Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) Licensing Landscape for LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) emerges as a leading wireless communication protocol in IoT landscape. Drawing its unique characteristics from the LoRa technology, enabling it to provide secure, reliable, and low-cost communication over long distances.

The network’s ability to connect battery operated devices over ranges of up to 15 kilometers makes it ideal for various use cases such as smart cities, agriculture, and industrial monitoring. Further, LoRaWAN addresses the critical needs of modern IoT ecosystems, including bi-directional communication, end-to-end security, and localization services.

As the adoption of the LoRaWAN protocol grows, so does the importance of understanding the licensing landscape surrounding Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) related to LoRaWAN. In this post, we will navigate the SEP for LoRaWAN and explore possible reasons for the absence of SEPs for the LoRaWAN protocol.

Absence of SEPs for LoRaWAN Protocol

There are no declared Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) for Recommendation Y.4480 in the ITU-T database, and it is not listed in the drop-down menu for Y.4480. This absence does not imply that there are no SEPs but rather that none have been formally declared to the ITU.

If you are curious about the absence of SEPs for LoRaWAN protocol, here are a few possible reasons:

  • LoRaWAN was developed as an open standard from the beginning as highlighted by the LoRa Alliance. This openness may lead to a collaborative environment where multiple entities contribute to the standard without necessarily seeking patent protections that would classify their contributions as SEPs.
  • The emphasis on interoperability and scalability in the adoption of LoRaWAN suggests that the community may prioritize shared access to technology over exclusive rights that patents typically confer. This approach aligns with the goals of many IoT applications, where widespread deployment and compatibility are crucial.
  • The LoRa Alliance has aligned its intellectual property rights (IPR) guidelines with those of the ITU, indicating a commitment to open-source and royalty-free usage of LoRaWAN. This alignment may discourage the declaration of patents as SEPs.

LoRa Alliance® Sponsor Members

The LoRa Alliance ecosystem is rapidly expanding, with nearly 500 members, out of which there are 18 sponsor members, including:

  1. ACTILITY SA
  2. AMAZON Web Services, Inc. (AWS)
  3. Birdz
  4. BROWAN COMMUNICATIONS INCORP.
  5. Echostar Mobile Ltd
  6. Helium Foundation
  7. KERLINK
  8. MachineQ
  9. Multi-Tech Systems Inc
  10. Netmore
  11. Netze BW GmbH
  12. Semtech
  13. STMicroelectronics International NV
  14. TEKTELIC Communications Inc.
  15. UNIDATA SPA
  16. Verizon
  17. Vorboss
  18. ZENNER

Recent Developments in LoRaWAN

ZENNER presents a new LoRaWAN gateway

Zenner International GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) has launched the Zenner IoT Gateway outdoor 16 an advanced LoRaWAN gateway designed for efficient and reliable long-range data transmission. Ideal for urban and industrial applications across Europe, this gateway offers 16 channels and leverages state-of-the-art LoRaWAN technology to support a wide range of IoT applications, from smart cities to Industry 4.0. It is compatible with all major LoRaWAN network servers, providing energy-saving, long-distance connectivity. The new LoRaWAN gateway is noted for its easy integration, robust design, and compatibility with existing networks, enhancing Zenner’s IoT portfolio.

 

Alliot Technologies (UK) and Daizy (UK) partnered to simplifies the deployment, operation, and management of IoT systems.

Alliot Technologies has partnered with Daizy to enhance its IoT management offerings by becoming an official distributor of Daizy’s comprehensive IoT toolset. This collaboration simplifies the deployment, operation, and management of IoT systems at scale, offering compatibility with a wide range of technologies, including LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, LTE-M, Modbus, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Daizy’s platform streamlines IoT project design and operational management, making it easier for organizations to adopt IoT solutions. Both companies aim to increase IoT accessibility, with Daizy’s platform supporting various applications, including compliance-focused solutions for Legionella monitoring and fire safety. (Dec 2024)

 

Digi International launches groundbreaking secure and scalable solution for LoRaWAN®

Digi International (Germany) announced the launch of its Digi XBee IoT Solution for LoRaWAN at the LoRaWAN Live! event. This solution aims to simplify deployment and scaling for IoT applications, providing an end-to-end connectivity solution that integrates various components needed for IoT systems. The announcement highlights Digi’s commitment to enhancing IoT connectivity through reliable and scalable solutions.

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