Semtech opens-up and makes-free its LoRaWAN Academy
Semtech, the Californian chip-maker that owns and licenses the LoRa technology, is offering free educational modules via its LoRaWAN Academy for students, engineers, developers, and enterprises developing LoRa-based IoT solutions.
The LoRaWAN Academy launched in late 2017 and initially targeted universities. It is now available to everyone. It offers 10 modules of online classes, which include video lectures, reading materials, and hands-on assignments.
Steven Hegenderfer, a senior director in Semtech’s wireless sensing and products group, commented: “Providing completely free modules focused on building LoRa-based applications gives students, engineers, developers, and enterprises the jump-start they need to build robust, innovative IoT applications.”
Meanwhile, the LoRa Alliance is inviting developers to pitch ideas at its annual members meeting in Berlin in June, to gain support and enter the new $25-$60 million venture fund from Momenta Partners, which is focused on early-stage startups leveraging low power, wide area (LPWA) networks, notably LoRaWAN-tech.
Digital Colony buys UK small cell firm iWireless Solutions
UK investment firm Digital Colony has acquired small cell service provider iWireless Solutions, which serves customers and venues in the UK including the City of London, London Olympic Stadium, Twickenham Stadium, and other major outdoor UK venues. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
The addition of iWireless Solutions will bring outdoor small cell capabilities to StrattoOpencell, Digital Colony’s neutral host in-building mobile business. StrattoOpencell delivers multi-operator indoor coverage to over 120 connected buildings, using over 2,700 cells.
Graham Payne, chief ececutive of Digital Colony’s UK digital infrastructure platform, commented: “We have always championed small cells. They will be a crucial component in delivering mobile coverage, both inside and outdoors, for today’s networks and even more so as we enter the 5G era.
“The [approach of] iWireless Solutions to service integration, optimisation and radio network design is kindred to StrattoOpencell’s and will do a lot to further strengthen our deep mobile network operator relationships and outdoor small cell offerings.”
Ravi Mondair, founder and chief at iWireless Solutions, said: “We become part of a unique platform, enabling us to keep evolving as a company and further meet the ever-growing demand for connectivity.
“StrattoOpencell has an unparalleled reputation in the UK mobile industry for its pioneering approach and innovative model for bringing carrier-grade, multi-operator mobile signal to buildings and enterprises of all types and sizes. Our partnership makes for an exciting future as combined we have the skills, track record and now investment to disrupt the outdoor small cells market.”
Soracom announces funding for eight early-stage IoT firms
Seattle based IoT connectivity provider Soracom has announced funding for eight early-stage IoT companies, as part of its IoT ‘accelerator programme’. They include providers of IoT solutions for beekeeping, property management, thermoelectric wearables, and swimming pools.
It is now accepting applications for its second “accelerator cohort”, it said.
Soracom revealed details of four of the eight companies to receive funding: BeeHero, Lubn, MATRIX Industries, and Sutro Connect. Along with four others, “still in stealth”, they will receive financial and technical support to speed their market entry.
It is also offering cellular and low-power wide-area (LPWA) connectivity, access to design and manufacturing partners, and introductions to IoT investors.
The firm listed the full range of application fields as: “agriculture, consumer electronics, property management, home maintenance, energy, construction, asset management and healthcare”.
Eugene Kawamoto, chief executive at Soracom Americas, said: “These are exciting teams working at the cutting edge of IoT technology to create a safer, happier, more connected world.”
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