The IoT means different things to different people. For consumers, it’s the ease of smart devices like Wi-Fi-enabled air fryers or robotic vacuums that make daily life simple.
But for organisations in sectors such as building management, utilities, digital connectivity, and public health, IoT is transformative and goes far beyond convenience. It provides fundamental, macro-level insights that are driving the new world and powering AI.
In these sectors, smart devices provide essential data that can attenuate system operations, prioritise resources, flag alerts and notify operators when specific conditions are met, or device tolerances approached. In these scenarios, the ability to transmit and receive large amounts of data is secondary. Sensing devices must be reliable and low-maintenance, and because they need to be long-lived, they need to consume as little power as possible.
LoRaWAN: A technology built for long-term impact
While the world marvels at the high-speed, high-bandwidth capabilities of 5G and Wi-Fi 7, industries are increasingly turning to LoRaWAN as the go-to technology for IoT applications.
Valued at $3.7 billion in 2024, and with a projected Annual Growth Rate of 41.1% from 2025 to 2034, ABI Research projects that by 2026, LoRaWAN will be the leading non-cellular LPWAN technology, accounting for over half of all non-cellular connections.
Offering long-range communication (both indoors and outdoors), licence-free operation, and open standards, LoRaWAN delivers small, regular data packets with exceptional efficiency and reliability – making it an ideal solution for IoT deployments focused on practicality and long-term performance.
Speaking to us in an exclusive interview, Steven Drewett, CEO of the UK’s Concept13, explained: “It’s not about the high bandwidth, it’s the capability or capacity of sensors, often battery powered, and the numbers connecting. The whole concept of LoRaWAN is the reliable delivery of packets of very precise granular information: temperature, humidity, and water flow pressure for example.”
Trusted UK, EU, and US manufacturing partners
The value and benefit of LoRaWAN can come from the operators not having to return to devices for several years. However, Drewett went on to say that there’s a temptation to source devices from the lowest denominator suppliers, but buyers often regret going cheap at the point of purchase. “I think people get confused with what appear to be low cost as opposed to sensibly sourced,” he said.
Resellers make good margins on grey imports of LoRaWAN hardware, but the end-user pays in short lifespans, device failures, and risks the costs to revisit difficult-to-access installations to replace units or batteries.
While cheap imports seem cost-effective initially, their frequent failures, higher replacement rates, and maintenance needs result in costs that are 2-3 times higher over their lifespan.
Concept13, celebrating ten years in LoRaWAN in 2025, learnt these hard lessons early on. Drewett warns of the pitfalls, “We started by selling innovative cheap imports with high margins. Everything seemed fine for six months, but then units failed, batteries depleted, and the cost of replacing them – not to mention the damage to reputation – was significant.”
Concept13 today exclusively only sells from trusted UK, EU, and US manufacturers. The company focused on selling higher quality production units, which, at the volumes the company acquires, allows for lower margins, so the end unit costs are near-identical. It is this focus on quality and volume which drives the wider confidence in LoRaWAN and adoption of the IoT with its clients.
Commitment to longevity and flexibility
Concept13’s commitment to open standards means its hardware is not tied to proprietary systems, giving clients the freedom and flexibility to integrate and scale their IoT solutions. “We want LoRaWAN to be as ubiquitous as Wi-Fi,” says Drewett. “Our role is to ensure businesses have access to high-quality, dependable sensors and the expert guidance they need to make their IoT adoption a success.”
Drewett envisions a future where LoRaWAN becomes the backbone of IoT deployments, “I would like to see LoRaWAN as being mainstream, adopted as much as today people talk about Wi-Fi. And I’d like to think that Concept13 is at the forefront of leading market adoption in terms of distribution of dependable hardware sensors and expert consultancy.”
However, Drewett cautions against the risks posed by low-cost, high-margin imports that often compromise on quality. “IoT engagement and early pilots can be derailed by misguided investments in low-grade devices,” he explains. “The true cost of these devices extends far beyond the initial purchase price, as frequent failures, short lifespans, and high maintenance costs can erode ROI and damage confidence in IoT solutions. The lifetime value of IoT devices should always be measured in years, not months.”
From consultancy to provisioning, Concept13 supports companies at every stage of their IoT journey. The devices it recommends come with extended warranties and are proven performers in deployments across the UK and Europe.
Concept13 also supports some of Europe’s largest IoT projects, providing expertise for both in-house development and global rollouts. To delve deeper into the complexities of building a global LoRaWAN platform and gain valuable insights, we invite you to download the company’s new whitepaper, curated with some of Concept13’s suppliers. This comprehensive resource explores the challenges and opportunities in creating scalable, reliable LoRaWAN IoT solutions for a connected world.
Meet Concept13 at IoT Tech Expo Global, London
Concept13 will be showcasing its expertise at the IoT Tech Expo Global taking place 5-6 February 2025 at Olympia, London. Leading manufacturers and suppliers such as MultiTech, Synetica, and Loriot will join Concept13 at Stand 92 to highlight the latest in LoRaWAN technology. The team would be delighted to welcome you to the booth or schedule a meeting with one of their technical experts.
For more information or to connect with Concept13 ahead of the event, visit the website or contact Steven at Stevend@concept13.co.uk.
