LoRaWAN in Suffolk
powering the internet of things near you
You may have heard of the Internet of Things (IoT) – the network of everyday objects, from smart thermostats to soil sensors, that can collect and share data automatically. But did you know Suffolk is home to one of the UK’s largest free public IoT networks? And it’s open for you to use.
At the heart of it is LoRaWAN, short for Low Power, Wide Area Network. It’s a wireless technology designed to connect battery-powered “things” (sensors, trackers, monitors) to the internet over long distances, using very little energy.
Think of it like mobile phone technology for tiny bits of data: a sensor sends information to a nearby gateway, and the gateway sends it on to the internet. It’s not for making calls, browsing the web, or streaming Netflix, and that’s the beauty of it. Because it only sends small amounts of data, it can reach several miles, even from rural areas.
LoRaWAN in Suffolk
Formed in 2021 as part of the Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Network, Suffolk and Norfolk now host the largest free-to-use public sector LoRaWAN network in the UK.
Delivered jointly by Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council, the network offers free, open access connectivity for:
- Businesses
- Schools
- Local councils
- Innovators and community groups
📍You can check live coverage on TTN Mapper.
📶 How Suffolk businesses can benefit
LoRaWAN and IoT devices can unlock smarter, more efficient ways of working:
- Smart agriculture – monitor soil moisture, livestock, and weather conditions in real-time.
- Infrastructure & environment – track air quality, measure flood risk, monitor road temperature for winter gritting, or manage street lighting.
- Social care & independence – discreet wearables can help carers spot changes in routine that might signal a problem.
- Smart parking & footfall – monitor usage to optimise spaces and plan for growth.
❔Why It Matters
- Cost-effective – sensors can be built with affordable technology.
- Low-power – devices often last years on a single battery.
- Long-range – works in both urban and rural areas with minimal infrastructure.
- Community-driven – part of The Things Network, a global, volunteer-powered initiative.
Find out more information about the technology from Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils:
