IoT technologies at a glance
Which IoT technology is the best? Which LPWAN technology should we use in our project? These questions are not so easy to answer. All technologies have advantages. But to make decisions, you first need an overview of what each technology offers. We have created an overview of how each IoT technology looks from various aspects such as licensing, running cost items, vendor selection and coverage.
Network operator
The network operator is responsible for the network and ensures that faults are quickly rectified and that the connection works.
| LoRaWAN | Own network or with a public provider |
| NB-IoT | Telekom, Telefonica, Vodafone |
| LTE-M | Telco company |
| MIOTY | Own network |
| Sigfox | Sigfox |
| wMBUS | Own network |
| Modbus | Own network |
Private network
A private network is an own network that is not visible from the outside. Here you can find a list with which IoT technology this is possible and with which it is not.
| LoRaWAN | possible |
| NB-IoT | not possible |
| LTE-M | not possible |
| MIOTY | possible |
| Sigfox | not possible |
| wMBUS | possible |
| Modbus | possible |
License
Some IoT technologies are licensed, this license affects the total cost and must be considered.
| LoRaWAN | unlicensed |
| NB-IoT | licensed |
| LTE-M | licensed |
| MIOTY | unlicensed |
| Sigfox | unlicensed |
| wMBUS | unlicensed |
| Modbus | unlicensed |
Initial effort
Some IoT technologies are suitable for easy entry and other IoT technologies have a high initial outlay that only pays off later.
| LoRaWAN | moderate - high |
| NB-IoT | low - moderate |
| LTE-M | low - moderate |
| MIOTY | moderate - high |
| Sigfox | low - moderate |
| wMBUS | high |
| Modbus | low |
Items for running costs
In addition to license costs and initial costs, ongoing cost items are relevant when selecting IoT technology in an IoT project.
| LoRaWAN | SIM-Karte für Gateway mit Datenvolumen und/oder Kosten für LoRaWAN-Netzwerkserver |
| NB-IoT | mobile services |
| LTE-M | mobile services |
| MIOTY | data volume for sim card and/or costs for LoRaWAN network server (if applicable) |
| Sigfox | data volume |
| wMBUS | none |
| Modbus | none |
Manufacturer Gateways
The gateway is the central point in the IoT network that collects data from sensors and forwards it to the desired backend.
| LoRaWAN | e.g. Kerlink, Milesight, Wifx, Multitech, Browan, Dragino, Tektelic |
| NB-IoT | e.g. NSN, Alcatel Lucent, Ericsson, Motorola, Huawei |
| LTE-M | e.g. ZTE, Samsung, Airspan, Alcatel Lucent |
| MIOTY | e.g. WEBTECH, BEHRTECH, Swissphone |
| Sigfox | Sigfox |
| wMBUS | e.g. Lobaro, comtac, elvaco |
| Modbus | e.g. DIRIS & COUNTIS, SolarEdge, B&G, Orno |
Manufacturer End-Devices
A wide range of available end devices gives the IoT network the flexibility it needs. Whereby proprietary developments can be a good decision in individual cases.
| LoRaWAN | e.g. Sensoneo, Decentlab, Adeunis, Barani Design, Digital Matter, Dragino, Milesight |
| NB-IoT | e.g. Miromico, Sensoneo, Lobaro, Digital Matter |
| LTE-M | e.g. Sercomm, mcThings |
| MIOTY | e.g. Sentinum, Behrtech |
| Sigfox | e.g. Taqt, ATIM, Adeunis, Flowdaq |
| wMBUS | e.g. DZG, Elvaco |
| Modbus | e.g. Adeunis, WATTECO |
Frequency range Europe
The frequency range describes the range on which the respective technology transmits. Also the amateur radio has a defined range in which it sends radio signals, LPWAN technologies are usually on the same or very similar frequencies.
| LoRaWAN | 868 MHz |
| NB-IoT | 800 MHz and 900 MHz |
| LTE-M | 800 MHz |
| MIOTY | 868 MHz |
| Sigfox | 868 MHz |
| wMBUS | 868 MHz |
| Modbus | two-wire line with reverse polarity protection |
Channels
Data is transmitted over specified channels and their bandwidth is decisive for spatial signal variations.
| LoRaWAN | 3 - including the unspecified there are 8 |
| NB-IoT | unknown |
| LTE-M | - |
| MIOTY | 8 |
| Sigfox | 180 |
| wMBUS | 8 |
| Modbus | - |
Duty Cycle (period of data transmission)
The duty cycle describes the period of the previous hour that can be used for data transmission.
| LoRaWAN | 1% |
| NB-IoT | is defined by mobile network provider |
| LTE-M | is defined by mobile network provider |
| MIOTY | 1% |
| Sigfox | 1% |
| wMBUS | 1% |
| Modbus | - |
Range (without additional antenna)
The range shows how far the distance between two devices (usually sensor and gateway) may be to have a good data transmission.
| LoRaWAN | 2 - 10 km |
| NB-IoT | up to 20 km |
| LTE-M | up to 20 km |
| MIOTY | 2 - 10 km |
| Sigfox | 2 - 10 km |
| wMBUS | 100 m |
| Modbus | max. 125 m |
Max. Transmit power
The power of a transmitter in the radio is called transmit power.
| LoRaWAN | 14 dBm |
| NB-IoT | 23 dBm |
| LTE-M | 15 dBm |
| MIOTY | 14 dBm |
| Sigfox | 14 dBm |
| wMBUS | 14 dBm |
| Modbus | - |
Standardization according to OSI Layer
The OSI reference model for network protocols is a standard to describe communication over different technical systems.
| LoRaWAN | 1 - Semtech 2 - 5 - LoRa Alliance |
| NB-IoT | 1 - 5 |
| LTE-M | 1 - 5 |
| MIOTY | 1 - 7 - OMS |
| Sigfox | 1 - 4 |
| wMBUS | - |
| Modbus | 7 |
Distribution
The extent to which and where a technology is widespread provides information about how established a technology is and whether there is a large selection of hardware.
| LoRaWAN | Widespread worldwide; relatively large selection of manufacturers |
| NB-IoT | Widespread worldwide; few manufacturers |
| LTE-M | Widespread worldwide |
| MIOTY | Little distribution and manufacturers so far |
| Sigfox | > 60 free field covered; few manufacturers |
| wMBUS | Widespread worldwide, large selection of metering devices |
| Modbus | Widespread worldwide, large selection of metering devices |
Encryption
Data security has a high priority in IT infrastructure, of course it is no different in IoT infrastructure.
| LoRaWAN | yes |
| NB-IoT | yes |
| LTE-M | yes |
| MIOTY | yes |
| Sigfox | yes |
| wMBUS | yes |
| Modbus | no encryption |
Which IoT technology is suitable for you?
Our IoT experts will be happy to advise you on the advantages and disadvantages and put this in relation to your individual requirements. Because one thing is clear, there is not ONE technology that is the best. It is also possible to use several technologies to meet all requirements.