IoT Networks

When it comes to IoT, there's no one-size-fits-all network.

Even though you can manage all of them together on iotcreators.com, let’s take a look at their differences.

Get connected the way you need it

Different connectivity options cater to the various requirements and diverse use cases in the IoT industry.

Say hello to the most popular LPWA IoT networks

IoT networks come with varying degrees of accessibility, energy efficiency, price, quality, and security.

We will focus on the two most popular LPWA networks for IoT applications.

Cellular IoT
Cellular networks are run by network providers, are based on open global industry standards, and use a licensed spectrum.
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LoRaWAN
Open protocol by the LoRa alliance that uses unlicensed spectrum. Run by operators, privately or communities.
Learn more
Mobile IoT Network

Cellular IoT

Next to the well-known 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G cellular standards, the GSMA has introduced two additional LTE standards, NB-IoT and LTE-M. These are primarily designed for LPWA use cases.

GSM/UMTS (2G/3G)
2G and 3G are primarily intended for voice communication, but they also support SMS and GPRS data. Network based on 2G/3G are well-established, widely used standards with low-cost hardware. Many operators, however, are in the process of decommissioning those networks in favor of newer technologies.
LTE (4G/5G)
LTE was first introduced in 2012 as part of the 4G standard, which is primarily intended for improved scalability and wireless broadband. Although it does not have the same range as GSM, it has much higher data rates. The recent 5G standard has much higher bandwidth, allowing for high-speed communication and very low latency. It can be used in critical applications such as autonomous driving, as well as VR, AR, gaming, and any other use-cases that require a real-time response.
Mobile IoT (NB-IoT/LTE-M)
Mobile IoT refers to a set of cellular technologies (NB-IoT & LTE-M) that have been specifically optimized for IoT use. NB-IoT expands the technical possibilities to make large-scale IoT deployments economically feasible. LTE-M support IoT use cases with higher data rates and lower latency. NB-IoT and LTE-M complement each other and will help to advance technological development. Lower costs, lower power consumption, and better indoor coverage are some of the unique benefits of mobile IoT.

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT)

NB-IoT is a licensed protocol from the standards organization 3GPP that is available only through established mobile network operators using licensed RF spectrum.

Supported by the 3GPP and GSMA
Operates on licensed spectrum and is optimized for spectrum efficiency
Focus on improving indoor coverage and supporting a large number of devices
More about our NB-IoT network
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Battery-saving features

Features like eDRX and PSM improve the performance and efficiency of devices connected to the network. They allow devices to sleep for extended periods of time and minimize receiver activations.

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Coverage Enhancement

Increases the depth of radio coverage at the cost of higher power consumption to allow IoT devices to operate in areas where they would not otherwise be able to.

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Cheap modules

Low data rates require less processing power from chipsets, allowing for more cost-effective components. A number of LTE features have been removed in order to further reduce cost and complexity.

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LTE-M (LTE CAT-M)

LTE-M, also known as LTE Cat-M, is an LTE network extension. Because LTE-M runs on top of LTE base stations, network operators can implement it more easily as no dedicated hardware is required.

Great range
LTE-M can operate over a range of about 10-15km.
Power-saving features
The power-saving features, eDRX and PSM, are also compatible with devices that connect to LTE-M networks.
More bandwidth than NB-IoT
Higher data rates, mobility, and voice over the network are benefits over NB-IoT, but more bandwidth is needed.
More about our LTE-M network
Cellular IoT Comparison

Different needs – different options

Different technologies are required to meet the needs of the many and varied use cases in the IoT sector. For extremely or highly cost-sensitive applications with minimal performance requirements, NB-IoT is the best option (massive IoT). However, high-end applications requiring maximum performance, such as those requiring high data rates and extremely low latency, require regular LTE (critical IoT). LTE-M is a bridge between these two extremes. Even though it requires more bandwidth and data rates than NB-IoT, it has distinct advantages because it fulfills the promise of longer battery lifetimes and better indoor penetration. Most importantly, it is regarded as the primary 2G and 3G replacement technology.

LTE

Autonomous driving

Smart grid

Video surveilance

Low latency

Mobility

Indoor coverage

Voice/SMS

Data rate

Battery lifetime

Module cost saving

LTE-M

Health

Wearables

Security alarms

Low latency

Mobility

Indoor coverage

Voice/SMS

Data rate

Battery lifetime

Module cost saving

NB-IoT

Asset Tracking

Smart City

Condition Monitoring

Low latency

Mobility

Indoor coverage

Voice/SMS

Data rate

Battery lifetime

Module cost saving

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN is an open protocol that uses unlicensed spectrum to enable anyone to set up their own long-range networks at a low cost.

LoRa Alliance

LoRa Alliance

The LoRa Alliance collaborates and shares experiences in order to promote and drive the success of the LoRaWAN standard as an open global standard for secure, carrier-grade IoT LPWAN connectivity.
Chirp spread spectrum

Chirp spread spectrum

Uses spread spectrum modulation to spread the generated signal across a wide frequency band, with its frequency increasing and decreasing over time. As a result, the information being transferred is encoded.
Frequency bands

Frequency bands

LoRaWAN’s frequency range, bandwidth, and data rates are determined by the area or region in which it operates. In North America, LoRa operates on the 915 MHz band, while in Europe, it operates on the 868 MHz band.

Comparison cellular IoT and LoRaWAN

Mobile IoT

Run by operators on (existing) network infrastructure
Licenced spectrum
Higher data rates and moderate latency
LTE security mechanisms on SIM and network level
Battery life 5-10+ years (connection type + saving modes)
Internationally available on same bands

LoRaWAN

Can be run by operators, privately or by communities
Unlicenced spectrum
Low data rates and higher latency
Security protocols limited to the application level
Long battery life of usually 10+ years
Can be deployed where mobile IoT is not available

Let's get technical

Here you can find a more detailed comparison on a technical level between the different IoT networks

LTE

LTE-M

NB-IoT

LoRa

Sigfox

Spectrum

Licensed

Licensed

Licensed

Unlicensed

Unlicensed

Bandwidth

20 MHz

1.4 MHz

180 kHz

125 – 500 kHz

200 kHz

Bidirectional Data Transfer

Full duplex

Half duplex & full duplex

Licensed

Unlicensed

Unlicensed

Peak Data Rate

10 Mbps (DL) 5 Mbps (UL)

1 Mbps (DL) 1 Mbps (UL)

250 Kbps (DL) 230 Kbps (UL)

50 Kbps (DL) 50 Kbps (UL)

0.6 Kbps (DL) 0.1 Kbps (UL)

Typical Daily Throughput

Limited only by battery, radio signaling condition and commercial terms (e.g., monhtly data volume, amount of messages/size per period)

~ 200 B (DL)

~ 200 kB (UL)

~ 24 B (DL)

1.64 kB (UL)

Max. Coupling Loss (vs. GSM)

144 dB (0 dB)

156dB (+12 dB)

164 dB (+20 dB)

157 dB (+13 dB)

153 dB (+9 dB)

Module Cost

> $ 10

< $ 10

< $ 5

< $ 7

< $ 3

Battery Lifetime

3 – 5 years

5 – 10 years

10+ years

10+ years

10+ years