Key Takeaways
- ZENNER, EchoStar, and Semtech collaborate on LoRaWAN®-enabled satellite utility metering
- The system enables real-time data transmission from water, gas, and electric meters without cellular infrastructure
- Supports smart utility management in remote and underserved regions
- Set for commercial availability in early 2026
- LoRa Alliance members target global, scalable, and sustainable utility data solutions
ZENNER Launches Direct Meter-to-Satellite Connectivity for Utilities
ZENNER, in partnership with EchoStar and Semtech, has introduced what it describes as the first utility meter system capable of direct communication with satellites. Revealed as a collaboration between members of the LoRa Alliance, this system aims to reshape how consumption data from utility meters—covering water, gas, and electricity—is collected and managed across vast geographies.
How It Works: LoRaWAN® and Satellite Integration
The technology utilizes LoRaWAN®, a low-power, long-range communications protocol, to send data directly from utility meters to satellites. This bypasses traditional dependencies on cellular networks or local data collection infrastructure, a move that could extend smart metering to rural and hard-to-reach locations globally.
“This milestone is not just about technological prowess—it embodies a vision for a more interconnected and efficient world,” said Rich Sanders, President of Zenner USA.
Key Benefits and Impact Areas
- Global Reach: Provides coverage beyond terrestrial infrastructure
- Affordability: Scales from small to large utilities due to the cost-efficiency of LoRaWAN®
- Real-Time Analytics: Enables faster response to consumption trends and anomalies
- Environmental Efficiency: Supports water conservation, leak detection, and drought monitoring
- Future-Proofing: Open-source protocols reduce risk of obsolescence
Industry Collaboration Driving Innovation
The announcement highlighted the combined contributions of each partner:
- ZENNER: Utility hardware manufacturing and system integration
- EchoStar: Satellite and terrestrial IoT infrastructure
- Semtech: Chipsets enabling long-range, low-power LoRa® communications
“Together with Zenner and Semtech we are revolutionizing the way utilities deploy and operate their services,” said Telemaco Melia, VP of EchoStar Mobile.
“This utility-to-satellite breakthrough represents LoRaWAN® connectivity without boundaries,” added Rémi Demerlé, Marketing Director at Semtech.
