The rise of LoRaWAN as a global IoT standard - Blog - Kerlink
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The rise of LoRaWAN as a global IoT standard

 

LoRaWAN is now widely recognized as the leading LPWAN technology for large-scale IoT deployments. Its long range, low power consumption, reduced deployment and operating costs, and interoperability make it the solution of choice in many sectors, including utilities, smart cities, smart buildings, smart industry, smart agriculture, and more. Local authorities, industrial players, and operators rely on public, private, or hybrid LoRaWAN networks to modernize infrastructures, automate processes, and optimize resource usage.

Within this rapidly evolving ecosystem, Kerlink holds a unique position: as a founding member of the LoRa Alliance and a key player that has been contributing for over 15 years to the development and consolidation of LPWAN technologies, particularly the open LoRaWAN standard.

From the origins of LPWAN to the creation of global standard

In the early 2010s, the LPWAN market was characterized by the coexistence of multiple emerging IoT technologies.

To address early needs in water and gas metering, Kerlink helped drive the adoption and deployment of long‑range radio solutions based on WMBus standards: UHF 868 MHz bands (S and C modes) for sub-metering, and VHF 169 MHz for water and gas distribution networks. In this context, Kerlink actively contributed to the development of the AFNOR E17Z application guide and developed the first open solution dedicated to water networks operated under public service delegation, with the aim of ensuring solution interoperability for the benefit of local authorities.

Shortly thereafter, the rapid growth of IoT and the emergence of new requirements related to the energy and environmental transition both in cities (street lighting, parking, waste management, pest control, etc.) and in the private sector (building energy efficiency) raised a major challenge: identifying a technological solution capable of being both:

  • Exportable: certifiable and deployable worldwide at low cost and without major adaptations;
  • Scalable and versatile: applicable to a wide range of use cases beyond metering, and able to scale without constraints.

Kerlink made the strategic decision, very early on, to invest in LoRa radio technology, believing that this unlicensed, long‑range, ultra‑low‑power and low‑cost modulation met these requirements and provided a solid foundation to support the growth of IoT.

In 2013, Kerlink developed the first LoRa gateway, the Wirnet Station, to validate the relevance of this technological approach. Kerlink then gradually expanded its portfolio of LoRaWAN solutions with several gateways, including the Wirnet iStation and Wirnet iFemtoCell‑evolution in 2019, followed by the Wirn iZeptoCell in 2021.

In 2015, Kerlink and seven other companies founded the LoRa Alliance. This international non‑profit association was created to standardize the open, interoperable, and scalable LoRaWAN protocol and to promote its adoption worldwide.

Since its inception, the LoRa Alliance has structured its work around three main pillars:

  • Technical specifications: defining and evolving the LoRaWAN standard to ensure consistency, long‑term sustainability, and adaptation to new use cases;
  • Interoperability: developing certification programs to guarantee compatibility between devices, network infrastructure, and software solutions;
  • Promotion: communication initiatives aimed at supporting the global diffusion and adoption of LoRaWAN technology.

Today, the LoRa Alliance brings together 360 members and reports more than 125 million devices deployed in over 180 countries.* On Kerlink’s side, more than 320,000 installations have been deployed for over 780 customers in 86 countries. This momentum confirms the maturity of the LoRaWAN standard and its ability to support a wide variety of applications across nearly all industrial sectors.

Kerlink, an active and recognized member of the LoRa Alliance

Kerlink is one of only two founding members still active within the Alliance, alongside Semtech, and therefore continuously holds the status of “Permanent Member”. This position reflects Kerlink’s active contribution to the governance and technical work of the LoRa Alliance.

Yannick Delibie, co‑founder and CTO of Kerlink, has served on the Board of Directors since the Alliance’s creation and currently holds the position of Secretary. Julien Catalano, Deputy CTO at Kerlink, is Vice‑Chair of the Technical Committee of the LoRa Alliance, the working group responsible for the evolution of LoRaWAN technical specifications.

These responsibilities and this long‑standing commitment have been recognized on several occasions by the LoRa Alliance.

In 2023, Yannick Delibie received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his essential contribution to the creation and evolution of the LoRaWAN standard.

In 2025, Kerlink was once again honored with the “Corporate Award”, recognizing its sustained engagement in the mission of the LoRa Alliance and its active role within the ecosystem.

That same year, Julien Catalano was also awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Award”, in recognition of his major role in the development and promotion of LoRaWAN technology and his active contribution to collaborative efforts within the ecosystem.

LoRaWAN at the heart of the ecological transition

Market trends confirm that LoRaWAN technology will continue to play a central role in IoT in the coming years. In a global context where environmental transition, resource optimization, and energy efficiency are becoming top priorities, IoT stands out as a key lever to support the development of smart cities and the modernization of public and private infrastructures.

Within this framework, Kerlink intends to continue its commitment to the LoRa Alliance and to strengthen its support for local authorities and industrial players by providing connectivity solutions tailored to their IoT projects.

* Source : LoRa Alliance, 2025 End of Year Report