This chapter from The Agricultural Technology Report examines the pivotal role of sensing technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, and advanced connectivity solutions in transforming modern agriculture. The report, which has garnered over 24,000 subscribers, explores how real-time data collection through distributed sensor networks enables farmers to monitor soil conditions, weather patterns, crop health, and livestock welfare with unprecedented precision. Advanced connectivity systems—including 5G, satellite communications, and specialized agricultural networks—facilitate seamless data transmission from remote field locations to cloud-based analytics platforms. These integrated technologies empower agricultural decision-making by providing actionable insights that optimize resource allocation, reduce waste, and enhance yield predictions. The chapter contextualizes these innovations within the broader Agricultural Technology Report framework, which spans five comprehensive chapters addressing the sector's technological evolution. By connecting IoT devices and sensing infrastructure, farmers can implement data-driven strategies that improve operational efficiency and sustainability, making this technological convergence essential for addressing food security challenges in an increasingly digitized agricultural landscape.

Long-range modems enable reliable, low-power wireless connectivity across kilometers for remote industrial, agricultural, and off-grid applications—fundamentally different from consumer Wi-Fi routers. Unlike traditional home networking, these devices prioritize link budget, energy efficiency, and protocol resilience over speed, transmitting minimal data asynchronously over licensed or unlicensed spectrum. The market has shifted dramatically toward hybrid satellite-plus-LTE/NB-IoT modems following 3GPP Release 17 standardization and government infrastructure investments in India and China. For most deployments, LoRa or NB-IoT modems delivering 8-kilometer-plus outdoor range address over 90 percent of rural and industrial use cases at under $50 per unit. Success depends on evaluating five measurable performance attributes rather than range alone: link budget, interference resilience, power consumption, protocol overhead, and real-world throughput. Current market pricing reveals distinct tiers, with NB-IoT modules starting around $22. The strongest competitive advantage in 2026 centers on interoperability and lifecycle simplicity rather than raw specifications, making pre-provisioned cellular solutions increasingly attractive for pilot deployments seeking faster time-to-value.

OSHI is a privacy-focused messenger application available on the Apple App Store that enables users to communicate offline through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi mesh networks without requiring internet connectivity, SIM cards, or phone numbers. The app employs end-to-end encryption using X3DH and Double Ratchet protocols to secure one-to-one messages and calls, with encryption keys remaining exclusively on users' devices. OSHI features an on-device AI assistant that processes requests locally without transmitting data to external servers, alongside standard messaging capabilities including group chats, voice notes, file sharing, and self-destructing media. The offline mesh network reaches approximately 100 meters in open spaces but significantly less through walls, extending further when multiple users nearby have the app active to relay messages. The application automatically switches to internet transmission when no users are in range. OSHI addresses real-world communication needs during festivals, flights, travel, and network outages. Recent security updates, identified by independent researcher Turáni Gergely, fixed vulnerabilities related to encrypted conversation integrity and bot history storage, improving both reliability and device security.

Colorado Mesh is a community-driven initiative establishing a decentralized, resilient wireless mesh network across Colorado as an alternative to traditional internet service providers. The project operates through a GitHub repository serving as the central hub for software development, documentation, and hardware configurations. The initiative has developed several key technical components, including a cross-platform Electron desktop client compatible with Meshtastic, MeshCore, and Reticulum protocols, supporting macOS, Linux, and Windows with multi-language capabilities, Bluetooth Low Energy, USB serial, Wi-Fi/TCP, and MQTT connectivity alongside local SQLite history and routing diagnostics. Additional tools include a self-hosted MeshCore observer coverage application that generates test codes, monitors MQTT receipts, and scores message reachability performance, along with specialized MeshCore observer firmware. The network addresses critical communication needs during emergencies by providing community-owned infrastructure independent of commercial providers. Colorado Mesh actively welcomes developer contributions and community participation, positioning itself as an accessible initiative for experienced developers, networking enthusiasts, and those seeking reliable, resilient communication solutions.

Last week, at Qualcomm’s headquarters in San Diego, VP of Engineering Hemanth Sampath told a room of press and analysts that 50 GB a month is modest. He said a single personal AI assistant could consume around 45 GB a month, with half of it on the uplink; that a current 5G cell would support roughly five such users; and that 6G would raise that to twenty-plus. Durga Malladi, who runs technology planning and edge solutions, warned that if 6G ends up being just a more efficient bit pipe, then, in his words, “we have failed.” I agree with Malladi on the failure, but strongly disagree with using the road to get there.

This paper provides an overview of the Internet of Things (IoT) with emphasis on enabling technologies, protocols, and application issues. The IoT is enabled by the latest developments in RFID, smart sensors, communication technologies, and Internet protocols. The basic premise is to have smart sensors collaborate directly without human involvement to deliver a new class of applications. The current revolution in Internet, mobile, and machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies can be seen as the first phase of the IoT. In the coming years, the IoT is expected to bridge diverse technologies to enable new applications by connecting physical objects together in support of intelligent decision making. This paper starts by providing a horizontal overview of the IoT. Then, we give an overview of some technical details that pertain to the IoT enabling technologies, protocols, and applications. Compared to other survey papers in the field, our objective is to provide a more thorough summary of the most relevant protocols and application issues to enable researchers and application developers to get up to speed quickly on how the different protocols fit together to deliver desired functionalities without having to go through RFCs and the standards specifications. We also provide an overview of some of the key IoT challenges presented in the recent literature and provide a summary of related research work. Moreover, we explore the relation between the IoT and other emerging technologies including big data analytics and cloud and fog computing. We also present the need for better horizontal integration among IoT services. Finally, we present detailed service use-cases to illustrate how the different protocols presented in the paper fit together to deliver desired IoT services.

Mesh networking represents a peer-to-peer topology where devices relay traffic directly to one another, eliminating dependence on centralized infrastructure like cell towers or routers. DORS, an offline mesh networking protocol, exemplifies this approach with a production deployment spanning 350,000+ devices across 80+ countries operating over Bluetooth LE and WiFi Direct. Unlike conventional networks vulnerable to infrastructure failure or saturation, mesh networks are self-healing and infrastructure-independent, making them invaluable in disaster zones, underground environments, and areas under deliberate shutdown. DORS implements sophisticated routing capabilities, supporting messages relayed across up to eight hops with built-in acknowledgment, retry, and deduplication mechanisms. The protocol employs MLS encryption with Ed25519 identities, allowing relay nodes to forward ciphertext without accessing encryption keys. Load balancing automatically shifts relay duties toward well-charged devices while reducing load on energy-constrained ones. DORS accommodates multiple transports—BLE, WiFi Direct, internet, Reticulum, and Nostr—behind a unified API, scoring and routing messages through the optimal available path per transmission. The system supports chunked file transfers up to 100MB with per-chunk acknowledgment and resume capability. This technology demonstrates that robust, decentralized connectivity can scale organically without centralized infrastructure coordination.

LoRa pagers are programmable, offline-capable messaging devices utilizing long-range, low-power LoRa radio technology, designed for users requiring text-based communication without cellular or internet connectivity. Modern implementations, such as the LILYGO T-LoRa Pager, run open-source firmware like Meshtastic and support GPS, NFC, and mesh networking across license-free ISM bands (868 MHz in Europe, 915 MHz in the US). Unlike legacy pagers reliant on centralized broadcast infrastructure, LoRa pagers transmit short text messages, typically under 240 bytes, using the LoRa physical layer in a decentralized, user-managed manner. These devices appeal to hikers, preppers, amateur radio enthusiasts, and IoT developers seeking reliable off-grid communication during travel or emergencies. At their core, LoRa pagers utilize the SX1262 chip, supporting spreading factors SF7–SF12 and output power up to +22 dBm, delivering predictable, energy-efficient, low-bandwidth messaging independent of infrastructure. Their significance lies not in speed or app integration but in providing dependable, infrastructure-agnostic text delivery for specialized use cases where traditional communication networks are unavailable or unreliable.

This instructional article introduces MeshCore, a free open-source mesh networking system designed for budget-conscious makers. The course enables users to build a functional encrypted messaging network using affordable LoRa radios for approximately £30. Participants will construct a two-node mesh utilizing Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 boards, each costing around £15, with differentiation achieved through firmware flashing and configuration rather than hardware changes. The system operates independently without requiring mobile signal, WiFi, internet connectivity, or subscription fees, allowing text communication across three-mile distances. The course structure delivers progressive lessons covering both hardware and software competencies, with each module introducing singular concepts followed by practical application. Command-line instructions are presented in code format, with user-specific variables indicated in angle brackets. The curriculum includes troubleshooting sections addressing common implementation challenges, emphasizing that diagnostic content provides essential learning value beyond basic setup instructions.

For most of the software era, the client was a stable application. A company built it, registered it, gave it credentials, connected it to an API, and kept that integration running for months or years. Authentication, billing, quotas, versioning, documentation, and support were all designed around software that stayed around. AI agents work differently. A persistent agent can take one objective and create thousands of smaller agents to work on different parts of it at the same time. One may search suppliers while another reads contracts; others compare prices, analyze documents, test scenarios, or verify results. Kimi Moonshot already runs swarms with up to 300 concurrent subagents, more than 4,000 tool calls in a single task, and reports execution up to 4.5 times faster than sequential execution.

If orbital D2D is really going to move the needle for AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, it eventually needs to do something much more important with their networks. It needs to carry enough real traffic that the carrier can avoid building, upgrading, or maintaining some terrestrial infrastructure. Otherwise, what exactly is the capex benefit? AST already says this openly, as its pitch to mobile operators is that they can extend coverage into places where terrestrial economics do not work without building additional towers or other land-based infrastructure. SpaceX is pursuing a different commercial model, but the infrastructure logic is the same. If meaningful rural and semi-rural traffic moves into orbit, some radios on the ground should eventually become unnecessary.

Telco security teams are used to ridiculous cyber numbers. For example, in the first six months of 2026, Cloudflare blocked 23.2 million network DDoS attacks across its infrastructure. That is about 128,000 attacks every day, or more than 5,300 every hour. It also recorded 935 attacks above one terabit per second during the same period. The volume is so high, and many attacks are so short, that human response became unrealistic years ago.

The M5Stack Unit C6L is a compact LoRa mesh node device combining an ESP32-C6 microcontroller with an SX1262 LoRa transceiver, designed specifically for Meshtastic experiments and off-grid telemetry applications. The unit integrates a 0.66-inch OLED display, RGB LED, buzzer, user button, and dual RP-SMA antenna ports for both LoRa and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Operating across 868-923 MHz with maximum transmit power of +22 dBm and receive sensitivity to -147 dBm, the device offers practical advantages for users seeking portable mesh nodes with visual status feedback during setup and diagnostics. The unit is particularly valuable for Meshtastic learning, compact relay and client node deployment, desk testing, and LoRa network configuration practice. Critical setup considerations include proper firmware flashing, correct LoRa region selection, Bluetooth pairing procedures, and avoiding ESP32-C6 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interference issues. The integrated OLED display distinguishes this device from headless alternatives, providing essential operational visibility. This hardware combination makes the M5Stack Unit C6L suitable for those developing or testing mesh network infrastructure without requiring sophisticated handheld messaging capabilities.

Wisconsin has launched a comprehensive Broadband Toolkit designed to empower local communities in expanding broadband access and closing the digital divide. The toolkit provides flexible resources for communities to engage stakeholders and develop strategic broadband plans. Central to this initiative is the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program, which offers up to $60 million in funding for the 2026 grant round to deploy high-speed internet in unserved areas, with applications accepted through July 27, 2026. The toolkit addresses critical topics including the connection between broadband access and improved health outcomes, community engagement strategies, data collection for planning, and public-private partnerships as essential mechanisms for expansion. The program emphasizes that communities with established local broadband plans and developed partnerships are best positioned to secure grant funding. Digital inclusion activities are prioritized to ensure all residents, particularly disadvantaged populations, gain access to and effectively use information and communication technologies. By combining educational workshops, grant opportunities, and partnership frameworks, Wisconsin aims to achieve universal Internet access for all residents.

Los Angeles County has announced near-completion of its first Community Broadband Networks in partnership with WeLink Communications, extending affordable, high-speed internet access to over 300,000 households across East and South Los Angeles neighborhoods including Boyle Heights, Watts, and Willowbrook. Service plans begin at $25 monthly for qualifying households and $65 for market-rate customers, with no credit checks or deposits required. HR&A's Tech & Society team has been instrumental since 2021, conducting site analysis for wireless deployment, designing the competitive solicitation process, compiling Digital Equity Index data to identify areas of greatest need, and establishing a Digital Navigator program with thirty community-based organizations to support enrollment and digital literacy. This collaborative effort secured $56 million in federal funding and created one of the nation's most competitive broadband offerings. With fewer than two dozen similar projects operating nationally at this scale and speed, LA County's initiative distinguishes itself through consistent stakeholder engagement from strategy through implementation, ensuring that communities most affected by the digital divide receive informed support throughout the process.

HALO is a private, decentralized long-range mesh network platform designed for operations in denied or disrupted connectivity environments where traditional infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable. Unlike conventional mesh systems that rely on centralized hubs, gateways, or cloud backends, HALO implements a fully peer-to-peer architecture where each node routes traffic for its neighbors and automatically reformats around node failures, ensuring network resilience without single points of failure. The platform integrates edge command capabilities directly into nodes, enabling operators to execute command workflows, access status and position data, and control operations entirely in the field without relying on cloud services or external servers. HALO supports deployment across fixed sites, vehicles, and expeditionary kits, and requires no subscriptions, vendor accounts, or service plans. The system enables rapid field deployment without specialized RF engineers, integrates with existing mission systems, and natively supports I2C sensors, camera feeds, telemetry streams, and no-code workflow automation through its Flows interface. OpenAPI compatibility allows integration with standard endpoints for triggers and data outputs, providing organizations with complete end-to-end network ownership.

No operator reports network API revenue in its financials. Well, this is not an accident. The maths is simply too small, and the same maths will decide who captures the value when AI agents start transacting.

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Chris Brooks, Senior Director of Operations at GoNetspeed, recently received the Connect the Unconnected Award for his leadership in bridging the digital divide through fiber broadband expansion. Brooks has guided GoNetspeed's growth from a regional startup to an operation spanning 11 states, focusing on underserved communities with limited connectivity options. His commitment to broadband access was galvanized during the COVID-19 pandemic when he witnessed students unable to complete schoolwork due to inadequate internet infrastructure. GoNetspeed's strategy prioritizes community buy-in and engagement, beginning with government affairs teams working directly with local officials before permits are filed, followed by marketing initiatives and construction teams serving as company ambassadors. Rather than pursuing maximum market penetration, GoNetspeed targets communities reliant on legacy DSL or single cable providers, aiming to provide residents with genuine broadband alternatives. This approach combines strategic market selection with relationship-building and transparent community engagement, positioning GoNetspeed as a model for addressing America's persistent digital divide.

The Mesh Network Blog covers recent developments in off-grid mesh networking technology and hardware. MeshCore 1.17.0 introduces a listen-before-talk rewrite, JSON configuration migration, and support for new hardware including the SenseCAP X1. EasySkyMesh PowerSaving 17 achieves ultra-low power consumption of 0.9 mA on RAK4631 repeaters through RX duty-cycle sleep functionality. Notable hardware releases include the Seeed MeshTracker X1, which pairs dual-band GNSS with Semtech's LR2021 LoRa chip in an IP66 compact design, and the M5Stack Cardputer Mesh Kit at $48, featuring an ESP32-S3 processor and integrated keyboard. The platform compares multiple devices including the Wio Tracker L1 Pro and SenseCAP T1000-E credit-card LoRa tracker. Key firmware options now include free MeshCore builds matching commercial features and EasySkyMesh 15 updates with improved power management. These developments reflect the growing sophistication of mesh networking infrastructure, enabling reliable long-distance connectivity and extended battery life for off-grid applications across diverse hardware platforms.