Tern Plc (AIM:TERN), the company focused on value creation from Internet of Things (“IoT”) technology businesses, is pleased to note that Wyld Networks AB (“Wyld Networks”) has announced that it has partnered with Eutelsat Communications, Senet Inc and TrakAssure to form the Multimodal IoT Infrastructure Consortium™ (“MMIIC”) to bring integrated and interoperable terrestrial and satellite LoRaWAN® IoT connectivity* to customers across the globe. Tern holds 58.7% of Wyld Networks’ issued share capital, which is quoted on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm.
The MMIIC consortium intends to integrate the parties’ platforms, and innovative sensor and hardware designs, coupled with collaborative service delivery and compelling pricing, to target the global supply chain, with container logistics and related asset tracking, as the first and anchor applications.
TrakAssure and Wyld Networks are collaborating on the design and production of a new sensor-enabled device to be used for supply chain and asset tracking solutions. Wyld Networks is designing and producing the hardware module, along with unique firmware. This utilises standard LoRaWAN® compliant chips and components, providing cost and time to market advantages.
Eutelsat will provide LoRaWAN® coverage via low earth orbiting satellites, while Senet, which owns and operates the largest publicly available LoRaWAN® network in the United States, will provide terrestrial LoRaWAN® network connectivity.
The initial focus for the consortium is on formalising and completing all technical tests, pilots, and the commercial delivery of its first-to-market supply chain solutions. The companies are planning a commercial service launch in the second half of 2022, with pilots beginning in February 2022.
Commenting, Alastair Williamson, CEO of Wyld Networks said: “The lack of affordable wireless coverage is holding back the growth of the Internet of Things. By combining the two advanced frontier technologies of LoRaWAN® and low earth orbiting satellites, we can enable 100% global, affordable and low-power connectivity to support IoT deployments in multiple markets and segments.”
* The LoRaWAN® specification, developed and maintained by the LoRa Alliance®, is a Low Power, Wide Area networking protocol designed to wirelessly connect battery operated ‘things’ to the internet in regional, national or global networks, and targets key IoT requirements such as bi-directional communication, end-to-end security, mobility and localization services.