Safe Watch,” a sort of wearable smart watch designed to enhance the safety of children and the elderly in July 2016.
Monitoring private and public facilities will in high demand. So, SK Telecom will offer monitoring services capable of controlling and managing manufacturing/public/commercial facilities. For instance, monitoring service for a company that has a large-scale production facility will ensure that the equipment within the facility are operated in an optimal manner and the production environment is kept safe at all times. Environmental monitoring of CO2 concentration, temperature/humidity, as well as hazardous substances – e.g., measuring concentration levels of radon in the atmosphere and soil – can also be provided. In August 2016, SK Telecom will start an environmental monitoring service at Changjo (Creative) Village in Sejong.
Furthermore, the company plans to launch a total of 20 LoRa-based IoT services by the end of 2016, including a manhole monitoring service in September and a real-time shared parking service in October.
Partner Hub Program
Expanding its IoT ecosystem is instrumental in its efforts to stake out IoT services as a next bread basket. On the way toward that goal, SK Telecom will be making multifaceted efforts to vitalize the IoT ecosystem encouraging app developers, small-and medium-sized companies and startups to join this loRa ecosystem. Vital to this effort is a ‘Partner Hub Program’ a comprehensive service and technology development platform to share its expertise and knowhow, provide training and conduct joint development/ marketing among the ecosystem partners. .
To support the development of IoT services and devices, SK Telecom will create a space called ‘IoT Open Testbed’ for SMEs and startups at its Bundang Building to offer a one-stop development environment – which encompasses network, device and platform – for IoT services. At IoT Open Testbed, SMEs and startups will be able to verify their IoT devices, carry out tests to check interoperability between their device and the IoT network/platform, and receive technical/service consultation.
SK Telecom also began providing LoRa modules free of charge on July 1, 2016. Aimed at facilitating the development and launch of LoRa services, the company will provide a total of 100,000 units of LoRa modules for free. Also, the low cost of the LoRa module – which is just one-fifth of that of an existing LTE module – will contribute to the development of the wide variety of IoT devices.
“SK Telecom is proud to announce the nationwide deployment of LoRaWAN as it marks the first important step towards realizing connectivity between infinite number of things, going beyond the traditional role of telecommunications centered on connectivity between people,” said Lee Hyung-hee, President of Mobile Network Business at SK Telecom. “Going forward, SK Telecom will develop and offer a wide variety of IoT services designed to offer new value for customers, while working closely with partners including SMEs and startups to vitalize the IoT ecosystem.”