Sunsetting 2G Networks? What are my options?
The era of 2G is coming to an end worldwide. In many countries like the United States, 2G networks have already been decommissioned to make room for newer and better technologies. For businesses, this is a great opportunity to upgrade to more stable, secure, energy-efficient and future-proof technologies. In this blog post, we will explore the different connectivity options available and help you determine which one is best suited for your specific needs.
4G
4G has been around for a while and every person that has ever used a smartphone is probably familiar with it. Also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE), is the fourth generation of mobile communication and offers fast and secure data transmission capabilities, with speeds of up to 300 Mbps.
When is 4G the right solution for you?
If you want global coverage. 4G is available almost everywhere.
If you need fast internet (up to 300 Mbps).
If moderate energy consumption is not an issue.
5G
5G is the next generation of mobile communication, offering even faster and more stable connectivity than 4G. It is perfect for those who need to send large volumes of data quickly and reliably, especially in critical use cases such as Healthcare. While it consumes more energy than 4G, it provides speeds of up to 10 Gbps and is ideal for emerging technologies like drones and robotics.
When is 5G the right solution for you?
If you are looking for something for the long term. 5G is the latest technology and will remain so for a while.
If you need the fastest possible internet (up to 10 Gbps).
If high energy consumption is not a problem for you.
LPWAN
Low Power Wide Area Networks include technologies like LoRa, NB-IoT, and LTE-M, which are designed for low-energy consumption and the exchange of small data packages which makes them great solutions for use cases where energy consumption and low data usage are important.
LoRa
Are you dealing with small data volumes and seeking a long-term solution? LoRa is a great choice for you. With LoRa, you can exchange small amounts of data between devices and systems, such as sensors and trackers. Additionally, data can be transmitted using a single LoRa module for over ten years, making it a sustainable long-term solution.
When is LoRa the best fit for your needs?
If you require minimal energy consumption.
If an internet speed of up to 50 Kbps is sufficient.
If you are looking for a long-term solution.
NB-IoT
Although Simbase does not provide this type of connectivity, it is worth mentioning NB-IoT as an alternative. NB-IoT may be suitable if LoRa meets your requirements but on an international scale. Asia has extensive NB-IoT network coverage, making it a viable option. However, NB-IoT may not be as suitable for mobile objects like containers and trucks compared to LoRa.
When is NB-IoT the right choice for you?
If you want minimal energy consumption.
If you need International coverage, particularly in Asia.
If an internet speed of up to 250 Kbps is adequate.
If you’re devices are always static.
LTE-M
If you need a low power solution especially in Europe and North America, LTE-M is exactly what you’re looking for. LTE-M performs well even in areas with limited coverage, such as underground parking lots or industrial sites.
When is LTE-M the ideal solution for you?
If you have machinery that requires communication in low-coverage areas.
If your operations are primarily in Europe and North America.
If an internet speed of up to 1 Mbps is suitable.
If you want to minimize energy consumption (less than 4G but more than LoRa and NB-IoT).
