The Weightless SIG today announced that NWave Technologies Limited, a leading IoT over ISM spectrum vendor, has joined the group to contribute to the rapid evolution of the recently announced Weightless-N specification. Weightless-N is the new and unique open connectivity standard for IoT/M2M over ISM bands.

NWave is a leading provider of connectivity technology for the Internet of Things in unlicensed spectrum - specifically the Industrial, Scientific and Medical bands below 1GHz. NWave's technology is designed to operate in 868MHz in Europe and 900MHz band in the USA.

Weightless-N will utilise Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) technology to deliver best in class connectivity solutions that retain all of the core competitive advantages of Weightless technology that have already been established: Minimal power consumption will enable terminal devices to operate in the field for up to ten years on a single AA form-factor battery. Simple terminal hardware utilising low cost components will enable modules to be deployed for around USD$2. Network costs will be minimised through excellent signal propagation characteristics - an urban range of 5km to a low cost internally located antenna and between 20 - 30km rural range to an external antenna.

Commenting on today's announcement, Professor William Webb, CEO of the Weightless SIG said "We are delighted to welcome NWave Technologies Limited to the Weightless SIG" adding that "NWave is a leader in IoT over ISM spectrum and the company's deep technical experience in LPWAN connectivity will make a significant contribution to the rapid development of Weightless-N". Webb continued "Bringing proven capability from an existing technology provider to the SIG and merging it with the expertise already established within the group will accelerate the development of Weightless-N as the leading global open standard for machine connectivity over licence exempt spectrum".

Jonathan Wiggin, CEO of NWave Technologies, commented "We are delighted to have become a Core Member of the Weightless SIG and to be able to use our experience and expertise in the development of communications technologies for the Internet of Things in order to contribute to the development of the Weightless-N standard" adding "we expect that our collaboration within the SIG's working groups will help to bring the Standard to completion early next year". Wiggin went on to explain "a global, open standard is critical for the successful commercialisation of a wireless technology and for the first time a standards body is proactively bringing together the elements that will quickly allow us to make this a reality".

Work is underway through the Weightless SIG's established technology working groups - an extensive network of leading companies with specialists in the key parts of the specification development process. Version 1.0 of the Weightless-N specification is anticipated by the end of Q1 2015. Commercial deployments of Weightless-N compliant technology are expected shortly after.
 

Click on the movie screen below to watch NWave CEO Jonathan Wiggin and Weightless SIG CEO Professor William Webb discussing today's announcement: