The KPN implementation of LoRaWAN

KPN’s Low Power Long Range (LoRa) network service is based on a relatively new LPWAN protocol for IoT and supplements existing 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The network eliminates significant barriers such as cost and energy consumption so that numerous (battery powered) devices can be connected. KPN has equipped hundreds of existing mobile transmission towers across the Netherlands with a LoRaWAN gateway and antenna, allowing millions of devices to be connected. Future functionality will also include roaming of end-devices on foreign partner networks.



The figure below provides an overview of an IoT solution connecting sensors to an Application Server.

In the figure, the following components can be distinguished:

• Sensor
  
• Communication Device
  
• KPN Network (including software platform)
  
• Application Server
  
• Application
  

The service includes the use of a software functionality, the KPN LoRa platform, which is powered by the Actility Thingpark platform. The KPN LoRa platform offers, in addition to complete management of the operational LPWAN network used by KPN staff, the following functionality towards the customer:

• Device (subscription) management
  
• Insight in message flow
  
• Data routing towards the customer’s Application Server.