Semtech recently announced a partnership with Digital Barriers to deliver a fully integrated device-to-cloud cellular video solution, Semtech Video Compression that is purpose-built for critical video surveillance and analytics.
In a separate announcement, Semtech’s LoRa technology will continue to serve as the core radio modulation for Amazon Sidewalk across all markets in this year’s Sidewalk international expansion. Semtech is a provider of high-performance semiconductor, Internet of Things (IoT) systems and cloud connectivity service solutions.
For their turnkey solution with Digital Barriers, the partnerships involved integrating EdgeVis AI-powered video compression into Semtech’s AirLink XR60 5G router, paired with the company’s multi-carrier global Smart Connectivity services. It enables applications requiring live video transmission over cellular networks— including remote security surveillance, traffic monitoring and critical infrastructure monitoring— transforming how organizations manage operations in remote and challenging environments.
Semtech’s Rupa Datta Comments
Rupa Datta, vice president of connected services at Semtech, said the Digital Barriers deal represents a significant expansion of Semtech’s connectivity value proposition.
“By integrating AI-powered video compression into our Connected Services offerings, we’re not just enabling customers to manage bandwidth costs—we’re enabling critical use cases for video streaming applications that weren’t economically viable before,” said Datta in a statement. “Our multi-carrier approach combined with AI-powered compression gives customers both the cost predictability and network reliability that traditional MNO solutions simply cannot match.”
Overcoming Streaming Issues
Cellular video streaming has long faced critical barriers: maintaining video quality requires high bandwidth, making transmission costs prohibitive. Traditional deployments also require businesses to source routers from one supplier, compression software from another and cellular connectivity from at least two carriers to enable coverage—creating integration challenges, extended deployment timelines and multiple support relationships. These obstacles have forced many organizations to compromise video quality, abandon cellular video applications, or severely limit their deployments.
Semtech Video Compression eliminates these challenges by integrating the key components into a single managed offering:
- EdgeVis Encoder applies Digital Barriers’ AI-powered compression at the edge—reducing bandwidth by up to 90% while maintaining video quality for analytics and evidentiary purposes;
- AirLink XR60 5G Router provides ruggedized edge-compute capability to host the EdgeVis Encoder, eliminating the need for separate video servers;
- Smart Connectivity multi-IMSI SIM provides reliable cellular connection with automatic failover across 600+ partner networks worldwide with no throttling. The connectivity service is delivered at a predictable monthly fee; and
- AirVantage Platform provides unified router and connectivity lifecycle management, and access to the videos. Users get oversight across all locations, dramatically simplifying operations while enabling organizations to scale from pilot deployments to enterprise-wide installations.
“Our EdgeVis AI compression technology represents a breakthrough in video transmission efficiency,” said Clive Sawkins, CEO at Digital Barriers. “By intelligently analyzing video content in real-time and applying advanced AI algorithms, we can achieve up to 90% bandwidth reduction while preserving the critical visual details that surveillance and monitoring applications require. This integration with Semtech brings our cutting-edge compression technology to a broader market through their proven cellular connectivity platform.”
Powering Amazon Sidewalk’s Global Expansion
In a separate announcement, Semtech’s LoRa technology will continue to serve as the core radio modulation for Amazon Sidewalk across all markets in this year’s Sidewalk international expansion.
Amazon Sidewalk, a wireless community network that operates at no charge to customers that helps devices work better and stay connected beyond home Wi-Fi range, currently covers approximately 95% of the U.S. population. The expanded collaboration comes as Ring plans to launch its Amazon Sidewalk network globally in 2026. The rollout began in Canada and Mexico, with expansion plans to other regions later this year.
Since 2023, Amazon has chosen LoRa as the long-range connectivity solution for Amazon Sidewalk, enabling IoT sensors to operate beyond individual residences and to connect both stationary and mobile devices throughout neighborhoods. This technology transforms Amazon Sidewalk from a Local Area Network into a Wide Area Network, enhances network coverage and plays a key role in enabling the multi-continent expansion.
Amazon Sidewalk represents one of the largest consumer-facing LoRa deployments globally, joining the extensive industrial and enterprise LoRaWAN networks that have established LoRa as the market leader in low-power wide-area connectivity.
Driving Ring Expansion
“Amazon’s embrace of LoRa as the core connectivity technology for Sidewalk validates our vision of enabling the Internet of Things through proven, scalable wireless connectivity,” said Madhu Rayabhari, senior vice president and general manager, analog mixed signal and wireless products group at Semtech. “As Sidewalk scales to serve tens of millions of devices globally, LoRa’s unique combination of long-range connectivity, ultra-low power consumption and proven network scalability makes it a great foundation for community IoT networks that deliver real value to consumers.”
Ring showcased its expanded product portfolio using LoRa at CES 2026, introducing comprehensive sensor families for security, safety and home automation. These products join the growing network of devices powered on Sidewalk, including water leak and freeze detection sensors, wearable devices and environmental monitoring solutions, all leveraging the connectivity advantages of LoRa.
The Sidewalk network’s architecture—combining LoRa for long-range communication with Bluetooth Low Energy for device setup—creates a IoT infrastructure that can scale to support millions of devices while maintaining the ultra-low power consumption critical for battery-operated sensors and cameras.