IoT devices connected to Digita’s LoRa network have numerous opportunities in making daily business run conveniently, cost-effectively and securely. The new innovations vary from smart rat-traps and traffic signs to locating devices.
Last fall Finland’s national terrestrial television and radio network operator Digita expanded its competence to meet the needs of internet of things. LoRa technology enables its users to monitor and control different kinds of devices simply and cost-effectively via sensors size of a pack of cigarettes. The LoRa terminals are both low in price and power consumption. They have an excellent range which makes the technology compatible with various types of wireless data gathering and monitoring solutions. Digita´s comprehensive IoT services are based on Digita’s nation-wide infrastructure and network.
According to Ari Kuukka, Director of IoT Services at Digita, it brings great amounts of added value, if customer can do certain operations only when necessary and release time from calendar based duties to other business processes.
“For example, in some countries rats are a big problem in food industry companies and employees must circle the factories to find out if rats have gotten trapped. Another example is from Sweden, where the law requires that traffic signs are checked in regular bases in case they have toppled down. With LoRa technology the sensor sends the wanted information and company can release workforce to make the needed operations only when necessary. With the help of this kind of IoT solutions companies can replace their calendar based business model where something is done at regular intervals to a need based business model,” Kuukka explains.
Geolocating service
Another illustrative example of LoRa technology is locating devices for example in big building sites, where tools or heavy equipment might remain in the terrain after construction work is finished.
“Traditional GPS trackers are expensive to use compared to LoRa sensors that run with a battery that lasts for years. Cost of the technology is coming down fast, making even disposable LoRa devices possible. The LoRa network geolocation precision is about hundred meters, but often even when the equipment only costs few hundred euros it’s useful to know approximately where to look for it. Before, it wasn’t cost-effective to track medium-prized assets. The LoRa technology can for example ease the logistic hassle of locating equipment between various subcontractors,” Kuukka says.
LoRa evades also the risk of denial of service attacks that insecure IoT devices are provoking.
“Security-wise radio technology is safe, because it’s not connected to internet. It’s not even possible to do denial of service attacks using LoRa terminals,” Kuukka reminds.
Digita´s core competence is in building comprehensive networks and making connections work. Digita has been transmitting radio and TV programs reliably to all Finland for decades. Depending on the needs of their customers, Digita provides also business applications and cloud services together with their comprehensive partner network.
“LoRa is an open technology and anyone can set up a similar network, meaning companies are not locking themselves to one provider only. IoT connectivity is only one of our services. We build connections for new businesses and help them to make operations, that weren’t previously smart to do, feasible.”
Text: Pauliina Toivanen
