Will 5G replace LoRaWAN?
Introduction to 5G and LoRaWAN
What is 5G?
5G refers to the 5th generation mobile network technology that delivers higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra low latency, increased capacity and improved reliability compared to 4G LTE networks. With ambitious performance goals, 5G enables new use cases like VR/AR, cloud gaming, connected vehicles and industrial automation.
What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a LPWAN (low-power wide-area network) protocol designed for wireless battery-powered IoT devices. LoRaWAN provides long-range connectivity up to 10 km in rural areas and penetrates buildings better than traditional cellular. It operates in unlicensed radio spectrum and trades off bandwidth for longer range.
Key differences between 5G and LoRaWAN
5G is a cellular technology that uses licensed spectrum promising higher bandwidth and low latency but at a higher cost. LoRaWAN is an LPWAN technology focused on long-range low-power connectivity for basic IoT use cases. 5G offers mobility for cellular devices while LoRaWAN nodes are generally fixed or stationary.
Benefits and limitations of 5G and LoRaWAN
Benefits of 5G
Ultra high speeds (multi-Gbps peak)
Low latency (sub-1ms)
High capacity through advanced antenna technologies
Support for high mobility applications
Ideal for advanced IoT applications like autonomous vehicles, smart factories etc.
Limitations of 5G
Requires licensed cellular spectrum leading to high deployment costs
Significant infrastructure investment needed for full coverage
Higher recurring costs for 5G connectivity and data plans
Overkill for numerous basic IoT applications like sensors, trackers etc.
Benefits of LoRaWAN
Long range connectivity (2-10 km in rural, 15 km in suburban areas)
Excellent building penetration characteristics
Operates in unlicensed spectrum leading to low costs
Optimized for sporadic uplink data from battery-powered devices
Simpler network architecture than cellular 5G
Ideal for basic IoT applications with low data rates
Limitations of LoRaWAN
Much lower data rates than 5G (0.3 kbps to 50 kbps)
Higher latency than 5G cellular
Not ideal for applications requiring high bandwidth or low latency like HD video streaming
Lack of mobility support
No guaranteed QoS unlike 5G
Comparison of 5G and LoRaWAN for IoT applications
Suitability of 5G for IoT
With its high speeds, low latency and improved reliability, 5G is well-suited for advanced IoT applications in domains like smart factories, autonomous vehicles, telemedicine etc. that demand reliable real-time control and analytics.
Suitability of LoRaWAN for IoT
LoRaWAN excels in connecting low-powered sensors, meters, trackers that need to run on batteries for years. Its long range connectivity and low costs make LoRaWAN ideal for large-scale environmental sensing, infrastructure monitoring, agricultural tech etc.
IoT use cases better suited to 5G
Autonomous vehicles, industrial robots, AR/VR, smart grid automation are examples of IoT applications that will benefit tremendously from 5G capabilities.
IoT use cases better suited to LoRaWAN
Smart metering, asset tracking, environmental monitoring, smart waste management - these use cases do not need high bandwidth or low latency and are better served by LoRaWAN.
Will 5G make LoRaWAN obsolete for IoT?
5G as a catalyst for LoRaWAN growth
The rollout of 5G could actually spur the adoption of LoRaWAN as both technologies have their specific advantages. With 5G taking up high-bandwidth use cases, LoRaWAN can focus on long-range low-power applications.
LoRaWAN's advantages ensuring its continued relevance
LoRaWAN's low costs, simple architecture and long range connectivity will ensure it remains relevant for a vast number of basic IoT applications that 5G would be overkill for.
Possibility of convergence of 5G and LoRaWAN
In the long term, we could see the convergence of 5G and LPWANs like LoRaWAN to deliver the best of both worlds - high bandwidth 5G core with LoRaWAN providing last mile connectivity for devices over a long range.
Conclusion
In summary, 5G and LoRaWAN are complementary technologies focused on different segments of the IoT market. While 5G will be transformational for advanced IoT use cases, LoRaWAN fulfills the connectivity needs of low-powered, long-range devices that make up a significant percentage of the total addressable IoT market. LoRaWAN is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory despite the emergence of 5G. A future where both technologies co-exist and complement each other is the most likely outcome.