What is LPWAN?
LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) is a wireless technology that connects devices over long distances while using very little energy. This technology helps machines and sensors share data across cities, farms, or factories without frequent battery changes.
Unlike traditional Wi-Fi or cellular networks, LPWAN works best for simple devices that send small amounts of data. It works well in hard-to-reach areas like underground pipes, rural fields, or tall buildings.
How LPWAN Works?
Low Power Wide Area Network connects devices like sensors and meters over long distances using radio waves. These networks focus on saving battery power and covering large areas. Devices send small data packets (e.g., “Temperature: 25°C”) directly to a central gateway in a star-shaped layout, avoiding complex connections between devices. To save energy, they transmit for less than one second and stay inactive 99% of the time, waking up only when needed or on a fixed schedule (e.g., once per hour).
LPWAN achieves long-range coverage (10-40 km in rural areas) by using special radio techniques. Some systems spread signals across multiple frequencies (LoRaWAN), while others use narrow slices of radio waves (NB-IoT). A single gateway can support thousands of devices, like water meters or farm sensors, for 5-10 years on small batteries. Unlike Wi-Fi or cellular networks, Low Power Wide Area Network is ideal for simple IoT tasks like tracking assets or monitoring environments.
Types of LPWAN Technologies
LoRaWAN
LoRaWAN is a widely adopted open-standard LPWAN technology using LoRa modulation for long-range, low-power communication. It operates in unlicensed spectrum bands, making it cost-effective for private deployments in rural or remote areas, such as agriculture or environmental monitoring. Key advantages include exceptional coverage (up to 15 km in rural settings), ultra-low energy consumption, and a flexible, decentralized network architecture. However, its limited data rates (0.3–50 kbps), susceptibility to interference in crowded unlicensed bands, and lack of native end-to-end encryption can restrict scalability and security in dense urban or mission-critical applications.
NB-IoT
NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is a cellular LPWAN standard developed by 3GPP, operating in licensed spectrum for reliable, secure connectivity. Designed for stationary, low-data devices like smart meters or utility monitoring, it offers deep indoor penetration, strong QoS guarantees, and seamless integration with existing cellular infrastructure. While it provides higher reliability and security compared to unlicensed alternatives, NB-IoT devices incur moderate costs, depend on carrier networks, and lack support for mobility or high-speed data, making them less suited for mobile or real-time applications.
LTE-M
LTE-M (LTE Cat-M1), another 3GPP cellular technology, balances higher data rates (~1 Mbps) with low power consumption, ideal for mobile IoT use cases like asset tracking or wearables. It supports features such as voice communication, tower handover, and firmware updates over-the-air (FOTA), all while leveraging existing LTE networks. Though more power-efficient than traditional LTE, it consumes more energy than NB-IoT or LoRaWAN and requires consistent cellular coverage, limiting its viability in remote areas. Costs are also higher than non-cellular LPWAN options, but its versatility suits urban IoT deployments.
SIGFOX
SIGFOX employs ultra-narrowband technology in unlicensed spectrum to enable ultra-low-cost, low-complexity devices for applications like alarm systems or simple sensors. Its lightweight protocol transmits tiny payloads (up to 12 bytes/day) over long ranges, achieving years of battery life with minimal hardware requirements. However, SIGFOX’s limited bidirectional communication, reliance on a proprietary global network, and sporadic regional coverage (due to operator dependencies) restrict its use to basic, infrequent data transmissions. Competition from open standards like LoRaWAN and cellular LPWAN further challenges its long-term adoption in diverse IoT ecosystems.
The Advantages of LPWAN
Large Coverage
LPWAN systems achieve ranges of 10-40 km in rural areas and 2-5 km in cities using a single gateway, outperforming Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Signals penetrate dense urban structures, underground locations, and remote farmland, enabling connectivity for devices like soil sensors in agriculture or utility meters in basements.
High Energy Efficiency
Devices operate on small batteries for 5-10 years by transmitting data in <1-second bursts and staying inactive 99% of the time. This “sleep mode” design eliminates frequent battery replacements, making this technology ideal for hard-to-access installations like offshore sensors or streetlights.
Low Cost
It reduces expenses with 3−5 years per-device connectivity fees and sub-$10 hardware. Its lightweight data protocols minimize cloud storage needs, while open standards like LoRaWAN avoid vendor lock-in. Deploying a private network costs 70% less than cellular alternatives, with no SIM cards or spectrum licensing fees.
Convenient Deployment
Gateways install on existing towers, rooftops, or lampposts without complex infrastructure. Pre-certified its modules allow plug-and-play integration with IoT sensors, and networks scale effortlessly—a single gateway supports 10,000+ devices. Farmers, factories, and cities can launch pilot projects in days, not months.
Some Drawbacks of LPWAN
Security Issues
The systems using unlicensed spectrum (e.g., LoRaWAN, Sigfox) risk data interception or spoofing attacks due to open radio frequencies. While protocols like LoRaWAN support AES-128 encryption, many deployments disable it by default to save power, leaving devices vulnerable to fake commands. Cellular-based LPWAN (NB-IoT, LTE-M) relies on carrier security but still faces risks like SIM card cloning, as seen in a 2019 global IoT botnet attack.
Limited Data Transmission Rate
LPWAN prioritizes efficiency over speed, capping data rates at 100 bps (Sigfox) to 50 kbps (LoRaWAN). A Sigfox device, for example, can only send 140 messages daily (12 bytes each), making it unsuitable for real-time alerts or multi-sensor systems. This restricts use cases to basic telemetry, excluding live audio/video feeds or complex industrial automation.
Not Suitable for High Bandwidth Requirements
Designed for tiny data packets, Low Power Wide Area Network struggles with frequent or large transmissions. Sending a 1MB file (e.g., a firmware update) would take 4 hours on NB-IoT (50 kbps) versus 1 second on 5G. High-bandwidth IoT applications like drone surveillance or 4K security cameras require Wi-Fi 6 or cellular networks instead.
Applications of LPWAN
Smart Healthcare
It enables remote patient monitoring by securely transmitting vital health data from wearable devices and medical sensors to healthcare providers. Its low power consumption supports long-term operation of implantable devices and emergency alert systems, ensuring continuous care for chronic conditions and elderly patients without frequent battery replacements.
Smart Agriculture
LPWAN optimizes crop management through real-time monitoring of soil conditions, weather patterns, and irrigation systems. Farmers leverage its wide coverage to track livestock and automate greenhouse controls across expansive rural areas, reducing water waste and improving yield without relying on cellular infrastructure.
Industry IoT
Manufacturing facilities adopt LPWAN for predictive maintenance of machinery, environmental monitoring, and asset tracking. The technology withstands harsh industrial environments while connecting thousands of sensors to detect equipment failures, manage energy usage, and streamline supply chain logistics at minimal operational costs.
Smart Cities
LPWAN drives urban efficiency by connecting infrastructure like smart streetlights, waste management systems, and utility meters. Municipalities deploy it to monitor air quality, control traffic signals, and detect water leaks citywide, enabling data-driven decisions that cut costs and enhance public services.
Human Monitoring
In high-risk occupations, LPWAN ensures worker safety by transmitting real-time biometric data and environmental hazards from wearable devices. Its penetration through dense materials allows reliable communication in construction zones, mines, and disaster sites, triggering instant alerts for falls, toxic exposure, or emergencies.
Alternative to 2G/3G Network: LPWAN
As telecom providers phase out aging 2G/3G networks to prioritize 5G rollout, LPWAN technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M (CAT-M1) emerge as cost-effective successors tailored for IoT needs. These next-gen networks address 2G/3G’s critical shortcomings – excessive power consumption, limited device density, and rising operational costs – while retaining nationwide cellular coverage.
NB-IoT matches 2G’s range but slashes power use by 90%, enabling decade-long battery life for utility meters or asset trackers. LTE-M supports voice and mobility for applications like emergency call boxes or fleet monitoring, unlike static 3G devices. Both technologies operate on modern 4G/5G infrastructure, ensuring compliance with global network sunset timelines.
Migrating to LPWAN cuts connectivity costs by 60-80% compared to legacy 3G solutions, with streamlined protocols reducing data overhead. Early adopters future-proof deployments while accessing advanced features like over-the-air updates and cloud-native security. Proactive upgrades minimize service disruptions as carriers like AT&T and Vodafone accelerate 2G/3G shutdowns through 2025.
The Brief History of LPWAN
Emerging in the late 2000s as a response to IoT’s need for low-cost, long-range connectivity, LPWAN evolved from early precursors like 1980s alarm networks. Sigfox pioneered modern LPWAN in 2009 with ultra-narrowband technology, while the 2015 LoRaWAN standard enabled open-source, license-free deployments. Cellular variants NB-IoT and LTE-M (2016) leveraged telecom infrastructure, driving China’s NB-IoT dominance and Western LTE-M adoption. Post-2020, hybrid networks and satellite integrations expanded coverage, replacing phased-out 2G/3G systems. Despite early players like Sigfox declining, LPWAN now supports 1.3 billion devices, with NB-IoT and LoRa leading toward a projected 3 billion connections by 2027.
The Future of LPWAN
LPWAN is projected to reach 3 billion connections by 2027, with NB-IoT maintaining dominance (58% share) and LoRa sustaining relevance in non-cellular ecosystems46. Challenges remain in balancing scalability, security, and evolving IoT demands, but LPWAN’s role in enabling smart cities, Industry 4.0, and sustainability ensures its enduring impact.
Q&A
What is the difference between LPWAN and LoRaWAN?
LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) is a broad category of wireless technologies designed for long-range, low-power IoT connectivity. LoRaWAN is a specific LPWAN protocol that uses the LoRa modulation technique and operates on unlicensed radio spectrum. While LPWAN includes multiple standards like NB-IoT, LTE-M, and Sigfox, LoRaWAN stands out for its open-source architecture, enabling private network deployments without cellular carrier dependencies. Key differences include coverage, spectrum and cost.
Is Wi-Fi a LPWAN technology?
No, Wi-Fi is not an LPWAN technology. While both are wireless communication methods, they serve fundamentally different purposes.
What is the data rate of LPWAN?
LPWAN can accommodate data packet sizes typically from 10 to 1000 bytes at uplink speeds up to 200 Kbps.
What is the frequency of LPWAN?
868MHz or 902MHz
Chat now