For a long time, the usage of IoT devices had to be restricted to locations that offered Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity options. But Cellular IoT, also known as Mobile IoT, has effectively broken this mold, facilitating the exciting next-generation development of all things IoT. Here’s what you need to know about the relevance of cellular IoT technology in today’s environment, its benefits, application use-cases, and the current options if you’re considering wireless technology.
Why Should You Care About Cellular IoT Technologies
The IoT Analytics State of IoT: Spring 2022 report predicts that the number of active connections on the IoT market will hit 14.4 billion this year, expanding to a further 27 billion in 2025 as "supply constraints ease and growth further accelerates." It illustrates how businesses and consumers around the globe have been quick to cash in on the advantages of expanding their connectivity and getting plugged into the IoT.
Companies serious about expanding their global footprint should get in on the cellular IoT bandwagon to reap early-mover advantages and get a head start over competitors. It could mean the difference between being relevant and trailing far behind.
Benefits of Cellular Connectivity Through IoT
Cellular connections through IoT offer many distinct advantages, and we can expect its application to become more widespread with further development over the next few years.
Cellular Networks Have More Extensive Coverage
This benefit is a no-brainer when you consider that IoT networks are essentially piggy-backing off existing mobile networks. These existing networks already have coverage both on domestic and international levels, which means that users benefit from coverage wherever they are in the world. But unlike traditional networks, cellular networks can offer immediate available, uninterruptable, and constant connectivity.
This Type of Connection Has Significant Cost Savings
The good news is much of the infrastructure required for IoT network technology, such as cellular towers and base stations, is already in place. Therefore businesses and consumers can expect the development to translate into significant cost savings. The NB-IoT, which has a simpler waveform, also offers reduced power consumption and additional cost savings as the chips themselves are relatively easy to produce.
Cellular IoT Devices Have Secure Connections
It's only natural that cellular connectivity's explosive growth should open up a Pandora's Box of security concerns. But cellular technology is inherently "secure by design." The data is encrypted and user information is securely held. Cellular connections transmitted over private networks such as VPNs, IPNs, and IPsec ensure additional layers of security. The following best practices can help users supplement their levels of security:
- Check for compliance of IoT devices against nationally recognized guidelines or look for a credible IoT security certification.
- Make use of 5G, which has more security controls, especially for IoT applications. 5G network splicing can also help to isolate logical networks in addition to what's already provided by private networks.
- House sensitive and critical data or applications on the cloud and use cloud security controls.
- Implement security controls for your IoT devices to track and subvert malicious activity.
The Ability to Manage Things Remotely
With the help of an online IoT platform, you can easily centralize the management of your operations and even troubleshoot your connected devices from a remote location regardless of where you are in the world. Needless to say, the deployment of IoT access technologies for industrial applications can minimize downtime through active monitoring and preemptively alert service providers before challenges start to add up in terms of complexity or costs.
Smart Agriculture
The applications of cellular connection platforms working through IoT are practically limitless in the world of smart agriculture. Here are just a few:
- Use IoT sensors connected to a cellular network to actively monitor the health and growth of crops. Manage light levels, temperature, humidity, and pressure remotely using connected devices.
- Use drones to collect different types of images such as thermal or visual imaging from the ground and have them transmitted using mobile IoT and IoT cellular connectivity. The images and data collected can help farmers assess their crops, engage in soil and field analysis, and monitor irrigation, spraying, and planting practices.
Smart Cities
Conceptually in a smart city, big data collected from multiple sources is analyzed, and the insights intelligently applied to improve the lives of the people who live in it. Communication occurs primarily between computers, mobile devices, smart devices inside homes and offices, and a network of cameras and sensors covering the city limits. All the hardware, including cellular devices, are connected through an IoT network.
Decreasing traffic congestion by utilizing data from traffic lights and connected cars, automatic scheduling of pickup services by smart garbage cans when they're full, support with locating the nearest available parking space, and more are some of many use-cases in smart cities.
Your Options for Wireless Technology
There are a few different options to consider if you’re thinking about deploying wireless technological solutions connected through the IoT.
- LPWANs (Low Power Wide Area Networks): These are great for long-range communication, and they work well with small, affordable batteries that have a long battery life. But given that they transmit data in small packets at a low rate, they are ideal for solutions that aren’t time-sensitive or need a high bandwidth, such as smart meters for water.
- Cellular (3G/4G/5G): Cellular offers great bandwidth with established mobile network operators. But they do have higher power requirements (unless used in combination with technology like Cat-M1) and can be costly from an operational perspective. They are ideal for connected cars and smart fleet management at this point. Still, through further development with 5G, we can expect the application to extend further afield into healthcare and industrial automation.
- Zigbee/Mesh Protocols: Zigbee and other mesh protocols like Z-Wave and Thread have a short-range and low power consumption. They’re used to complement as opposed to replace standard Wi-Fi for home IoT applications like smart lighting and home security.
- Bluetooth and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy): WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network), Bluetooth, and BLE are perfect for small-scale consumer IoT applications such as smartwatches, wearables, and home security systems. They’re great for short-range communication and don’t consume a lot of power.
- Wi-Fi: Unfortunately, Wi-Fi is not the best in terms of IoT connectivity and has limitations in terms of coverage, ease of scaling, and power requirements. It’s best utilized for gadgets that can be physically connected to power sources, such as security cameras and other smart home devices.
- RFID: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to transmit small amounts of data to a data reader that’s positioned within a very short distance. So far, it’s found significant use cases in the retail and logistics industries.
- LoRaWAN: LoRaWAN is an emerging tech similar to Bluetooth, except that it offers a longer range. Unlike LPWAN, it requires a gateway to transfer data to the cloud.
Determine individual needs and requirements before deciding on one or a combination of different wireless solutions.
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