The Discontinuation of Cisco LoRaWAN Support: Implications and Alternatives

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the IoT (Internet of Things) industry, Cisco has announced the discontinuation of its LoRaWAN (Long-Range Wide-Area Network) support. This decision, which will take effect in the coming months, has left many Cisco customers and partners scrambling to find alternative solutions to meet their IoT connectivity needs. As a Cisco expert, I will delve into the implications of this move and explore the potential alternatives available to those affected by this change.

The Rationale Behind Cisco’s Decision

According to Cisco’s official announcement, the decision to discontinue LoRaWAN support is part of the company’s broader strategy to focus on its core networking and security offerings. The company cites the need to allocate resources more efficiently and align its product portfolio with the evolving market demands. While Cisco’s decision may be understandable from a business perspective, it has undoubtedly left a significant void in the IoT connectivity landscape.

The Impact on Cisco Customers and Partners

The discontinuation of Cisco LoRaWAN support will have a significant impact on the company’s customers and partners who have invested in this technology. These organizations will need to:

• Evaluate alternative IoT connectivity solutions to replace the Cisco LoRaWAN offering
• Migrate their existing IoT deployments to the new solution, which can be a complex and time-consuming process
• Potentially incur additional costs associated with the migration and the adoption of a new technology
• Retrain their workforce to become proficient in the new IoT connectivity solution

Exploring Alternative IoT Connectivity Solutions

With Cisco’s LoRaWAN support coming to an end, organizations must explore alternative IoT connectivity solutions to meet their needs. Some of the potential options include:

• Other LoRaWAN Providers: There are several other LoRaWAN solution providers in the market, such as Semtech, Microchip, and Laird Connectivity, that may be able to offer similar or even enhanced capabilities compared to Cisco’s offering.
• Cellular IoT Technologies: Technologies like NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) and LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution for Machines) are gaining traction in the IoT market and may be viable alternatives for organizations that require wider coverage and higher data rates.
• Proprietary IoT Connectivity Solutions: Some IoT device manufacturers and platform providers offer their own proprietary connectivity solutions, which may be worth considering if they align with the organization’s specific requirements.
• Open-Source IoT Connectivity Platforms: There are several open-source IoT connectivity platforms, such as The Things Network and ChirpStack, that provide LoRaWAN support and may be a cost-effective alternative for organizations with in-house technical expertise.

Evaluating the Alternatives: Key Considerations

When evaluating alternative IoT connectivity solutions, organizations should consider the following key factors:

• Coverage and Range: Assess the geographic coverage and range of the connectivity solution to ensure it meets the organization’s needs.
• Data Rates and Bandwidth: Understand the data rates and bandwidth capabilities of the alternative solutions to ensure they can support the organization’s IoT use cases.
• Security and Compliance: Evaluate the security features and compliance standards of the alternative solutions to ensure they meet the organization’s security and regulatory requirements.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Assess the scalability and flexibility of the alternative solutions to ensure they can accommodate the organization’s future growth and evolving IoT requirements.
• Cost and Total Cost of Ownership: Consider the upfront and ongoing costs associated with the alternative solutions, including hardware, software, and maintenance expenses.

Conclusion: Navigating the Transition

The discontinuation of Cisco LoRaWAN support is a significant event in the IoT industry, and it will undoubtedly impact many Cisco customers and partners. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for organizations to explore alternative IoT connectivity solutions that may better align with their evolving needs. By carefully evaluating the available options and considering the key factors, organizations can navigate this transition and find a solution that will enable them to continue their IoT initiatives and maintain a competitive edge in the market.