How the data gets from the street to the platform.
Learning Track · Module 3: Controllers · Step 18 of 101
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| Network | How it works | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTE-M, NB-IoT | Licensed cellular, SIM or eSIM per node | Good coverage, no gateways | SIM fees, operator network life |
| 4G, LTE Cat 1 | Standard cellular | Cabinet controllers | Data plan cost |
| LoRaWAN | Long range, low power, unlicensed band | Low data rates, private networks | Slow commands to many lights |
| Wi-SUN | IEEE 802.15.4g mesh | Large cities, utilities | Needs border routers |
| Other RF mesh | Maker-specific mesh | Mature single-maker systems | Lock-in |
| Power-line carrier | Data on the power cable | No radio | Noise on old cables |
Radio bands: Europe: LoRaWAN EU868. Duty-cycle limits apply in the 868 MHz band. Middle East: LoRaWAN plans differ by country (EU868 or AS923). Check with the telecom regulator (for example TDRA in the UAE or CST in Saudi Arabia) before you buy. South Asia: LoRaWAN IN865 in India (865–867 MHz). Other countries use different plans. NB-IoT coverage from major operators is good in Indian cities. USA: LoRaWAN US915. Wi-SUN and RF mesh are common in utility networks. FCC Part 15 applies to unlicensed radios.
Gateways and nodes send data with MQTT, HTTPS, or LwM2M. Inside the cabinet, controllers read meters with Modbus RTU over RS-485.
Note
Ask how long the operator will keep the network. Many 2G and 3G networks have closed and left devices offline.
Sources
- LoRa Alliance RP002 LoRaWAN Regional Parameters
- IEEE 802.15.4g / Wi-SUN FAN
- 3GPP specifications for LTE-M and NB-IoT
- OASIS MQTT 5.0
- OMA LightweightM2M
Changes: 30 October 2026: First publication: guides for Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the USA; failure library; tender clause library; comparisons; tools; downloads. See the changelog. Found a mistake? Report it.