PODCAST · technology
The Business of LoRaWAN
by MeteoScientific
All about the business of LoRaWAN. How it works, who uses it, why, how they save or make money with it. Conversations with IoT pros willing to share their knowledge and help your business.
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The Economics of IIoT - Britt Antley - Wika
Britt Antley, Industrial IoT specialist at WIKA and former Chevron operator, talks about what actually drives adoption of IIoT in the real world—and why the shift from control systems to monitoring is one of the most important changes happening in industrial environments today.With nearly two decades at Chevron, Britt brings a grounded perspective on how large-scale operations think about technology. He explains how his work evolved from traditional IT and process control into industrial IoT, and why LoRaWAN-style deployments fundamentally change the equation. Instead of months-long installs and expensive hardwired sensors, companies can now deploy low-cost devices in minutes, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for instrumentation.The conversation explores how IIoT creates value beyond simple cost savings, especially in brownfield environments where the goal is to “put eyes” on systems that were previously manual. From monitoring tank levels to reducing unnecessary operator rounds, Britt breaks down how better visibility leads to improved efficiency, safety, and decision-making.Britt also shares how he approaches new customer environments—starting with understanding operations, identifying manual processes, and uncovering high-impact opportunities for instrumentation. The discussion highlights a key insight: many systems don’t need high-frequency control, just reliable, periodic data.The episode closes with a deep dive into WIKA’s Sentinel sensor, including how combining vibration and ultrasound enables earlier detection of equipment failures and extends predictive maintenance timelines from weeks to months.Britt on LinkedInWIKA
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Beyond Silicon: Perovskite Power for the Next Generation of LoRaWAN - Josh Douglas
This episode looks at how perovskite photovoltaics can reshape the power budget behind an IoT data platform for smart cities. Josh Douglas explains why conventional silicon solar cells struggle with indoor light, off-angle mounting, and rigid glass, and how thin perovskite nanomaterials unlock more flexible, energy-dense LoRaWAN node designs. We connect better energy harvesting to iot data integration platform tools, higher message frequency, and richer sensing that supports edge AI and “physical AI” workloads. You’ll also hear practical details on electrical compatibility, iot data ingestion best practices, and how perovskite modules can often drop in for small silicon panels. The conversation closes with commercialization realities, distribution through familiar channels, and what this means for long-lived devices feeding smart city data platforms. Listen to learn how improved power translates into more capable LoRaWAN deployments and smarter urban infrastructure.Josh on LinkedInCPTIHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Leading Without Wireless Bias – Ulf Seijmer on LoRaWAN, Cellular & IoT Strategy
Ulf Seijmer explains that leading a successful wireless IoT company requires staying close to market needs, rapidly adjusting strategy, and avoiding attachment to any single technology.He describes how his expectations for LPWAN market splits were wrong, noting that PropTech has become dominated by LoRaWAN rather than cellular due to sensor cost economics and the advantages of owning the network.Seijmer contrasts his roles at AKKR8, which focuses on cellular LPWAN devices, and Induo, which must remain technology-agnostic and select from LoRaWAN, cellular, satellite, and BLE based on each use case.He emphasizes the importance of telling customers “no” when a chosen technology will not scale, and of using proofs of concept to uncover unexpected value, illustrated by a water-tap monitoring project that revealed facility issues like broken lights rather than just usage data.Overall, he argues that long-term success comes from solution focus, honest guidance on trade-offs, and designing systems that can evolve beyond narrow, siloed applications.Ulf on LinkedInInduoAKKR8Helium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Battery-Free IoT and Energy Harvesting for an IoT Data Platform - Jérôme Vernet - Dracula Technologies
This episode examines how energy harvesting reshapes the iot data platform for smart cities by removing batteries from the equation. Jérôme Vernet from Dracula Technologies explains how ultra-thin, printed organic photovoltaic films optimized for indoor light can power low-power sensors that feed modern iot data integration platform tools. We discuss iot data ingestion best practices when devices must operate for years without maintenance, and how LoRaWAN and other low-power protocols support scalable, battery-free deployments. The conversation also touches on what is privacy and trust in iot data platform design when billions of events come from always-on labels and tags. If you’re planning the best database to store iot data or comparing iot data analytics vs network analytics for large fleets, this episode offers practical context from the hardware layer up. Listen to understand how energy harvesting changes both device architecture and long-term IoT operating models.Jerome on LinkedInDracula TechnologiesHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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LoRaWAN In Space - Jon Pearce & Lacuna Space
The episode explores how Lacuna Space uses LoRaWAN over low‑Earth‑orbit satellites to solve the traditional coverage limitations of terrestrial LoRaWAN networks. Jon Pearce explains that Lacuna targets low-power, low-bandwidth IoT use cases where devices send small, infrequent data packets directly from sensor to satellite, trading bandwidth for battery life and global reach.Jon describes the company’s developer kit and antenna approach, along with typical data profiles such as water metering and environmental monitoring that can tolerate a few uplinks per day.Pearce also outlines how Lacuna scales its constellation based on capacity and specific customer requirements, including sovereign or national deployments, and how it partners with other satellite operators to embed Lacuna technology on their spacecraft.Throughout, he contrasts Lacuna’s model with legacy high-bandwidth satellite services and emphasizes the economics of expanding constellations for large, well-defined IoT rollouts like nationwide smart metering.Jon Pearce on LinkedInLacuna SpaceHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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From Ham Radio to 1,000+ Motes: Scaling LoRaWAN the Hard Way - Dana Myers - Meter.me
Dana Myers, CTO of Lamarr, talks about taking LoRaWAN from curiosity to critical infrastructure. A longtime systems engineer and ham radio operator, Dana explains how his early experimentation with LoRa in the 900 MHz band evolved into deploying hundreds of production devices monitoring water tanks and wells across rural terrain.He walks through the pivotal moment when Lamarr abandoned an expensive, Raspberry Pi-based “Combox” approach and shifted to low-power LoRaWAN end nodes, cutting costs by an order of magnitude and making the business viable. The conversation dives into what really changes as you move from one prototype to 100 and then to more than 1,000 deployed motes in revenue operation, including hardware revisions, battery budgeting, vendor selection, and the decision to stop building everything in-house.Dana also breaks down common misconceptions about LoRaWAN, particularly the tendency to treat it like a real-time broadband network. He explains why LoRaWAN requires a mindset shift toward small, infrequent data transmissions, report-on-change logic, and simplicity at the edge. Firmware over-the-air updates, ADR expectations, and backend-driven innovation are all examined through the lens of practical deployment.The episode closes with Dana’s direct advice to young engineers entering the LoRaWAN space: understand your customers, avoid sunk cost traps, fail fast when necessary, and design for simplicity from day one.Dana on LinkedInMeter.meHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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When UX Meets LoRaWAN - Ofer Tenenbaum at Meter.me
Ofer Tenenbaum, CEO of meter.me, talks about bringing LoRaWAN into one of the toughest real-world environments: rural water infrastructure. Instead of focusing on radio specs or backend architecture alone, Ofer approaches IoT as a UX problem. His mission is to “friendlify” complex systems so plumbers, pump installers, and ranch operators can deploy and manage LoRaWAN without needing to understand SNR, payloads, or networking jargon.The conversation begins with the scale of water loss in rural environments, where silent leaks can multiply annual usage by hundreds of percent. Ofer explains why visibility, not just connectivity, is the first step toward solving these losses. From there, he outlines how meter.me combines monitoring and control, effectively operating in SCADA territory where reliability is non-negotiable. Water for cattle, irrigation, and fire suppression demands backend redundancy, disciplined change management, and a deep respect for LoRaWAN’s constraints.A major focus of the discussion is how AI fits into industrial IoT. Rather than using AI as a marketing layer, meter.me deploys it for anomaly detection and conversational setup, allowing installers to configure automation through natural language instead of complex forms and thresholds. Ofer also shares how constant user observation, field visits, SaaS interaction analytics, and structured feedback loops shape product evolution.This episode offers practical insight for LoRaWAN business leaders, engineers, and system integrators: real differentiation often comes not from the radio, but from how seamlessly the technology fits into the workflow of the people using it.Ofer on LinkedInMeter.meHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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IoT Has a Marketing Problem. Here’s What to Fix. - Afzal Mangal
Afzal Mangal, former founder of IoT Creators at Deutsche Telekom and founder of Hello Things, talks about why most IoT companies are solving the wrong problem. After years building and scaling IoT platforms inside a global telecom, Afzal argues that the biggest constraint in IoT isn’t technology — it’s momentum.In this conversation, he explains why marketing is consistently undervalued in IoT, why the industry must “sell the problem before the solution,” and how companies across the value chain — from device makers to network operators — share responsibility for developing the market. Using practical examples, including temperature monitoring in pharma and everyday connected devices that users don’t even recognize as IoT, Afzal makes the case that adoption fails when the category itself isn’t clearly understood.He also discusses Hello Things, his new initiative focused on collective market development. Rather than leaving ecosystem growth to chance, Afzal proposes coordinated storytelling and consistent messaging to move IoT beyond its internal bubble and into mainstream decision-making. For LoRaWAN professionals, this is particularly relevant: he highlights how authentic community-driven engagement has given LoRaWAN an edge over traditional cellular IoT approaches.The episode also explores how small engineering-heavy teams can use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity as practical co-pilots for research, strategy, and messaging without sacrificing technical integrity. For founders, engineers, and ecosystem builders alike, Afzal’s perspective reframes IoT growth as a business discipline, not just a technical one.Guest LinksAfzal on LinkedInAfzal on the webHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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What Powers You? Klas Engström & Batteries for LoRaWAN - Nichicon
Klas Engström, Sales Director at Nichicon, talks about how power architecture decisions quietly determine whether IoT deployments succeed or fail at scale. Drawing on more than a decade at Nichicon, Klas explains why batteries are often treated as an afterthought in device design, and why that mindset breaks down once LoRaWAN devices move from prototypes to real-world, long-life deployments.The conversation centers on lithium titanate oxide (LTO) batteries and where they fit between supercapacitors and conventional lithium-ion. Klas outlines three practical use cases where LTO excels: energy-harvesting systems that need continuous recharge with high pulse currents, hybrid designs that extend the lifetime of primary batteries by offloading power spikes, and applications where fast charge times enable entirely new duty cycles. Rather than positioning LTO as a universal replacement, he is clear about tradeoffs in capacity and cost, and why understanding current capability and lifetime behavior matters more than headline milliamp-hours.Klas also discusses Nichicon’s work on self-charging batteries using indoor photovoltaic cells, demonstrating how LoRaWAN devices can remain energy-autonomous even at high spreading factors under typical indoor lighting. The episode explores cold-temperature performance, safety characteristics compared to other lithium chemistries, and why LTO can be charged and discharged safely at temperatures where most batteries fail.Throughout the discussion, Klas emphasizes total cost of ownership, arguing that service visits and battery replacements often dwarf component costs in real deployments. For business leaders, engineers, and advanced builders alike, this episode reframes power as a strategic design decision rather than a line item on the bill of materials.Links:Klas on LinkedInNichiconHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Custom Database For LoRaWAN - Derek Tuando and LoRaDB
Derek Tuando, IoT specialist and creator of LoRaDB, talks about why traditional databases often fall short when applied to real-world LoRaWAN deployments, and what changes when data systems are designed with devices—not tables or tags—as the primary organizing principle.Derek explains what an IoT database actually is, drawing clear distinctions between general-purpose databases, time-series tools, and systems purpose-built for LoRaWAN workloads. He outlines the practical challenges that emerge as projects grow beyond early pilots, including query complexity, usability issues, and the friction teams face when stitching together multiple tools just to visualize and understand device data.The conversation dives into the core idea behind LoRaDB’s device-first data model, where all data is organized around a device’s identity rather than abstract measurements. Derek walks through how this approach simplifies querying, speeds up exploration, and makes LoRaWAN data more intuitive to work with—especially for small teams, hobbyists, and lean organizations managing thousands to tens of thousands of devices.Derek also discusses where LoRaDB fits today, including its strengths in ease of setup, open-source accessibility, and built-in visualization, as well as its current limitations around high availability and large-scale enterprise deployments. He shares how the project is being used in production, why it’s designed to complement existing LoRaWAN stacks like ChirpStack, and how future improvements are focused on lowering the barrier for new users rather than chasing complexity.This episode offers a grounded look at the data layer of LoRaWAN systems, with practical insights for builders, operators, and businesses deciding how to store, query, and actually use the data their devices generate.LinksDerek on LinkedInLoRaDB on GithubHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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A Peek Into the Future of LoRaWAN - Remí Demerlé - Semtech
Rémi Demerlé, senior leader at Semtech and a long-time contributor to the LoRaWAN ecosystem, talks about where LoRaWAN is heading next as the technology moves beyond its first decade of large-scale deployments.Rather than revisiting familiar smart metering ground, Rémi offers a forward-looking view into emerging network models and new classes of applications. He explains how real-world deployment challenges have led to the development of mobile and drive-by LoRaWAN gateways, including trucks equipped to collect data in areas where fixed infrastructure isn’t possible. That same thinking is now evolving toward fly-by collection, opening the door to drones and other mobile platforms as part of future LoRaWAN architectures.Rémi also discusses upcoming work within the LoRa Alliance around network discovery, a specification designed to support these mobile collection scenarios and extend coverage in hard-to-reach environments. He explores how alternative radio modes like FLRC expand bandwidth on existing LoRa hardware, enabling new use cases that sit outside traditional low-data sensor models.Looking ahead, the conversation touches on how LoRaWAN data feeds into AI-driven analytics, particularly for anomaly detection and operational optimization, and how this combination shifts value creation from connectivity alone to actionable insight. Rémi closes by highlighting LoRaWAN’s growing role in renewable energy, including monitoring and control of solar infrastructure at massive scale, where radio performance in dense metal environments and low operational cost become decisive advantages.Links:Remí on LinkedInSemtechHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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The Journey to Pro - LoRaWAN in Argentina & Globally - Rodrigo Hernandez - IoT Consulting
Rodrigo Hernandez, IoT consultant, educator, and author of Practical IoT Handbook, talks about building LoRaWAN systems that survive outside the lab and deliver real business value. Drawing on his early work with The Things Network and years of hands-on deployments, Rodrigo shares how his journey started with experimental LoRa links and single-channel gateways and evolved into consulting on full-scale IoT systems across multiple industries and countries.The conversation explores why LoRaWAN is such a strong fit for large, sparsely connected regions like Argentina, and how that same logic applies globally to agriculture, oil and gas, utilities, and building management. Rodrigo explains why LoRaWAN should be treated as a strategic infrastructure layer rather than just a radio protocol, emphasizing long battery life, unattended operation, and the ability to cover remote or difficult environments with minimal operational overhead.He also digs into the realities of deployment, including why site knowledge still matters, how interference and placement can make or break a project, and what separates successful IoT rollouts from those that struggle. Using real consulting examples, Rodrigo highlights common failure points such as poor sensor choice, lack of on-site expertise, and underestimating the complexity of data handling once devices are live.The episode closes with a deep look at IoT data visualization and analytics, where Rodrigo explains why clean, well-structured data is essential for meaningful dashboards, how heterogeneous payloads create hidden costs, and why getting data normalization right early is critical for long-term scalability and business insight.Practical IoT Handbook - Amazon Affiliate LinkRodrigo Hernandez on LinkedInHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Killer Combos & Finding the Fit - Johan Stokking - TTI
Johan Stokking, co-founder of The Things Network and The Things Industries and CTO of The Things Stack, joins the show to talk about why LoRaWAN works best when it’s combined intelligently with other wireless technologies rather than treated as a standalone answer to every problem.The conversation starts with why The Things Conference deliberately expanded beyond LoRaWAN, and what Johan is seeing as LoRaWAN matures. He explains why developers now understand both what LoRaWAN is good at and where its limits are, and why the real momentum comes from combining LoRaWAN with cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other radios to solve practical deployment problems.Johan walks through his “niche of a niche of a niche” fridge monitoring example, using cold chain as a way to explain where LoRaWAN fits exceptionally well and why these highly specific use cases can still represent multi-billion-dollar markets.The discussion digs into real bottlenecks like battery life, basement connectivity, lack of Wi-Fi credentials, and compliance requirements that make LoRaWAN the right tool in the right context.The episode also explores what’s coming next at the silicon and modem level, including multi-radio devices and why cloud platforms will need to manage multiple connectivity options seamlessly.Johan shares how network metadata and design data can be used to optimize deployments, improve battery life, and drive real ROI, and where data itself may become more valuable over time.The conversation wraps with what Johan is most excited about next, including the next Things Conference and upcoming improvements in the LoRaWAN ecosystem focused on better interoperability and plug-and-play deployments.Johan's LinkedIn The Things IndustriesHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Meshtastic vs. LoRaWAN: Choosing the Right Tool at Scale - Matthew Patrick
Dr. Matthew Patrick, physicist, data scientist, and Helium ecosystem contributor, talks about why Meshtastic and LoRaWAN are often misunderstood as competing technologies—and why that framing misses the point. Drawing from his work in space physics, high-altitude ballooning, and large-scale LoRaWAN deployments, Matthew explains how similar radio hardware can support very different network architectures and business outcomes.The conversation starts with a clear, practical comparison between Meshtastic and LoRaWAN, focusing on what each system was designed to do. Meshtastic’s mesh-based approach excels at small, infrastructure-free group communication, while LoRaWAN’s gateway model is built for industrial-scale deployments involving hundreds or thousands of low-power devices. Matthew breaks down the tradeoffs around battery life, network capacity, reliability, and operational complexity, grounding the discussion in real deployment scenarios rather than theory.From there, the discussion moves into where these technologies can overlap in productive ways. Matthew outlines how Meshtastic can act as an intermediary layer in hard-to-reach environments, relaying sensor data to LoRaWAN gateways when traditional coverage isn’t available. He also explores longer-term opportunities, including LoRa-based satellite and stratospheric platforms, and how distributed ground networks could support future space-adjacent IoT use cases.Throughout the episode, Matthew brings a clear systems-level perspective, emphasizing that successful IoT deployments depend on matching the right technology to the problem being solved. The result is a grounded, experience-driven look at how LoRa-based technologies fit into real-world business, research, and infrastructure decisions.LinksDr Patrick on LinkedInDr. Patrick's GithubHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Designing in Parallel: Hardware, RF, and business - Gavin Brown
Gavin Brown, VP of Strategic Growth and Design Partner at RAKwireless, talks about how solid industrial design and RF engineering turn LoRaWAN from a promising idea into reliable, large-scale deployments. With a background in industrial design and product development, he explains how RAK’s core pillars—gateways, modules, and supporting services—give customers a path of least resistance into LoRaWAN, whether they’re building networks, nodes, or full end-to-end solutions.Gavin digs into what typical RAK customers really look like: teams who know their own domain well but need help bridging the gap into wireless and LoRaWAN. He describes industrial design as a hybrid of art, design, and engineering, and shows why the best projects are “front heavy,” putting RF constraints, cost, supply chain, and mechanical realities into the strategy before anyone obsessively sketches enclosures or PCB shapes. That early thinking is especially critical for LoRaWAN, where antenna placement and housing can make the difference between pain and success.He shares real-world examples, from a 25–50,000-node deployment that struggled with range because RF was an afterthought, to a utility project that achieved a 63 km link by respecting physics and integrating the antenna properly into a metal manhole cover. Gavin also highlights some of his favorite RAK designs, including the compact WisGate Soho Pro gateway with fully integrated antennas, and explains how off-grid solar gateway solutions and gateway mesh backhaul are opening up LoRaWAN in remote regions like the valleys of Wales. Throughout the conversation, he returns to a core theme: LoRaWAN works brilliantly when hardware, RF, and business goals are designed together, not bolted on at the end.Gavin on LinkedInRAK WirelessHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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From Prototype to Planet-Scale - Violet Su - Seeed Studio
Violet Su, Business Development Manager at Seeed Studio, talks about how Seeed turns emerging technologies into practical LoRaWAN-ready solutions for industries, communities, and creators. She explains how the company bridges sensors, connectivity, and edge AI into a full stack that lowers friction for real-world deployments.Violet describes Seeed’s role as a hardware provider across the full chain: environmental, vision, and audio sensors; LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity; and edge devices for control and AI-driven analytics. She emphasizes Seeed’s mission to make cutting-edge technology accessible for prototyping and production.She walks through Seeed’s unique customization pipeline, which supports everything from a single prototype unit to large-scale manufacturing. This includes PCB services, assembly, certification, white labeling, and access to Seeed’s sales channels, enabling startups and solution providers to scale without building a supply chain from scratch.Community-driven development is central to Seeed’s strategy. Violet shares examples such as the LoRaWAN Data Logger, which emerged after repeated requests from users needing Wi-Fi-to-LoRaWAN conversion. She highlights how Seeed listens to feedback at events like The Things Conference, Helium meetups, and Maker Faire to inform new product iterations.Violet explains Seeed’s commitment to open source, including releasing tracker hardware that allows developers to modify firmware and adapt devices for unique needs. She discusses the balance between being a commercial company and fostering a thriving ecosystem where people can extend, hack, and repurpose hardware.Through the Tech for Good program, Seeed supports environmental monitoring, disaster response, marine conservation, and education. Violet outlines how Seeed sponsors hardware, collaborates with universities, and co-develops niche solutions that may not be commercially viable but deliver meaningful societal value.She highlights inspiring community stories, including Seeed Rangers like Robert Boggs, whose grassroots LoRaWAN projects in a small village gained global attention and demonstrated how open hardware and documentation accelerate innovation.Looking ahead, Violet is excited about AI+LoRaWAN capabilities: edge cameras that send only inference results, Semtech’s new chip enabling LoRaWAN image transmission, and the emerging potential of satellite LoRaWAN. She underscores that the protocol’s evolution continues to unlock new applications across conservation, smart cities, and remote sensing.Guest Links:Violet on LinkedInSeeedHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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AI-Native Toolchains with Thomas Froment - Eclipse Foundation
Thomas Froment, Program Manager for Development Tools at the Eclipse Foundation, talks about how AI-native, vendor-neutral tooling is transforming the way IoT and LoRaWAN developers build, test, and ship products. In this episode, he explains what Eclipse Theia is, why it matters, and how open-source toolchains give companies more control, privacy, and long-term resilience than proprietary AI editors. Drawing from his experience leading Theia, Open VSX, and other Eclipse development-tool initiatives, Thomas breaks down the rapidly evolving AI workflow landscape and why embedded engineers should pay attention.What Eclipse Theia actually is: a framework for building fully customizable, AI-native development environments designed for embedded and IoT toolchainsHow Theia differs from VS Code and Cursor, including privacy, extensibility, transparency, and the ability to integrate hardware, local workflows, and cloud systems in a single toolchainWhy open-source governance and vendor independence matter for companies developing IoT devices, especially in regulated or security-sensitive environmentsThe explosive growth of Open VSX and the shift toward extension ecosystems not controlled by a single vendorThe role of Model Context Protocol, AI agents, and domain-specific prompting as organizations integrate AI deeply into engineering and testing workflowsHow teams use Theia to build hybrid local-plus-cloud development environments that support hardware-in-the-loop testing, device constraints, and long-tail IoT edge casesEmerging use cases for lightweight and local AI models inside IoT products, and why customization of prompts and agent behavior becomes essentialCollaboration tooling within the Theia ecosystem, enabling real-time co-editing, code reviews, and multi-developer workflows for embedded teamsWhy IoT and LoRaWAN companies need to think in terms of entire toolchains rather than just IDEs, and how open-source components allow a tailored pipeline from development through testing and deploymentGuest Links:LinkedInEclipse Foundation
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36
Build For Your School - Jan-Ole Giebel
Jan-Ole Giebel, founder of J-O. Technik, talks about his rapid journey from early IoT tinkering to building practical LoRaWAN systems for schools and organizations. Beginning with ESP32 sensor experiments in middle school, he quickly ran into the limitations of school Wi-Fi and discovered LoRa—first as simple peer-to-peer radio, then as a full LoRaWAN stack. He shares how supportive teachers and family helped him pursue hardware and programming deeply at a young age, eventually leading him to build CO2-monitoring devices during the pandemic and lead older students in real deployments.-How early experiments with ESP32s, simple sensors, and Dragino kits introduced him to LoRa and later LoRaWAN’s structured architecture-The technical challenges he faced with overlapping packets, one-channel gateways, and why LoRaWAN became essential for scaling beyond a few nodes-The skills he had to develop to make IoT work in the real world, including Linux administration, Python development, virtualization, databases, and managing network servers like ChirpStack-Why conferences, YouTube, and self-guided learning played a critical role in understanding radio systems, backend servers, and security-What he sees beginners struggle with most in LoRaWAN and where complexity still creates friction-His current focus on making IoT practical for everyday users through an application server that hides complexity like payload decoders, device onboarding, EUIs, and downlinks-How he is integrating LoRaWAN with real-world workflows such as school timetables, automated heating, smart thermostats, and energy reporting-The type of clients who benefit most from his work, especially schools and organizations aiming to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint without compromising comfort or operational quality-His perspective on AI tools in development, why he treats them carefully, and where they help versus hinder reliability and securityJan-Ole on LinkedInJ-O Technik
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35
Go Figure It Out - Dr. Simon Bunjamin
Dr. Simon Bunjamin, Project Manager for LoRaWAN and Smart City initiatives at NEW (Niederrhein Energie und Wasser GmbH) AG, talks about how a traditional public utility in western Germany transformed itself into a digital innovator by embracing LoRaWAN. He explains how the journey began with a single project and evolved into one of the most advanced regional LoRaWAN networks serving hundreds of thousands of customers.Shares how he moved from a background in political science into the world of IoT and smart utilitiesDescribes starting at NEW as a one-person team tasked with exploring LoRaWAN use cases across electricity, gas, and water divisionsExplains how early skepticism turned into enthusiasm once colleagues experienced LoRaWAN’s simplicity and reliability firsthandDetails the creation of an internal “experience center” to demonstrate live sensors and educate staff across departmentsTells the story of solving a seemingly minor problem—rain leaking through office windows—that sparked a wave of new IoT projectsBreaks down how LoRaWAN reshaped utility operations by replacing costly, limited systems with flexible, data-rich solutionsDiscusses the unexpected benefits of real-time metering data, from billing accuracy to optimizing heat and energy performanceShares the now-famous “beaver project,” where LoRaWAN sensors replaced manual water level checks and paid for themselves in daysHighlights lessons on building internal buy-in, navigating data governance, and balancing regulation with innovationReflects on how curiosity, communication, and small wins can drive large-scale transformation within public infrastructure organizationsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-simon-bunjamin-b84a7419/Company Website: https://www.new-energie.de/gk/service-fuer-stadtwerke/lorawan
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34
The Next Generation - Tom Krüger - German & English Version
A special edition in both German and English, hosted by my friend and former guest, Robert Bogs. Tom Krüger, founder and CEO of TJK Solutions, talks about transforming a small German lakeside community into one of Europe’s most forward-thinking LoRaWAN regions. At just 20 years old, Tom has turned his early curiosity about wireless weather sensors into a growing company delivering LoRaWAN networks for environmental monitoring, smart villages, and disaster resilience. In this episode, he shares how local collaboration, open-source innovation, and cost-effective engineering can bring LoRa-powered infrastructure to life—even in small municipalities.How a classroom science project using LoRa temperature and pH sensors inspired the founding of TJK Solutions in Brandenburg, GermanyThe path from DIY weather stations to commercial LoRaWAN deployments for water authorities and tourism operatorsHow LoRaWAN networks are being used to monitor water levels, beach conditions, and environmental data across the regionBuilding an off-grid Meshtastic emergency network to maintain communication during blackouts, connecting nine disaster-response sites with solar-powered LoRa routersCollaboration between local government, the fire brigade, and private partners to deploy resilient, low-cost IoT infrastructureThe business case for municipalities: reducing costs, improving transparency, and creating a foundation for smart city growthWhy combining LoRaWAN for telemetry and LoRa mesh for citizen communication creates a powerful hybrid model for local resilienceInsights into the Smart Village project, integrating LoRaWAN into lighting control, school air monitoring, and park managementTom’s view on LoRaWAN’s future across Europe and how small innovators can drive adoption through user-focused problem solving and partnershipsLinks:Tom's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-jonas-krueger/TJK Website: https://tjk-solutions.de/Robert's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbogs/Helium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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33
Filling The Gaps - Paul Schwartz - Senarch
Paul Martin Schwartz, co-founder and CEO of SenArch, talks about how solar-powered LoRaWAN gateways are filling the connectivity gaps that traditional infrastructure can’t reach. SenArch’s gateways are built to run reliably in extreme environments, with energy-optimized electronics and rugged AGM batteries that can operate for up to a month without sunlight. In this episode, Paul explains the engineering trade-offs behind battery and solar panel sizing, why AGM batteries outperform lithium in freezing temperatures, and how off-grid connectivity enables new IoT use cases worldwide.Choosing between 150-watt solar panels with 100 amp-hour batteries versus smaller 50-watt/22 amp-hour setups, depending on deployment location and climateWhy AGM batteries are critical in cold regions where lithium batteries lose charging ability and risk permanent damageThe role of Iridium low-power satellites as a backhaul option compared to Starlink, and how connectivity costs shape IoT deploymentsHidden costs in LoRaWAN, particularly the challenges of radio planning and the need for additional gateways to achieve reliable coverageThe importance of focusing on customer needs instead of competition, and why mission-critical networks demand over-specified, always-on infrastructureWater metering as one of the strongest business cases for LoRaWAN, with lower installation costs, faster rollouts, and significant efficiency gains for utilitiesPaul highlights how SenArch’s gateways are being used from Europe to North America to close coverage gaps, support water monitoring, and enable smart city, climate resilience, and agricultural projects. His experience in telecom and IoT gives him a unique perspective on building sustainable networks that deliver real-world impact.Links:Paul Martin SchwartzSenarchHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Build For The Customers Of Our Customers - Fabio Rosa - TagoIO
Fabio Rosa, CEO and founder of TagoIO, talks about what it takes to build an IoT platform that scales globally while staying grounded in customer needs. With over 1,000 supported devices and a GitHub-driven ecosystem for integrating LoRaWAN sensors, TagoIO has become a cornerstone in the IoT space. Fabio shares how his team prioritizes support for every user—whether it’s a student running a free account or a company deploying tens of thousands of devices. He explains why TagoIO is designed not just for developers, but for the customers of their customers—making it easier to deliver value all the way down the chain. The conversation dives into the hidden costs of using AI in IoT, especially when querying massive datasets, and the steps TagoIO is taking to balance innovation with operational sustainability. Fabio also reflects on key lessons from running the company: build fewer features, listen harder, and focus relentlessly on solving the right problems. He discusses how AI can be used not just to improve the developer experience, but to help end users extract actionable insights from their data—if it’s implemented thoughtfully. Throughout the episode, Fabio emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and customer success obsession as guiding principles for long-term impact in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.Fabio on LinkedInTagoIO Website
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Saving At Scale - Brandon Dalida
Brandon Dalida, Regional Sales Director at MultiTech, talks about how large-scale LoRaWAN deployments succeed when they're designed around cost-efficiency, business alignment, and network structure. With over two decades in telecom and IoT, Brandon brings a deeply practical perspective on what makes LoRaWAN work for enterprise—especially when budgets, security, and data costs are on the line.Breaks down how LoRaWAN networks can be tailored to support different business models, comparing Capex-driven private networks with Opex-heavy cloud-based topologiesExplains the value of edge intelligence and why Fortune 500 companies are increasingly turning to on-site LoRaWAN deployments for privacy, scalability, and WAN data cost savingsIntroduces MultiTech’s Conduit gateways and their BACnet/IP integration, enabling seamless LoRaWAN-to-building automation system communication for smart buildingsDiscusses the retrofitting opportunity: how LoRaWAN can be used in older buildings like museums and courthouses where wired infrastructure is not feasibleTalks through the challenges of fragmented networks in multi-site deployments and how MultiTech is building tools for onboarding and orchestration to unify device management at scaleShares the vision for future integration between LoRaWAN and Bluetooth Low Energy, especially for mobile onboarding, firmware updates, and device configurationHighlights how different wireless technologies—LoRaWAN, LTE, BLE, NFC—can work together depending on the use case, cost, and scale requirementsLinks:Brandon on LinkedInMulti-Tech website
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The LoRaWAN Tsunami with Olivier Hersent
Olivier Hersent, founder and CEO of Actility, talks about the accelerating convergence of LoRaWAN and BACnet in building automation, and what that means for retrofits, logistics, and the future of wireless sensing. With BACnet still dominating 70% of the building automation market—even on brand new PLCs—Olivier explains why making LoRaWAN invisible to integrators is critical, and how Actility is bridging these two worlds one sensor at a time.He also shares insights into the work Actility is doing with custom sensing and logistics tracking, including real-world deployments in automotive assembly lines, massive vehicle yards, and remote conservation areas. From RS485-era wired sensors to modern closed-loop logistics, Olivier points to a shift toward simplicity and targeted data collection, where most application layers are 99% noise and only one bit matters.Why BACnet remains the king of building automation—and what makes integrating LoRa so difficultHow Actility is streamlining LoRaWAN-to-BACnet translation by mapping and testing each individual sensorThe growing role of AI in simplifying sensor driver creation and semantic standardsA new market segment in geolocation: closed-loop logistics and the return of valuable assetsWhy Africa is poised to be the next major IoT growth market, with utilities growing 50% year-over-yearThe cost advantages of LoRaWAN for emerging economies and remote infrastructureWhy older, simpler wired protocols like RS485 are easier to port to LoRaWANHow LoRaWAN could reduce power grid strain by syncing appliances with real-time energy signalsOlivier’s advice for new founders: help wired sensing companies go wirelessOlivier Hersent on LinkedInActility
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Chirpstack News - From Beginners to Mesh - Orne Brocaar
Orne Brocaar, founder and lead developer of ChirpStack, talks about building one of the most widely used open-source LoRaWAN network servers in the world. With over two million downloads across major versions, ChirpStack has become a foundational tool for developers, businesses, and governments deploying LoRaWAN infrastructure.In this episode, Orne explains how ChirpStack grew from a side project in 2015 to a globally adopted platform, with early support from CableLabs and SIDN. He outlines the biggest technical challenges users face, especially around configuring gateways, Linux environments, and network firewalls—core steps that can make or break a LoRaWAN deployment.The conversation dives into the practical business model behind open-source software in IoT, where ChirpStack generates sustainable revenue through consultancy, contracted development, and community sponsorships. Orne shares how this structure allows him to support enterprise users while continuing to improve the platform for everyone.A highlight of the discussion is ChirpStack’s new gateway mesh feature, developed in collaboration with RAK Wireless and Smart Parks. These solar-powered relay gateways operate without direct internet connections and enable coverage in remote or rugged environments. Orne describes how the new mesh framework supports remote configuration and monitoring over LoRaWAN’s proprietary message types—providing valuable tools for managing decentralized infrastructure.Other topics include advice for first-time users, the role of ChirpStack in the broader LoRaWAN ecosystem, and what’s next for the project.Common setup pain points and how to solve themMaking open-source business models work in IoTThe role of CableLabs and SIDN in scaling ChirpStackLoRaWAN deployment in rural and off-grid areasGateway mesh architecture for extended coverageUsing LoRaWAN to send commands to gatewaysWhy ChirpStack continues to grow in adoptionGuest links:Orne Brocaar on LinkedInChirpstackHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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What Hasn't Been Done - Bob Blanchard - Klika Tech
Bob Blanchard, Senior Manager of Business Development at Klika Tech, talks about how creative vision and technical execution come together in successful LoRaWAN deployments. With a background that blends artistic insight and engineering precision, Bob shares how seeing what doesn’t yet exist is a critical skill in both invention and solution design.In this episode, Bob explains Klika Tech’s role as more than just a system integrator—they are an enhanced solution provider, capable of co-creating with clients from concept through deployment. Backed by a premiere partnership with AWS and a deep bench of senior-level engineers, Klika Tech is known for delivering complex IoT and LoRaWAN projects in real-world environments like resorts, multifamily housing, and healthcare.We explore use cases that haven’t been fully realized—like golf course management with LoRaWAN—and how Bob helps clients uncover untapped opportunities. He also breaks down why higher-frequency wireless technologies often create more headaches than LoRaWAN, and how this “it just works” quality makes LoRaWAN a strong fit for sprawling properties and low-bandwidth, long-range sensor applications.Bob discusses the importance of partnerships and a developed ecosystem in LoRaWAN success, including how Klika Tech’s partner network drives sales and expands reach. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at project development, emphasizing Klika’s ability to work closely with customers to iterate, adapt, and build lasting value into every solution.Topics covered:Why LoRaWAN avoids interference issues common in Wi-Fi-heavy environmentsThe value of co-creation with experienced engineering teamsLoRaWAN use cases that haven’t been deployed—yetChallenges of other wireless protocols and what LoRaWAN does differentlyBuilding a referral network through trusted partnersLinks:Bob BlanchardKlika TechHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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Build To The Standard - Eric Lenington - ObjectSpectrum
Eric Lenington, founder and CEO of ObjectSpectrum, talks about the power of solving customer problems with LoRaWAN, and why the real strength of the technology lies not in theoretical performance, but in its thriving ecosystem. From commercial buildings to agricultural deployments and even vacation rental monitoring, Eric breaks down how his team delivers reliable, scalable IoT solutions using off-the-shelf devices and the flexibility of LoRaWAN standards.He explains how ObjectSpectrum integrates with networks like Helium and Senet, and why, despite new protocols like Mioty entering the scene, LoRaWAN remains the dominant force because of its mature ecosystem and device availability. “Technology X might be better than LoRaWAN,” Eric says, “but I don’t care—there’s no ecosystem.”Eric also shares the origin story behind Prism, the software platform ObjectSpectrum built when nothing else met their standards for high-availability, scalable IoT application infrastructure. Designed to be infrastructure-agnostic and support a variety of protocols beyond LoRaWAN, Prism reflects a telecom-grade mindset applied to IoT—delivering the uptime, flexibility, and performance that complex deployments require.Looking forward, Eric highlights NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) as the next major frontier in IoT connectivity. He discusses how satellite LoRaWAN providers like Lacuna are beginning to open up new possibilities, offering standards-based options in space that rival terrestrial deployments in reach and resilience.If you're evaluating how to deploy scalable IoT solutions, this episode offers clarity on where LoRaWAN wins, how to assess new entrants like Mioty, and what to watch as NTN infrastructure accelerates.Eric on LinkedInObject SpectrumHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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26
Practical & Economical: LoRaWAN with Henry Huang
Henry Huang, CEO of Browan Communications, talks about Browan’s cost-effective, hybrid IoT strategies and real-world applications in Indoor positioning, Asset tracking, and IoT in Hospitals.Leverages existing Wi-Fi APs and LoRaWAN gateways to deliver Indoor positioning and Asset tracking while keeping customer costs downDemonstrates practical IoT in Hospitals with LoRaWAN-enabled mobile nursing station trackers integrated into hospital Wi-Fi environmentsUses heat maps generated from Wi-Fi signals combined with LoRaWAN backhaul to enable zone-level Indoor positioning in semiconductor plants and airportsOutlines precision tiers (±20 cm to ±50 m) to balance accuracy requirements with investment, ensuring solutions remain economicalShows how adding gateways improves coverage and feeds dynamic heat maps, allowing scalable expansion of Indoor positioning networksEmphasizes hybrid technology—combining LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, UWB, Bluetooth, and Zigbee—to address diverse enterprise use cases and maximize ROIHenry on LinkedInBrowanHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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25
Network Analysis for LoRaWAN - Dimitris Mamalis at Kudzu
Dimitris Mamalis, co-founder and CEO of Kudzu Technologies, talks about redefining how we understand and manage LoRaWAN networks. With roots in embedded systems and early experience using LoRa before the LoRaWAN protocol even existed, Dimitris brings a sharp, systems-level perspective to the challenges of deploying reliable long-range networks.In this episode, he explains why most people deploying LoRaWAN aren’t just installing applications—they’re operating networks, whether they know it or not. Kudzu’s platform helps these accidental network operators understand what’s happening in the field, providing not just dashboards but actionable reports and monthly engineering-grade analysis to help fix what’s broken.We dive into how Kudzu handles LoRaWAN network analysis, from initial simulation and digital modeling to in-field validation and optimization. Dimitris discusses how AI is used not to replace expert insight but to arm clients with better context, making problem-solving faster and more efficient. He also shares how the Helium boom was a proving ground for Kudzu’s capabilities, revealing common issues and accelerating the company’s growth.Finally, Dimitris outlines how Kudzu continues to support Helium—not as a primary network, but as a roaming option. By helping customers identify coverage gaps and intelligently extend networks using Helium without additional gateways, Kudzu is building smarter, more resilient LoRaWAN deployments.Dimitris on LinkedInKudzu - LoRaWAN AnalyticsHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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24
The Swiss Way - Liliane Paradise with Miromico
Liliane Paradise, COO of Miromico, talks about building industrial-grade LoRaWAN devices with Swiss precision, pioneering battery-free sensor systems, and the business case for hybrid battery configurations in critical environments. She shares how Miromico approaches product development from concept to mass production, prioritizing modularity, testability, and long-term sustainability.Explains why gateways are the most critical—and often overlooked—component in a LoRaWAN networBreaks down the design philosophy behind Miromico’s modular gateway platform that supports LoRaWAN, BLE, Wi-Fi, and MiotyHighlights the business drivers for deploying energy harvesting sensors in schools, hospitals, and office buildingsDetails how Miromico launched the Mirror Inside Lux sensor, a fully battery-free device powered by indoor light with a 60-day supercapacitor backupDiscusses the limitations of energy harvesting in critical use cases and why hybrid battery systems are the practical path forwardWalks through Miromico’s product development lifecycle, from fast POC builds to customer-validated MVPs and scalable manufacturingShares how design for testability and manufacturability saves cost during production—every screw, every second mattersExplores the role of interoperability and standardization in reducing IoT deployment costsExplains how the European Cyber Resilience Act will impact IoT device security and reshape manufacturing timelinesOffers insights into the complementary roles of LoRaWAN and Mioty in building future LPWAN solutionsLinks:Liliane on LinkedInMiromico websiteHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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23
Meshtastic - The Beginning of a Vertical
Jonathan Bennett, core developer and co-founder of Meshtastic Solutions, and Tony Good, hardware designer and entrepreneur, talk about the evolution of Meshtastic from a grassroots mesh network to a tool with real commercial potential.Meshtastic began as a communication system for hikers and adventurers operating beyond cell coverage. Today, it’s proving useful in disaster response, search and rescue, vehicle tracking, and other use cases where reliable, off-grid communication is essential. Jonathan explains how the core team, alongside a global group of contributors, is hardening the platform with better encryption, Linux support, and integration tools to make it easier for businesses to adopt.Tony shares how he built a business around designing rugged, user-friendly Meshtastic cases and complete devices, helping users deploy the tech without needing to source and print their own enclosures. He highlights how demand for ready-made devices has grown as more public service organizations and small businesses explore using Meshtastic.Together, they talk about:Meshtastic’s value in off-grid communication for emergency response and field operationsReal-world examples including blackout recovery in Portugal and large-scale search and rescueHow sensors are starting to be integrated to expand Meshtastic’s capabilities beyond messagingOpportunities to bridge small mesh networks with the internet using MQTTThe role of Meshtastic Solutions in providing consulting and vendor partnerships to support adoption in business contextsMeshtastic is at the start of a vertical shift from hobbyist project to deployable infrastructure—and this episode shows where it’s going next.Links:Company site: https://meshtastic.com/Helium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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22
The Value Add Business - Rokland with Jason Opdyke
Jason Opdyke, CEO of Rokland Technologies, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of LoRaWAN and the impact of emerging technologies like Meshtastic. Opdyke highlights how Meshtastic, an off-grid, decentralized, point-to-point mesh network technology, is revolutionizing communication by integrating seamlessly with LoRaWAN networks.Key discussion points include:How Meshtastic enables secure and reliable communication without traditional cellular or Wi-Fi networks, attracting interest from both hobbyists and commercial businesses.The increasing role of Meshtastic Solutions, a dedicated team helping businesses implement effective and integrated communication solutions.Real-world business applications, such as an emergency response unit integrating Meshtastic with existing LoRaWAN infrastructure to enhance operational readiness and safety.Opdyke also explores broader LoRaWAN business opportunities:The significant impact of WisBlock technology from RAK Wireless, standardizing and simplifying integration across various operating systems for use cases in agriculture and environmental monitoring.Innovative elder care applications, including comprehensive monitoring of patient falls, body temperature, and movement patterns, showcasing how LoRaWAN technology provides actionable data for resource optimization.Practical insights into how businesses leverage LoRaWAN data analytics to improve resource allocation and enhance operational efficiency, demonstrating tangible benefits across multiple industries.Opdyke’s perspective emphasizes practical business solutions and actionable insights, clearly illustrating the real-world value and transformative potential of LoRaWAN and Meshtastic technologies.Connect with Jason Opdyke:LinkedIn - Jason OpdykeRokland website
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21
Filling The Connectivity Gaps - Satellite LoRaWAN with Telemaco Melia
Telemaco Melia, Vice President and General Manager of EchoStar Mobile, talks about building a satellite-powered LoRaWAN network that fills in the last-mile connectivity gaps for IoT deployments across Europe and the U.S.In this episode, Telemaco explains how satellite LoRaWAN is being used to extend coverage to remote locations where deploying gateways isn’t feasible. From cattle tracking in South America to critical infrastructure monitoring in Europe, satellite IoT is fast becoming a necessary layer in achieving 100% device reach.We explore how EchoStar Mobile’s dual-mode approach leverages both terrestrial and satellite networks to deliver reliable, 24/7 LoRaWAN connectivity. Telemaco also shares why using licensed spectrum in the S-band allows them to guarantee packet delivery and network availability—critical for commercial deployments.Other highlights include:Why most customers already use LoRaWAN and need satellite to close connectivity gapsHow a smaller segment simply needs a solution, regardless of the underlying protocolThe technical advantage of LoRa’s LR-FHSS modulation for resilience and interference resistanceWhat makes switching between terrestrial and satellite networks seamless from the developer’s perspectiveWhy energy harvesting is a major consideration in satellite IoT deploymentsWhat’s coming next: multi-network chipsets that switch between terrestrial and satellite depending on availability and applicationLinks:Telemaco on LinkedInEchoStar Mobile
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20
LoRaWAN in Japan - Kevin Cantrell & CropWatch
Kevin Cantrell, CEO and founder of CropWatch, discusses how LoRaWAN technology is transforming IoT applications in rural Japan. Kevin shares insights into how CropWatch is addressing specific business needs in agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety.Kevin details the critical benefits of LoRaWAN for cold chain monitoring, emphasizing how it effectively solves connectivity issues in industrial refrigeration, where traditional methods like WiFi and Bluetooth struggle. He highlights practical business advantages, such as increased reliability and operational efficiency in challenging environments.He also explores IoT disaster monitoring, describing innovative applications such as LoRaWAN-equipped sensors for lightning rod damage detection, improving maintenance efficiency and safety in areas vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons.Kevin addresses unique local challenges with animal tracking solutions, explaining how CropWatch employs LoRaWAN-enabled devices with computer vision capabilities to detect and mitigate threats from wild boars and bears, protecting crops and residents.Key discussion points include:Practical solutions for cold chain monitoring using robust LoRaWAN sensors.Applications of IoT disaster monitoring to enhance safety and resilience.Effective animal tracking methods using LoRaWAN and computer vision.The business strategy behind offering ruggedized hardware combined with comprehensive data services.Challenges and opportunities of implementing IoT solutions in rural and mountainous regions.Learn how CropWatch is leveraging LoRaWAN’s long-range, low-power capabilities to provide innovative solutions that are both scalable and economically viable for rural communities.Links:Kevin Cantrell LinkedInCropWatch websiteHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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19
Pinpoint Pain Points - Julien Bertolini
Julien Bertolini, Principal IoT Solution Architect at Volvo Group, shares his expertise on effectively implementing LoRaWAN technology for improved industrial logistics and operational efficiency. Julien emphasizes the importance of directly engaging with workers to identify real-world challenges, a practice that guided him to develop successful solutions like battery level tracking for autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). This simple yet impactful IoT project significantly reduced factory downtime and became an easy-to-adopt model across multiple global manufacturing sites.Julien discusses key considerations when building an IoT network, highlighting the critical role of LoRaWAN cybersecurity. Recognizing the complexity and risks involved, he explains when it’s strategic to collaborate with specialized solution providers instead of relying solely on internal teams. His thoughtful approach ensures robust, secure IoT deployments at scale.Key topics include:Practical strategies for identifying operational problems through direct worker engagementSuccessfully scaling battery level tracking solutions using LoRaWANBuilding an IoT network beyond technical teams, fostering wider organizational adoptionStrategic decisions on deploying private vs public LoRaWAN networks for enhanced reliability and global coverageInnovations in asset tracking and industrial logistics driving Volvo towards Industry 4.0Julien concludes by highlighting asset tracking as the next major opportunity for companies to streamline internal and external logistics, transforming traditional manufacturing processes into agile, data-driven operations.Connect with Julien:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbertolini/Helium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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18
Water Meter Monitoring & End To End Solutions - Michail Angelov
Michail Angelov, founder of IoTNet.eu and former Nokia IoT leader, talks about transforming water utilities through LoRaWAN-based remote water meter monitoring systems.With over 20 years in telecom and IoT, Michail shares how he co-founded Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid before pivoting into one of the most pressing infrastructure challenges of our time: water loss. His company, IoTNet.eu, now oversees over 40,000 connected water meters across Bulgaria, gathering millions of data points each month to drive efficient water distribution.He explains how low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs), and LoRaWAN in particular, disrupted the sector by enabling real-time, battery-efficient communication in locations without constant power—like underground water meters. By turning what used to be expensive, inflexible infrastructure into a scalable, data-driven system, Michail’s work is redefining the economics and capabilities of water meter monitoring.Why water utilities lose up to 70% of water between source and tap—and how IoT helps measure and recover those lossesHow LoRaWAN became the foundation for a scalable remote water meter monitoring systemLessons from building a nationwide IoT network and pivoting from connectivity to full-stack solutionsThe role of Helium in reducing infrastructure costs and expanding coverageUsing AI and structured data to predict pipe failures, detect theft (“non-technical losses”), and optimize performanceHow local integrators anywhere in the world can partner to deploy IoTNet’s proven water meter monitoring systemThis episode is packed with real-world insight into solving high-stakes utility problems with scalable IoT systems.Links:Michail Angelov - LinkedInHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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17
Business 101 In The World of LoRaWAN - Andy Humphrey
Andy Humphrey, founder of Harmony Analytica and host of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, talks about how LoRaWAN is transforming the irrigation industry with a data-first approach that’s as practical as it is powerful. With over 500 sensors already in the field, Andy shares how he’s built an IoT irrigation business around the principle of creating clarity—starting with simple deployments and expanding once value is proven.He breaks down the emerging business model of Sensor as a Service and how a well-placed soil moisture or pressure sensor can uncover hidden problems, provide an ROI, and unlock powerful insights for decision-makers. His example of using a water meter monitoring system to diagnose a faulty pool fill setup shows just how impactful water meter monitoring can be when paired with the right tech stack.Andy walks through his real-world strategy of “land and expand,” highlighting how starting with one smart irrigation controller or sensor often leads to broader deployments once trust is built. He also explains the value of knowing your customer deeply enough to build exactly what they need—even if they don’t know what that is yet.We also dive into Andy’s framework of “IoT for CFOs,” exploring how data from water meter monitoring systems can finally give finance teams visibility into an often-overlooked line item. From diagnosing leaks to optimizing usage, the power of IoT irrigation isn’t theoretical—it’s actionable.Finally, Andy shows how thinking vertically and designing for real-world use can turn a $5 soil moisture board into a $200 solution by solving the exact problem a customer faces—especially in high-value landscapes.Links:Andy Humphrey on LinkedInHarmony AnalyticaHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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16
Building The World's Best LoRaWAN Field Test Device - Slaven - GLAMOS
Slaven Damjanović, CEO and founder of GLAMOS, talks about building the world’s most advanced LoRaWAN testing tool—starting from his own need for better field deployment visibility.OverviewWhen deploying LoRaWAN devices in the field, understanding where your network truly reaches—and how different antennas or spreading factors impact connectivity—is critical. Slaven Damjanović created GLAMOS Walker as a virtual IoT sensor to do exactly that. What began as a personal tool to map coverage in Croatian vineyards quickly became a must-have in the Helium community, known for its intuitive design and pro-level insight.Key Topics CoveredThe origins of GLAMOS: solving the real-world problem of testing LoRaWAN deploymentsHow GLAMOS Walker acts like a virtual IoT sensor, simulating device behavior in the fieldUse during the Helium boom: rapid demand from thousands of users trying to optimize their gatewaysUnderstanding LoRaWAN data: RSSI, spreading factor, and antenna gain as key variables in deploymentIndoor coverage mapping: visualizing LoRaWAN signal strength room-by-room using 3D floorplansSpreading factor tradeoffs: SF10 vs SF7 and the impact on battery life—up to 20x differenceTesting LoRaWAN devices before deployment: reducing risk by validating connectivity conditionsPressure during Helium’s rise: why field testing tools became critical for hotspot optimizationBusiness InsightsFrom agriculture to utilities, Slaven explains how GLAMOS enables smarter, faster deployments of LoRaWAN devices. With built-in data visualization tools and a simple UI, the Walker is both beginner-friendly and essential for pros. The episode offers a masterclass in deployment optimization for anyone serious about making LoRaWAN data work in the real world.LinksSlaven on LinkedInGLAMOS WebsiteHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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15
Getting More Data Out Of The Machines - Miroslav Macko
Miroslav Macko, CEO and founder of Heliotics, explores the practical business applications of LoRaWAN technology, emphasizing simplicity and effectiveness in industrial environments. Miroslav’s background in lean manufacturing informs Heliotics' mission to streamline complex processes through accessible IoT solutions, providing tangible improvements in efficiency and cost savings.Getting More Data Out Of The MachinesMiroslav highlights the power of LoRaWAN for industrial monitoring systems. He discusses Heliotics’ successful deployments, from industrial energy monitoring systems that significantly reduce electricity costs, to industrial machine monitoring systems that minimize waste and downtime.Lean Simplicity Drives Industrial IoT SuccessDrawing from lean manufacturing principles, Miroslav advocates keeping IoT platforms straightforward, focusing purely on actionable data. He explains how Heliotics designs intuitive, plug-and-play solutions—“like a HomeKit for industrial companies”—allowing businesses without IoT experience to effortlessly adopt advanced monitoring capabilities.Real-World Business ApplicationsMiroslav shares specific examples:Industrial temperature monitoring systems deployed without costly wiring.Dust particle sensors combined with door sensors to reduce product defects and scrap rates.Direct messaging systems providing real-time alerts and action steps for factory managers.One standout project, the Vodník Fountain in Trenčín, illustrates how logic from industrial monitoring can apply broadly—achieving a 75% reduction in water use and optimized energy consumption through simple weather-responsive controls.Leveraging Community NetworksInitially inspired by the Helium Network, Miroslav discusses its reliability as either a primary or backup solution. He emphasizes that community networks like Helium, supplemented by additional gateways for redundancy, are viable even in rigorous industrial environments.Connect with Miroslav MackoMiroslav Macko - LinkedIn Heliotics WebsiteHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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14
LoRa, Drones, and Offline Tracking - Tomi Piriyev
In this episode of The Business of LoRaWAN, I sit down with Tomi Piriyev, founder of NoliLab and creator of Loko — a peer-to-peer GPS tracking device that works without a SIM card, subscription, or cellular signal. Originally developed to solve problems in drone tracking, Loko evolved into a robust, low-power LoRa-based GPS tracker designed for real-world use in forests, farms, skydiving, and even search and rescue operations.Tomi walks us through the evolution from his drone company to the creation of Loko. The device consists of two parts — a tiny GPS-enabled "Air unit" that transmits over LoRa, and a handheld ground receiver that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The whole system works offline, powered by OpenStreetMap, and is compact enough to mount on a drone, collar, or vehicle.We also talk about:Why Tomi built Loko to avoid subscriptions entirelyHow LoRa’s long range and low power consumption make it ideal for offline trackingReal-world use cases: scientists locating forest sensors, skydivers retrieving gear, and Nevada SAR teams tracking dronesThe option to switch between LoRa peer-to-peer mode and LoRaWAN gateway modeThe path forward for NoliLab, including waterproofing and scaling productionWhether you're searching for car GPS tracking devices or looking to deploy your own LoRa-based private tracking network, this episode offers a refreshing look at what it means to build durable, dependable, offline IoT hardware.Linkshttps://nolilab.com/Helium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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13
How To Accelerate LoRaWAN - Alper Yegin
Alper Yegin, CEO of the LoRa Alliance, joins the show to share strategic insights into the future of LoRaWAN as a utility-grade connectivity layer for IoT. With over 100 million LoRaWAN devices already deployed and 50% annual growth rates, Alper highlights how businesses can leverage certification, collaboration, and plug-and-play architecture to thrive in this evolving LPWAN landscape. This episode is essential listening for anyone building in IoT infrastructure or deploying scalable IoT monitoring solutions.Key PointsAwareness and education—not competing technologies—are the biggest threats to LoRaWAN’s growth. Many failed deployments result from misunderstanding how to use the protocol properly.The LoRa Alliance’s certification process has been streamlined and made more affordable, helping device makers win RFPs and expand into global markets more efficiently.LoRaWAN’s roaming and integration across public, private, and satellite networks is paving the way for a globally unified, plug-and-play IoT connectivity experience.Businesses deploying LoRaWAN in smart buildings benefit from long-range, battery-efficient, low-cost, and license-free radio infrastructure—making it ideal for facilities like stadiums, retail chains, and office complexes.Strategic collaboration within the LoRa Alliance is accelerating product quality and ecosystem adoption, with members often working together—even as competitors—to grow the entire IoT pie.Businesses MentionedVerizon: Deployed LoRaWAN at State Farm Arena for facility management across the entire venue.AT&T: Launched a facility service called Connected Spaces, exclusively using LoRaWAN.MachineQ (Comcast subsidiary): Installed LoRaWAN sensors in over 10,000 Starbucks locations for cold chain monitoring.Rentokil: The world’s largest pest control firm is adopting LoRaWAN to monitor hard-to-reach building areas.Shell, Total Energies, Chevron: Using LoRaWAN in oil and gas facilities for temperature, valve, and vibration sensing.Veolia: Operating 5 million live LoRaWAN water meters across France.Yorkshire Water: Deploying 1.3 million LoRaWAN-connected water meters in the UK.Memorable Quotes“Reality on the ground is ahead of the perception. There are a lot more deployments than meets the eye.”“Plug and play is key. You should be able to buy a device, turn it on, and it just connects—anywhere in the world.”“If people use LoRaWAN incorrectly and think it doesn’t work, it sets them back years. Education is critical.”Find Our GuestAlper Yegin - LinkedInLoRa AllianceHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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12
Flexible LoRaWAN Deployments - Manoj Telrandhe
Manoj Telrandhe from TerraQ discusses how they're using LoRaWAN across the Middle East to help businesses as they expand. LoRaWAN offers unique benefits for restaurants or businesses that are growing; put up one gateway and you basically can't outgrow the coverage.Key PointsTerraQ's IoT solutions cater to diverse industries, including restaurants and smart cities, leveraging LoRaWAN for long-range, low-power communication.The company's cloud-based application enables clients to monitor their dashboard statistics remotely, promoting scalability and flexibility.LoRaWAN technology allows for customization, supporting various sensor deployments and use cases, from small restaurants to large smart cities.Businesses MentionedTerraQ: Provides IoT solutions using LoRaWAN technology for industries like restaurants and smart cities.Memorable Quotes* "I fell in love with LoRaWAN, it removes all barriers with no wired connections."* "Scalability is superb, you can use any kind of sensors and go to any level."* "It's the future, LoRaWAN technology integrates a lot of protocols and removes geographical barriers."LINKSLinkedIn - ManojTerraQHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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11
LoRaWAN in the Countryside: Building Smart Communities from the Ground Up - Robert Bogs
Today’s guest on MeteoScientific's The Business of LoRaWAN show is Robert Bogs, a media engineer turned IoT consultant who’s taken his passion for technology and transformed it into real-world impact—both commercially and in his own backyard.Robert's day job is with Alpha-Omega Technology, helping customers deploy LoRaWAN and other LPWAN solutions at scale. But what sets him apart is how he's applied that same expertise to his rural village in eastern Germany. Through his initiative Kayna-funkt, Robert has built a model LoRaWAN network from the ground up—funded by grants, powered by community involvement, and aimed squarely at solving problems that matter, like heating inefficiencies and environmental monitoring.What makes Robert so effective is his ability to bridge two worlds. He’s fluent in the language of engineers and makers, but he also speaks the local dialect of mayors, caretakers, and neighbors. That rare mix of technical depth and human connection lets him listen, guide, and implement solutions that stick—whether it's a gateway on a church tower or a CO₂ sensor on a kitchen table.He’s got lessons for cities, for startups, and for every nerd who’s ever wondered if they could make a difference.Let’s dig in.Kayna FunktAlpha Omega - IoT ShopHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.
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10
Public and Private Sectors with Scott Andrews
Scott Andrews, a dynamic figure bridging the public and private sectors in the UK’s LoRaWAN ecosystem, shares his unique insights into selling LoRaWAN solutions to both small private businesses and large public entities — from farmers monitoring vaccine fridges to councils implementing smart city projects. We dive into the challenges of change management, scaling deployments, and how small wins build toward big transformations.Key Topics Covered:Private vs. Public Sector Deployments:Scott highlights the differences between selling into the private sector (like small farms and butcher shops) versus public sector institutions (like councils and schools). A key theme is managing the aversion to change and public scrutiny in government projects.Scaling Small:Many private sector deployments are tiny — sometimes just 3–5 sensors monitoring vaccine fridges, milk storage, or walk-in freezers. But the impact is massive, saving time, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing defensible data.Public Sector at Scale:Scott shares how public health needs during COVID drove rapid, large-scale sensor rollouts—like deploying 200 CO₂ sensors across schools to measure fresh air intake.The Thin End of the Wedge:Success comes from small beginnings. Scott explains how a single gateway and a few sensors often lead to expanding sensor deployments once organizations see real-world benefits.Making Data Understandable:Many end users—whether farmers, butchers, or public servants—aren’t trained data analysts. Scott’s team at Sensibility uses AI tools like ChatGPT to create plain-English reports that make LoRaWAN data accessible and actionable.Smart City Success:Hear the story of how Scott helped the town of Abergavenny win an Innovation Award by deploying hidden soil moisture sensors in public planters to optimize watering—and how they overcame technical challenges like vandalism risk.Long-Term Vision:Scott discusses why patience, word of mouth, and helping customers solve real operational problems are critical in building a successful IoT business over time.Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-andrews-64754534/https://www.senseability.uk/https://abergavennytowncouncil.gov.uk/4442/uncategorised/abergavenny-excels-at-britain-in-bloom-awards-2023/Links - MetSci ShowHelium Global IoT Coverage - Want to know if Helium coverage exists where you need it? Check out this map!Helium Foundation - The Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group (IOTWG) has generously provided support for the first 6 months of shows, please go check them out and consider using the Helium LoRaWAN as a primary or backup on your next deployment. With over a quarter million gateways deployed worldwide, it's likely that you have and can use Helium coverage.Support The Show - If you'd like to support the MetSci Show financially, here's where you can donate on a one-time or an ongoing basis. Thank you!MetSci Show - If you'd like to use our IoT or AI Data Value calculators, or you'd like to contact me, the MetSci Show site is the best way to do it. MeteoScientific Console - Use LoRaWAN - The MeteoScientific Console allows you to use LoRaWAN today. As long as you have Helium coverage (and you probably do, about 90% of populated areas in the world have a gateway within 2 miles), you can onboard a sensor. You can always check coverage at https://explorer.helium.com and switch to the "IoT" tab in the top right.Support for this show generously provided by the Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group, please check out the Foundation here: https://www.helium.foundation/To see if there's Helium coverage in an area, visit:https://world.helium.com/en/iot/coverage
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9
Early Adopter: Paul Pinault
Paul Pinault is one of those rare people in IoT who not only understands the technology inside and out — from gateways to encryption keys — but also deeply gets the business of it. He started tinkering with low-power wireless before most people could even spell LPWAN, working with Sigfox back in 2014, and since then he’s helped shape the LoRaWAN landscape from multiple angles.He’s built hardware when no off-the-shelf options existed, rolled out full-stack IoT solutions, run his own startup, and now powers the console over at MeteoScientific. He’s also a voice of clarity in the space — cutting through hype and focusing on outcomes that actually save companies money and solve real-world problems.In this episode, we dig into the evolution of LPWAN, what mistakes businesses make when getting into IoT, and how Paul thinks about public, private, and shared infrastructure — especially in light of networks like Helium. Whether you’re deep in the weeds of deployment or just figuring out where LoRaWAN fits into your company’s roadmap, Paul’s got insights you won’t want to miss.Let’s dig in.Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpinault/https://www.disk91.com/https://metsci.showhttps://support.metsci.showhttps://console.meteoscientific.comSupport for this show generously provided by the Helium Foundation's IoT Working Group, please check out the Foundation here: https://www.helium.foundation/To see if there's Helium coverage in an area, visit:https://world.helium.com/en/iot/coverage
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8
Teaching The Way: Carl Rowan
Carl is an electronics engineer, educator, and prototyper based in Manila, Philippines. He’s been deep in the hardware game for over a decade, with a background that spans industrial sensor systems, embedded design, and, for the past several years, some of the most widely used LoRaWAN modules on the marketHe currently works at RAKwireless, where he helps lead product education and development as an IoT Product Specialist. If you’ve ever looked up how to use a RAK3172 or wanted to understand WisBlock’s modular ecosystem, chances are you’ve read one of Carl’s guides or seen his posts. He’s been a huge force in making LoRaWAN approachable — not just by helping build the tools, but by teaching the rest of us how to use them.In today’s episode, we dig into Carl’s journey from prototyping industrial sensors to helping ship over a million LoRaWAN modules, his philosophy on documentation and community feedback, and what’s next for the LoRaWAN hardware world — from ESP32 + LoRa hybrids to satellite-connected devices and even Meshtastic mesh networks.Carl’s one of the most thoughtful and enthusiastic builders in the space — let’s get into it.Links:Carl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlrowan/Company: https://www.rakwireless.com/MeteoScientifichttps://console.meteoscientific.comhttps://metsci.showhttps://support.metsci.show
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7
Catch It Before It Spreads: The Future of Wildfire Detection with LoRaWAN
Vasya Tremsin, the founder and CEO of Torch Sensors, joins us to discuss the groundbreaking use of LoRaWAN technology in wildfire detection. His company has developed solar-powered smart sensors that can identify heat, smoke, and gas, alerting us to fires within just three minutes of ignition. Vasya's journey began as a high school science fair project, sparked by witnessing the devastating impact of wildfires in his community. As we chat, he shares how Torch Sensors has rapidly evolved from a student project to a startup deploying sensors in high-risk areas across California, aiming to prevent wildfires before they escalate. This conversation is packed with insights on the intersection of technology and environmental safety, and how we can protect our communities from the ever-present threat of wildfires.Takeaways: Vasya Tremsin's journey from a high school science project to founding Torch Sensors showcases how innovative ideas can evolve into impactful companies. Torch Sensors utilizes LoRaWAN technology to detect wildfires early, often within three minutes of ignition, potentially saving lives and property. The sensors deployed by Torch are solar-powered, multi-modal devices capable of detecting heat, smoke, and gas over an area of 10 acres each. The devastating LA fires of 2025 spurred Torch into action, leading to rapid sensor deployment in critical areas to enhance wildfire detection capabilities. Torch Sensors aims to provide hyperlocal fire detection solutions, prioritizing high-value assets and communities in wildfire-prone regions. The business model of Torch includes both hardware costs and subscription services, emphasizing the value of early fire detection for customers. Links referenced in this episode:torchsensors.comconsole.meteoscientific.commetsci.showCompanies mentioned in this episode: Torch Sensors Helium Intel International Science Fair UC Berkeley IoT Working Group Helium Foundation Meteoscientific Support the show! https://support.metsci.show
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6
Primer: LoRa vs LoRaWAN & How To Use It
Let’s break down the essentials of LoRa and LoRaWAN, two key players in the IoT landscape, and how you can leverage them for your business. At the heart of our discussion is the distinction between LoRa, the radio signal, and LoRaWAN, the comprehensive system that governs data transmission and structure. Think of LoRa as the car and LoRaWAN as the entire road network – it’s all about how these components work together. We’ll also explore the four primary ways to utilize LoRaWAN: through public networks, community networks, private networks, and managed services. In general, there are 4 different ways you could use a LoRaWAN. They are Public, Community, Private, or Managed.PublicYou could subscribe to a public network operator or PNO, like Orange or Bouygues in France, Everynet in the U.S (and around the world), or AWS IoT Core or other PNOs. PNOs install gateways across the city and offer the IoT connectivity as a service, so they’ll charge you a subscription to use their LoRaWAN.CommunityYou could use a community network like TTN (the Things Network), where volunteers and organizations deploy gateways and share coverage for free. There is TTN coverage in most cities.If there is TTN coverage where you are, you could just use it.If you don't have coverage where you are, you would need to buy and install and set up a gateway, which would share your coverage with others. Another community option is Helium. Helium has coverage almost everywhere in the developed world, and is how I got into LoRaWAN. If there’s coverage where you are, you can use it for a very small fee. As an example, if you were to use the MeteoScientific LNS on Helium, you’d pay about $0.88/year to send a packet of data every hour.You can also buy and deploy a Helium gateway, called a Hotspot, to provide coverage, earning cryptocurrency in return.The difference between Helium & TTN is the cryptocurrency aspect, which drives the difference in gateways (and therefore, overall coverage.)TTN has 21k gateways worldwide. Helium has 296,000. Cryptocurrency incentives are powerful. PrivateThe third way to use a LoRaWAN is to stand up your own private network. You can buy your own gateways, buy a block of addresses from the LoRa Alliance and set up your own LNS where you’re the only one using it.ManagedFinally, you can just hire companies to do the whole thing for you.My recommendation? Choose if you’re doing this for business or pleasure, then do the thing that’s best for that. If you’re geeky, running your own isn’t that hard. If you want someone else to do the tech lifting, reach out to me, I’m happy to make recommendations.Links referenced in this episode:metsci.showconsole.meteoscientific.comCompanies mentioned in this episode: Orange Bouygues Everynet AWS TTN Helium MeteoScientific Support the show! https://support.metsci.show
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5
From Handfuls to Hundreds - Bansi Talks Scale
Bansi from Macnman joins us to unpack the intricacies of LoRaWAN and its significance for scaling solutions tailored for the Indian customer. We dive deep into how LoRaWAN can transform various industries by enabling the deployment of numerous low-power, battery-operated sensors that collect invaluable data. Bansi shares insightful use cases, particularly in smart agriculture and smart city applications, emphasizing the need for mass deployments to truly see a return on investment. He also highlights the critical balance between the technology's strengths and its limitations, especially regarding time-sensitive applications. Takeaways: Deploying hundreds of sensors is crucial for maximizing ROI with LoRaWAN technology. For IoT applications, understanding the strengths and limitations of LoRaWAN is essential. Automation in industries like agriculture can significantly benefit from LoRaWAN's long-range capabilities. LoRaWAN is not suitable for time-critical applications that require immediate response times. Effective use of LoRaWAN involves collecting meaningful data over a large network of devices. Links referenced in this episode:macnman.commetsci showconsole.meteoscientific.comCompanies mentioned in this episode: Macnman Technologies Quicklogic Helium Foundation Meteoscientific 💲Support the show - https://support.metsci.show
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4
Primer: Follow the Signal Path
In this episode, we're breaking down the LoRaWAN signal path, making it easy to understand how data travels from sensor to application. Figuring out how LoRaWAN works is the first step of unlocking the whole thing. Once you understand how the signal gets from the sensor to where you're going to use it, the pieces start to fall into place. Takeaways: LoRaWAN operates through a series of steps: sensor to gateway, gateway to LNS, and finally to the application where data is utilized. The sensor, also known as an end device or node, gathers measurements from the physical world, such as temperature or GPS data. Understanding the signal path in LoRaWAN is crucial for effectively leveraging its capabilities in business applications. The LNS acts as the brain of the LoRaWAN system, managing device authentication and filtering duplicate messages to ensure accurate data transmission. In traditional LoRaWAN, a gateway forwards sensor data to the LNS, which decodes it before sending it to an application for action. Helium's model adds an extra step with the Helium Packet Router, which facilitates cryptocurrency transactions behind the scenes, making it user-friendly. Links referenced in this episode:metsci showconsole.meteoscientific.comCompanies mentioned in this episode: Helium Foundation MeteoScientific IoT Working Group 💲Support the show: https://support.metsci.show
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
All about the business of LoRaWAN. How it works, who uses it, why, how they save or make money with it. Conversations with IoT pros willing to share their knowledge and help your business.
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