LPWAN in 2025: LTE-M vs NB-IoT vs LoRaWAN vs Sigfox

With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, connections between individuals and devices that were once difficult to achieve have now become a reality. For short-range connectivity, we can utilize technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, while long-range connectivity options include cellular networks like 2G, 3G, and 4G.

However, when considering the power consumption and coverage range of these wireless technologies, there remains a scarcity of low-power, long-range connectivity options. LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology fills this market gap, making it particularly suitable for applications that require long-range communication while demanding low power consumption. It addresses the limitations we face in wireless communication choices, compensating for the shortcomings of short battery life and the lack of long-distance transmission methods.

What is LPWAN?

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) refers to a class of wireless communication technologies designed specifically for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. These networks are optimized for low power consumption, wide coverage, and long battery life. LPWAN technologies enable connectivity for devices that need to transmit small amounts of data over long distances, typically in scenarios where traditional cellular or short-range wireless technologies are not suitable.

Figure: What is LPWAN

The core advantage of LPWAN lies in its ability to support large numbers of low-cost, low-power devices across vast areas. These networks operate with low data rates, which is ideal for IoT applications where devices transmit small packets of data at intermittent intervals. Examples of such applications include environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, asset tracking, and utility metering.

Classification of LPWAN Technologies

LPWAN technologies can be broadly categorized into two main groups:

1. Licensed Spectrum Technologies (Cellular LPWAN):

Figure: What is Cellular LPWAN

These operate on licensed cellular bands and adhere to 3GPP standards. They offer better reliability and Quality of Service (QoS) but may involve higher costs. Examples include:

• EC-GSM-IoT
• LTE-M (also known as LTE Cat-M1 or eMTC)
• NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT)

2. Unlicensed Spectrum Technologies (Non-cellular LPWAN):

Figure: What is Non-cellular LPWAN

These operate in the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency bands. The main advantages of these technologies include lower operational costs and the ability to deploy private networks. Examples include:

• LoRaWAN
• Sigfox
• Weightless
• Symphony Link

Figure: Common LPWAN Technologies

Let's compare four prominent LPWAN technologies: NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRaWAN, and Sigfox.

The market share and regional suitability of LTE-M, NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, and Sigfox technologies vary significantly based on their technical characteristics, deployment status, and regional adoption trends. Here's a detailed comparison:

Market Share

NB-IoT:

• Globally, NB-IoT has significant adoption in China, accounting for 84% of its connections. Outside China, it holds a smaller but growing share (20% in 2023, projected to reach 23% by 2027).
• It is preferred in regions with extensive GSM deployments and is supported in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

LTE-M:

• LTE-M holds a 32% market share outside of China in the LPWAN sector as of 2023.
• It is widely adopted in North America, Europe, and Australia due to its compatibility with existing LTE networks and support for mobility and roaming.

LoRaWAN:

• LoRaWAN is currently the global market leader in Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) outside of China, with a 40% market share as of 2023. This is expected to converge with LTE-M by 2027, with both technologies holding around 35% market share globally.
• Its growth is driven by applications in smart agriculture, asset tracking, and industrial IoT.

Sigfox:

• Sigfox has a smaller market share compared to the other technologies but operates in over 70 countries with coverage for approximately 95% of the population in these areas.
• It is particularly popular for cost-sensitive applications requiring ultra-low power consumption.

Regional Suitability

Each technology's suitability depends on regional infrastructure and application needs:

NB-IoT:

• Dominates in China due to extensive government support and infrastructure.
• Suitable for Asia-Pacific countries focusing on smart city initiatives and industrial IoT. Also prevalent in Europe and parts of the Middle East.

LTE-M:

• Best suited for North America, Europe, and Australia where LTE infrastructure is robust.
• Ideal for applications requiring mobility (e.g., asset tracking) and low latency (e.g., healthcare IoT).

LoRaWAN:

• Strong presence in North America and Europe due to its open ecosystem.
• Growing adoption in Asia-Pacific for smart agriculture and urban IoT projects.

Sigfox:

• Operates globally but has stronger adoption in Europe (e.g., France, Spain) and select countries like Japan, Australia, and Brazil.
• Suitable for ultra-low-cost IoT deployments such as environmental monitoring or asset tracking.

Applications of LPWAN Technologies

Each LPWAN technology has its strengths, making it suitable for specific applications:

NB-IoT Applications

Figure: NB-IoT Smart Meter

NB-IoT is particularly well-suited for applications in dense urban environments that require low bandwidth and can tolerate higher latency. Some key applications include:

• Smart Buildings: HVAC control, smart locks management, and connected lighting systems.
• Smart Cities: Connected streetlights and grids, optimizing energy distribution for urban infrastructure.
• Utility Metering: Smart water, gas, and electricity meters.
• Environmental Monitoring: Air quality sensors and weather stations.

LTE-M Applications

Figure: LTE-M Fleet Management

LTE-M offers higher data rates and lower latency compared to NB-IoT, making it suitable for applications that require more frequent data transmissions or real-time communication. Applications include:

• Industrial IoT (IIoT): Machine monitoring for fault detection and predictive maintenance.
• Fleet Management: Real-time tracking and diagnostics for vehicles.
• Wearable Medical Devices: Remote patient monitoring and emergency alert systems.
• Asset Tracking: High-value asset monitoring with real-time location updates.

LoRaWAN Applications

Figure: LoRaWAN Smart Agriculture

LoRaWAN's long range and low power consumption make it ideal for large-scale deployments in both urban and rural areas. Common applications include:

• Smart Agriculture: Soil moisture monitoring, livestock tracking, and crop management.
• Smart Cities: Waste management, parking space monitoring, and public transportation tracking.
• Supply Chain and Logistics: Tracking of goods and containers across long distances.
• Environmental Monitoring: Forest fire detection, water level monitoring in rivers and reservoirs.

Sigfox Applications

Figure: Sigfox Asset Tracking

Sigfox's ultra-narrow band technology allows for very long-range communication with extremely low power consumption. It's particularly suited for:

• Simple Sensor Networks: Temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors for various industries.
• Asset Tracking: Low-cost, long-battery-life trackers for non-time-critical assets.
• Smart Agriculture: Monitoring of remote farmlands and livestock.
• Utility Metering: Basic meter reading in areas where other technologies might struggle to reach.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As we look towards 2025, the LPWAN landscape is expected to continue evolving. Each technology - NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRaWAN, and Sigfox - has carved out its niche in the IoT ecosystem, and this specialization is likely to continue.

NB-IoT and LTE-M, backed by the cellular industry, are poised to benefit from the ongoing rollout of 5G networks. This could lead to improved coverage, capacity, and potentially lower operational costs. These technologies will likely dominate in applications requiring wide-area coverage and integration with existing cellular infrastructure.

LoRaWAN, with its ability to support private networks, is expected to remain popular for enterprise and industrial IoT applications. Its open standard nature and growing ecosystem could drive further innovation and adoption in sectors like smart cities and agriculture.

Sigfox, despite facing some challenges, may continue to find applications in ultra-low-power, long-range scenarios where minimal data transmission is sufficient.

The choice between these technologies will increasingly depend on specific use case requirements, including factors like power consumption, data rate, latency, coverage, and cost. We may also see more hybrid solutions emerging, combining different LPWAN technologies to leverage their respective strengths.

As IoT continues to grow and evolve, LPWAN technologies will play a crucial role in connecting billions of devices. The focus will likely shift from comparing individual technologies to creating seamless, interoperable IoT ecosystems that can leverage the strengths of each LPWAN solution.

In conclusion, while competition between these technologies will continue, the real winner will be the IoT industry as a whole, benefiting from a diverse range of connectivity options to support an ever-expanding array of applications and use cases.

References

[1] LPWAN (Low-power wide-area network) https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/LPWAN

[2] Different LPWAN Technologies Explained - Velos IoT Blog https://blog.velosiot.com/different-lpwan-technologies-explained

[3] Comparing LPWAN connectivity technologies - AWS Documentation https://docs.aws.amazon.com/whitepapers/latest/implementing-lpwan-solutions-with-aws/comparing-lpwan-connectivity-technologies.html

[4] NB-IoT vs LTE-M vs LoRaWAN vs Sigfox - InfiSIM https://infisim.com/blog/nb-iot-vs-lte-m

[5] What is LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network)? - Digi International https://www.digi.com/resources/definitions/lpwan

[6] Where are LPWAN protocols used? - 5G Technology World https://www.5gtechnologyworld.com/where-are-lpwan-protocols-used/