Irish company EchoStar Mobile and Dutch firm Things Industries are collaborating to deploy hybrid satellite and LoRa IoT services for businesses across Europe.

The companies have incorporated EchoStar’s satellite IoT capabilities into the Things Stack, a cloud-based LoRaWan server, letting users connect IoT devices for real-time, two-way communications over satellite or terrestrial networks using a dual-transport, generic node.

“With plug-and-play simplicity, this collaboration between EchoStar Mobile and the Things Network enables terrestrial and satellite transports to be integrated easily into the same node or module for IoT applications,” said Telemaco Melia, vice president at EchoStar Mobile. “It’s a breakthrough that enables cost-effective IoT deployments with seamless coverage so customers can be sure their devices remain connected anytime, anywhere, within the service area, even in the most remote places.”

Things Industries CEO Wienke Giezeman added: “LoRa technology has previously been confined by the limits of terrestrial infrastructure. EchoStar’s innovative, integrated approach to satellite connectivity breaks this barrier. Our collaboration provides all the key features of our generic node combined with the wide area reach of the EchoStar network to enable smooth, universal LoRaWan access, wherever the user may be.”

The collaboration introduces satellite connectivity to the Things Stack LoRaWan server and its generic node concept edition, letting users extend the reach and reliability of their connected IoT devices with one click. With the satellite capability and a limited-time free trial for each device connected, businesses can expand their IoT deployments to remote and difficult locations.

Last year, EchoStar Mobile unveiled its pan-European LoRa-enabled IoT network, which is now delivering bi-directional, real-time LoRa connectivity for users across Europe. Integration with the Things Stack cloud propels this offering to a global scale, powering multi-country service continuity for customers in sectors such as utilities, transportation, logistics and agritech.

EchoStar (www.echostar.com) is a technology and networking services provider offering consumer, enterprise, operator and government options worldwide under its Hughes, HughesNet and EchoStar brands. In Europe, EchoStar operates under its EchoStar Mobile subsidiary and, in Australia, the company operates as EchoStar Global Australia.

Things Industries (www.thethingsindustries.com) is at the forefront of providing LoRaWan servers. Through the Things Stack, it offers a suite of services and tools, ensuring secure management for millions of LoRaWan devices in production globally. Its flagship product, the Things Stack cloud, provides a fully-managed, SLA-backed cloud subscription for businesses worldwide.