The Tasmanian city of Launceston is the latest Australian city set to reap the benefits of IoT connectivity, with the announcement that Semtech Corporation’s LoRaWAN wireless platform will be deployed there.

The citywide LPWAN deployment is a collaborative effort between the University of Tasmania’s Sense-T initiative, CSIRO’s Data61 and Definium Technologies, the Launceston-based IT company tasked with its installation.

With the help of a $100,000 funding commitment by the Tasmanian State Government, Definium Technologies will manufacture network gateways and sensors that are compatible with the LoRaWAN specification used by Semtech, a member of the LoRa Alliance.

It is hoped that local businesses and residents will then be encouraged to deploy and use IoT applications to improve manual processes, transportation monitoring, inventory control, healthcare, and more.

The Hon. Michael Ferguson MP, Tasmania’s Minister for Information Technology and Innovation, said in a statement: “This LoRaWAN network will stimulate IoT innovation and business opportunities locally, at first, and then regionally, as the project expands.”

“The range of applications for LoRaWAN networks is extensive, and we are excited to help lay the groundwork to bring IoT to Australia.”

Marc Pegulu, VP and GM of Semtech’s wireless and sensing products group, added: “This ground-breaking project adds Australia to the list of forward-thinking countries developing smart network infrastructures based on the LoRa technology to help streamline day-to-day processes and elevate business decisions, environmental conservation, public infrastructure, and more."

“LoRa technology makes large scale network rollouts possible by integrating into existing infrastructure, offering strong connectivity, providing long range communication, and low power operation.”

Semtech joins a growing list of local companies bringing LPWAN technologies across Australia, including Thinxtra, Meshed, and GCTechSpace.