LPN LoRaWAN® – the Swiss IoT network
LoRaWAN® in the Swiss LPN radio network for your IoT applications
The Swisscom Low Power Network (LPN) allows you to connect your IoT devices and sensors reliably to your systems.
Based on the LoRaWAN® standard, the LPN is ideal for transmitting small volumes of data. What’s more, device communication via the LPN is extremely energy-efficient and also possible in remote locations with satellite support.
When is it the right solution?
If your IoT application requires battery-saving communication over a Low Power Network that offers good building penetration, especially in places with poor reception. The communications network needs to be available in indoor and outdoor areas throughout Switzerland with the ability to be strengthened locally.
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Current LoRaWAN® coverage in Switzerland
The terrestrial coverage of Swisscom’s LPN currently amounts to 97 percent of the Swiss population or 70% of Switzerland’s land surface. With the satellite option, this coverage can be increased to 100%. The information on this map is based on network coverage simulations, which means it may deviate slightly from actual coverage.
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LPN in use
The Swisscom Low Power Network is the reliable connectivity platform for countless IoT applications. Here are some examples of how companies and local authorities can act more sustainably and profitably thanks to IoT solutions.
Smart Metering
Remote meter reading
A water supply cooperative uses water meters. To collect consumption data, employees have to read the meters in person. With LPN, meter devices send consumption data to the billing centre on a daily or even an hourly basis. The automated generation of current data opens up new opportunities and business models to utility companies.
Monitoring
Monitoring local environment and air quality
A local authority makes extensive use of LoRaWAN sensors to monitor the local environmental conditions in order to plan its road salt spreading schedules. This energy-saving solution allows devices to operate over a large area for a long time with minimal maintenance. The local authority also uses several sensors to measure air quality in the municipal region. Based on this efficiently collected data, the authority identifies areas in which improvement measures are required.
Tracking
Tracking locations and temperatures
A concert equipment provider has hired out valuable equipment. LoRaWAN sensors allow it to cost-effectively determine where the equipment is at all times. It also doesn’t have to worry about replacing the batteries in the sensors. A pharmaceutical sales company wants to ensure that the required refrigeration temperature is maintained throughout the entire logistics chain. To do so, it deploys a large number of cost-effective LoRaWAN temperature sensors across Switzerland.
Agriculture
Protecting the harvest
A farmer wants to protect his harvest from adverse environmental conditions. He therefore uses sensors to monitor fertiliser, moisture levels and temperature. When critical levels are reached, he receives automatically generated reports and can respond promptly, by irrigating a dry field, for instance.
Smart buildings
Monitoring air quality
A bank uses LoRaWAN sensors to monitor the air quality in the offices at its headquarters. The readings feed into the ventilation management system, which can then guarantee consistently high air quality throughout the building.
Smart office
Calculating workplace occupancy
Data from LoRaWAN sensors provides an insurance company with meaningful data relating to actual workplace occupancy and available meeting rooms. The company can use this to optimise the organisation’s site strategy and behaviour and take an important step towards the Smart Office.
Critical infrastructure
Guaranteeing connectivity with satellites
Bridges, dams, communication systems and energy supply infrastructure are considered critical infrastructures throughout Switzerland and large parts of Europe. These buildings and installations are often located in remote locations outside the reception range of terrestrial networks. In such cases, satellite communication is used for monitoring purposes. In an emergency, the competent authorities and operators will receive all the information they need to take immediate action.
Why Swisscom?
What our customers say
LPN FAQs
What are the benefits of LPN LoRaWAN®?
LPN LoRaWAN provides a cost-effective and highly energy-efficient way to transfer small amounts of data. The Swisscom LPN is Switzerland’s largest and best LoRaWAN network. The national coverage it provides enables you to carry out LoRaWAN-based geolocation without energy-intensive GPS modules. By using LPN, you can focus fully on your application, without having to think about network management. If you want to extend or consolidate your network locally, our LPN gateways offer a simple, cost-efficient solution. All you need is a mains supply.
How long can battery-operated IoT devices run for in the LoRaWAN®?
Battery life depends on a number of factors: How good is the local network coverage? How often is data transmitted? What volume of data is sent? How energy efficient is the device and what built-in sensors does it have? How does the energy consumption of a GPS module, for example, compare to that of IoT communication? Depending on the device and applications, batteries may last up to ten years or more.
Is LoRaWAN® secure? Is the data encrypted?
LoRaWAN can be considered highly secure because it supports the concept of end-to-end encryption. For this, is uses AES-128 (advanced encryption standard). An individual symmetric key (AppKey) is required for connection to the network.
Can LPN LoRaWAN® be used in other countries too? (LPN-Roaming)
Yes. If it is configured correctly and has the right connectivity plan, you can also use IoT devices in other countries. In addition to our existing offering, which includes the Swisscom LPN in France, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom and Ireland, we also offer pan-European satellite communications. These permit a reliable connection even in remote rural areas that may not be covered by traditional networks. Do you have specific requirements or questions? Please get in touch with us. We will be happy to help you.
Does Swisscom also offer integrated IoT solutions?
Yes. In addition to connectivity, Swisscom also offers fully integrated IoT solutions that are designed around your requirements. We also collaborate with various partners from our IoT ecosystem, who we can call upon if necessary, such as hardware manufacturers.
What is the difference between LoRa and LoRaWAN®?
LoRa is a wireless transmission technology that uses modulation according to the CSS principle. LoRa communicates in the unlicensed but regulated ISM frequency range (868 MHz in Europe). The technology was invented and is owned by the semiconductor supplier Semtech.
LoRaWAN is an open communications protocol standard that uses LoRa technology and includes the network layer. LoRaWAN is managed globally by the LoRa Alliance, whose members include Swisscom.