For data users
A new layer of rainfall observation is emerging — enabled by existing telecom networks that already cover the world.
Microwave link attenuation data can be converted into near-ground rainfall observations. Dense, real-time, and available where rain gauges and radar often are not. SetGMDI is building the infrastructure to make this data accessible.
Why microwave link data?
- Dense coverage, especially in cities and data-sparse regions
- Real-time, continuous, no new hardware required
- Complements radar and rain gauges rather than replacing them
- Global potential — millions of links already deployed worldwide
What is being developed
- Gridded rainfall products for broad distribution
- Area-averaged estimates for catchments and municipalities
- Rainfall time series for individual link paths
- Weather-aware analytics combining rainfall with network data
Access will be tiered — aggregated products as openly as possible, detailed products under data sharing agreements. We are currently seeking early collaborators from meteorological services and operational users to help validate and apply the data.
First results will be presented at our June 2025 stakeholder event — open to met offices, water industry, researchers, WMO, and ITU.
SetGMDI
Workshop
22 June 2026,
the Netherlands
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Factsheet
for data users