LPWAN, LoRa, 5G: What uses?

Low-power networks such as LPWAN, such as LoRa, remain highly relevant for low-speed IoT.

The various generations of mobile networks, including 5G, are commonly associated with the implementation of mobile broadband. However, this mobile broadband is not intended to meet all use cases.

For example, low-power, low-power networks such as LPWAN (low-power wide area network) are already technologically proven solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).

These LPWAN networks, such as LoRa, already constitute a formidable tool benefiting local authorities, industry, real estate players, and, more broadly, all citizens. These users have initiated or implemented projects, sometimes long-standing, to better control energy consumption (electricity, gas, water, street lighting, etc.) or manage waste.

Thus, the IoT, radio frequencies, and mobile networks constitute an essential building block of smart territories and environmental strategies. These low-speed, low-energy IoT networks are considered a vector of innovation that can provide concrete solutions to environmental challenges. It is essential, for all the aforementioned users and many others, to continue to invent and implement all the innovative use cases that are part of the smart territories roadmaps.

In the IoT world, 5G primarily targets the family of connected objects with high bandwidth requirements (Industry 4.0, automotive, and autonomous vehicles are commonly cited examples). 5G could indeed foster the development of high-speed IoT, and, for example, strengthen the use of artificial intelligence, which requires increased data flows.

4G technology, in a private network model, enables the customized implementation of next-generation professional mobile networks.

Local authorities and sectors of the economy, particularly in the energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors, have long used specific communications systems. To meet the challenges of digital transformation and the industry of the future, these players have identified new business use cases for very high-speed mobile broadband. These include process digitization, predictive and preventive maintenance, infrastructure monitoring, video surveillance, augmented reality, and more. constitute some examples of these innovative business uses.

These require the tailor-made construction of next-generation professional mobile networks, based, for example, on 4G and IoT technologies today. More than ever, in this particular context linked to Covid-19, such professional mobile networks are considered by a growing number of organizations as a foundation to help strengthen their resilience and return them to growth.

In May 2019, Arcep selected the 2.6 GHz TDD band for the opening of an allocation window, with the aim of helping meet the connectivity needs of verticals and the challenges of digital transformation.

4G technology, in a private network model, allows for the design of tailor-made networks capable of meeting demanding requirements in terms of throughput, latency, and quality of service. This technology is therefore able to meet current business uses and most of the new needs identified at this stage.

The networks currently being deployed in this 2.6 GHz TDD band (EDF, Hub One, Air France, Transdev) will be able to upgrade to 5G when the time comes, in line with the development of the ecosystem.

3G and 4G technologies enable the design of high-performance solutions to enable everyone to communicate inside buildings.
Natural mobile coverage does not meet all indoor needs. On the one hand, 80% of mobile connections are made inside buildings. On the other hand, some indoor environments are not conducive to the proper propagation of waves from the outdoor relays deployed by commercial operators. These include, for example, eco-efficient/HQE buildings (thermal insulation materials, double glazing, reinforced concrete, etc.), metal warehouses, basements, or even underground parking lots.

Inside these buildings or complex enclosures, the implementation of an indoor coverage solution aims to provide a high-speed, high-performance, and reliable network.

Among the many indoor coverage solutions, distributed antenna systems (DAS) provide multi-operator coverage. To the extent that dedicated capacity is needed inside the building, current 3G and 4G technologies meet the needs; the introduction of 5G does not appear to be a priority.

The heterogeneity of use cases requires the implementation of a diversity of strategies and technological solutions. The Tactis consulting firm supports a growing number of public and private stakeholders in the development of innovative, sustainable, and universally beneficial telecommunications infrastructures and digital services. Tactis is present in particular to understand the specific needs of each of its clients, then define the best combination of solutions, specifically adapted to the client's needs, in line with complex technical, economic, health, and environmental challenges.