ARCHOS has just announced PicoWAN, a collaborative Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) compatible with LoRAWAN protocol.

ARCHOS Press release: PR_PicoWAN_20151006_EN.pdf

Here is their announce:

PicoWAN, a network operator, majority-owned subsidiary of ARCHOS, announces its launch of a collaborative network based on LoRA™ in the Internet of Things

London, October 6th 2015 – PicoWAN’s aim is to be the first LP-WAN (Low Power – Wide Area Network) RF network for connected objects, which will be collaborative, global, crossboarder and available at a very low price.

It will be launched in Europe from June 2016.

“PicoWAN is a project close to my heart. I have been deeply invested in studying its feasibility and have even filed 3 patents,” announces Henri CROHAS, President of ARCHOS. “The potential is huge.”

A revolution in the Internet of Things

The key to this innovation is a unique wireless communications network protocol based on the use of pico-gateways, as opposed to rooftop concentrators and antennas, which come in the form of smart plugs connected to the internet via WiFi or Ethernet. Embedding a LoRa™ IC, the range of picogateways is potentially as long as the sophisticated antenna gears installed on PicoWAN rooftops by telcos. As a result of its low-cost and its easy installation inside buildings, the network can be densified at will and made fail–safe, penetrate very deep indoor resulting in a much higher QoS (Quality of Service).

A collaborative network at a very low price

The cost of a pico-gateway is some 100 times less than the cost of a rooftop installation. Instead of investing tens of million euros in infrastructure, PicoWAN will create a highly competitive LP-WAN thanks to the viral diffusion of very low-cost pico-gateways.

To ensure the deployment of a global network throughout Europe, PicoWAN plans to distribute up to 200,000 free pico-gateways by the end of 2016.

PicoWAN will offer a subscription plan starting at £0.50 pence per year per connected object. Those who will deploy pico-gateway networks locally will receive up to 50% of the income resulting from the connections passing through their pico-gateways.

Optimal compatibility with connected objects

The software embedded in connected objects will be freely available to all developers and integrators developing on vertical or consumer markets, who can then set up their own IoT networks. This technology will facilitate the launch of multiple connected objects in all domains (health, agriculture, home automation, industry, and more), instantly supported by the PicoWAN network anywhere.

All LoRaWAN™ objects can be made compatible with ease.

Join us at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, 2016 for a demonstration of PicoWAN network...