Quick guide to IoT connectivity
Seven questions to help you choose the right network technology. Reliable connectivity is essential for any IoT deployment. The right network simplifies implementation, reduces maintenance, and lowers total cost of ownership. But weighing the trade-offs between available technologies for a specific use case can be challenging. Ideally, every deployment would have maximum range, excellent indoor coverage, high bandwidth, and minimal power consumption. In reality, no single network technology delivers all of these at once. We've defined seven questions to help you choose the right approach for your use case.
Guide: Seven strengths and weaknesses of IoT technologies
Different network technologies have different strengths and advantages. NB-IoT and LTE-M offer low module costs, excellent indoor coverage, and long battery life. However, neither NB-IoT nor LTE can match 4G/LTE and 5G when it comes to mobility, data speeds, and latency. Determine which technology is best for you by evaluating your needs across seven key areas:
Will the device be placed deep indoors or underground?
Do you need a battery-efficient option with long lifespan?
Does mobility matter?
How much data will be used?
Do you need low latency and fast response times?
Is the project price-sensitive?
Does the device need to support SMS and voice?
NB-IoT
NB-IoT is ideal for stationary use cases that require high reliability in challenging conditions. The technology works best when the focus is on extreme efficiency. NB-IoT was designed to transmit small amounts of data, such as scheduled sensor readings. The lower data rates are offset by its longer range, excellent underground and indoor coverage, and the ability to deliver up to ten years of battery life.
Use cases suited for NB-IoT:
Environmental monitoring
Agricultural monitoring
Water metering
Gas metering
Electricity metering
Waste management
Smart buildings
Smoke and fire detectors
LTE-M
LTE-M is likely the closest replacement for both 2G and 3G, but far more flexible. LTE-M strikes a good balance between performance and efficiency, making it a strong choice for many IoT applications and use cases.
With LTE-M, you can both send and receive moderate amounts of data – more than with 2G and 3G. This enables data collection and more data-intensive operations like over-the-air (OTA) updates.
LTE-M also offers strong support for mobile IoT applications and voice/VoLTE-M, while still delivering long battery life. Use cases suited for LTE-M:
Smart buildings
Smart cities
Wearables
Retail POS (Point of Sale)
Maintenance monitoring
Payment terminals
Security and safety alarms
Traffic monitoring cameras
4G/LTE
4G, also known as LTE, is better suited for applications that require high capacity. The network powers most of our daily smartphone usage and is the better choice for more advanced use cases and devices. 4G was designed to handle data-intensive applications, such as streaming or real-time monitoring, where fast upload and download of large amounts of data is needed. While the network offers full mobility, voice/VoLTE, and SMS, it's most useful for situations where battery charging isn't a concern. Use cases suited for 4G/LTE
Transportation
Connected homes
Digital signage
Remote health monitoring
Video security
Industrial sensors
5G
5G may not be a direct replacement for 2G/3G. But new network technologies like Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) will take IoT to new levels. 5G will support new use cases that require next-generation performance, security, and reliability. Designed to connect everything, it will also offer exceptional opportunities for tailored connectivity. Use cases suited for 5G
Autonomous vehicles
Industry 4.0
Remote surgery
Remote vehicle control
Virtual and augmented reality
(VR and AR)
Ultra HD video
In-car infotainment
Also read Guide to massive IoT: NB-IoT and LTE-M:
How Low Power Wide Area works
Telia Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) is connectivity based on two 5G technologies: NB-IoT and LTE-M. Read the guide on our English sister site.