Smart Street Lighting – Cellular vs LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN

• LoRaWAN network can exchange small amount of data packages between LoRA Gateways and Devices over a range of 5-10 km.
• A clear line of sight is necessary between Gateways and Devices.
• LoRa Gateways can connect over 1000 devices. However, the LoRa Gateways often act as a single point-of-failure. Entire network gets down, when a Gateway fails.

Cellular IoT

• Cellular communication network is often referred to as IoT (internet of things) communication when used by smart devices.
• Cellular IoT network can exchange medium-to-very high amounts of data on real-time basis between the local Cellphone towers and the Devices.
• Options include: LTE CAT M1, NB-IoT, LTE CAT 1 (4G) or GSM / EGPRS (2G/ 3G). Device selects the most suitable network based on the availability from the local telecom operators.

LoRaWAN

LoRA is designed for low bandwidth, high latency.
It is suitable for applications such as:

• Connecting objects that do not need frequent data or real-time connectivity. And runs on battery. For example, checking if the waste/ garbage bins are full or empty, collecting environmental data in remote regions, and monitoring agricultural sensors.
• Remote reading of smart meters (electrical, gas, water)
• Several million devices use LoRaWAN today, especially consumer and professional applications. However, the adoption rate of LoRa in public critical infrastructure (such as traffic lights, water pumps, ATM, etc) is low.

Cellular IoT

• Cellular IoT offers medium/ very high bandwidth, low latency (fast two-way communication)
• This network topology can support all LoRA/ UNB type market applications, as well as applications that need real-time communication, such as ATM, Traffic lights, Security Cameras, Public Parking systems, Smart Lighting, and other Smart City applications.
• Several billion devices work on cellular network today.
• All mobile phones in the world use Cellular IoT.

LoRaWAN

• LoRA works on unlicensed spectrum – a proprietary solution (basically anyone can install a LoRA gateway)
• LoRA spectrum (ISM band 433 or 868 MHz, 2.4 GHz) is used by several other services that can affect the performance of the network, and is vulnerable to jamming*
• The chance that there is interference in a network (disturbance in the radio-communication because of multiple applications using the spectrum) is much higher
• There is no guarantee that this unlicensed spectrum will be available after 2028

Cellular IoT

• Local telecom operators purchase the licensed spectrum to operate local cellular networks (license are managed by 3GPP global alliance and granted by national government)
• All connections are checked, verified and only then allowed to join the network
• Local Telecom Operators actively manage the networks often with 24 x 7 service availability, thereby maintaining a high reliability

LoRaWAN

• There is no established method for LoRA network
• LoRA Gateways and network can be managed by local citizens, telecom operator, private company or even municipalities
• In case a municipality wants to manage its own LoRA network, then its IT organization needs to take care of the SLA and the network availability (including maintenance, emergency back-up, trained personnel for restoration, etc.)

Cellular IoT

• Local Telecom Operator provide guaranteed resource allocation needed for managed Quality of Service (QoS), uptime is often as high as 99,99%
• Local Telecom Operators offer different Service Level Agreements (SLA), including availability guarantees for the different network topologies
• NB-IoT and LTE-CATM1 use 3G, 4G and 5G licensed spectrum of the Telecom Operators, and therefore all SLAs and availability guarantees are applicable for this network topology
• In other words, municipality does not have to worry about the network management (same as network for cellphone)

LoRaWAN

• While LoRA has been adopted by several private companies, system integrators and consumers, it has not been adopted by the large Telecom Operators. This is one of the major barriers

Cellular IoT

• All large / international Telecom Operators have decided to implement LTE Cat M1/ NB-IoT on a large scale. Rollout is complete in many countries across the globe.
• LTE CAT 1 and GSM/ EGPRS are standard cellphone communication networks and are available globally

LoRaWAN

• LoRA network offers standard ISM Radio Frequency security. It is often argued as insufficient for public critical infrastructure

Cellular IoT

• Strong network security based on 3GPP global standards
• It remains a global standard with highest security levels (with continuous updates) today in the industry
• Public critical infrastructure such as traffic lights, security cameras, ATMs depend on cellular IoT network for day-to-day operation

LoRaWAN

• Due to the (very) low bandwidth of LoRA network, it is often very time-consuming (it can take weeks for an OTA update) or not even possible (if the number of LoRA devices per Gateway are more)
• Lack of prompt OTA update is unfortunately considered one of the biggest risks related to LoRA based devices. In case of any security breach, this dependency can create unexpected risks

Cellular IoT

• Due to availability of good bandwidth and speed, controllers based on cellular network (spread across the city or town) can be updated fully automatically in a matter of minutes

LoRaWAN

• LoRA network based streetlights need multiple Gateways
• This requires a detailed network design (for example, how many Gateways needed, where to install them, is there line of site, etc.). This also requires specific knowledge and expertise of the installation team
• Intervention process, in case of a Gateway failure, also needs to be well documented/ planned

Cellular IoT

• Cellular network offers a physical Gateway free installation
• Controllers (e.g. NEMA or Zhaga controller) can be ‘clicked’ on the top of the luminaire, and they will automatically connect to the Central Light Management System (LMS) via a local cellular communication network

LoRaWAN

• LoRA network is often marketed as a “free” network. However, unfortunately this is not true
• If municipality installs LoRA network in the city, then it is personnaly responsible to manage, monitor and maintain the network. Personnel and resources have to be recruited and trained to manage the Gateways
• While if a local system integrator or telecom operator offers LoRA connectivity, then they will charge for the network connectivity. This is often hidden cost and must be explicitly clarified

Cellular IoT

• The costs for cellular M2M / IoT connectivity was one of the major barriers to the adoption for smart street lighting application. However, this cost has come down significantly over the last five years.
• Today, several MVNOs and local telecom operators offer connectivity at US $15 to $20 for 10 years per controller device. In other words, there is no monthly subscription fees to be paid.
• This is an excellent new development in the industry. Therefore, increasing number of smart city applications, including smart street lighting projects, have started using cellular IoT network.