The Netherlands becomes world's first country to create nation wide IoT network

We have been hearing about the Internet of Things (IoT) for quite some time now. In the current scenario IoT devices are using traditional cellular or wireless networks. But the Netherlands will now become the first country in the world to have a nation-wide network which is dedicated for IoT products. The network which is based on the LoRaWAN or low-power wide area radio networks specification, took eight months to implement. The initial rollout started with the Hague and Rotterdam according to Dutch telco KPN which has been instrumental in setting it up. In its press release, KPN stated that it has contracted 1.5 million IoT devices which will be connected to the LoRa networks and that number will grow over time. KPN has used its existing networks to build up the LoRaWAN networks. It has added gateways and antennas to many mobile transmission towers. It is being used to complement the existing networks and not replace them. “Last year we identified an increasing demand for low-power network technology for Internet of Things applications. We are responding to this by choosing LoRa, so millions of devices can be connected to the internet in a cost-effective manner,” said Joost Farwerck, Chief Operations Officer and member of the Board of Management of KPN. Apart from setting up the network, KPN has also shown many proof-of-concept projects such as baggage handling and facility services as the Schiphol Airport or monitoring rail switches as the Utrecht Central station.