Throughout the IoT product development process, multiple disciplines and decisions need to be integrated. It is often thought that Wi-Fi makes the most sense for products that will be deployed indoors, while mobile networks are the best choice for outdoor products. However, this approach is somewhat simplistic. First, you need to understand the pros and cons of Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
Wi-Fi
Devices connected via Wi-Fi are extremely low-cost and don’t even incur recurring charges because there are no data plans involved. Additionally, Wi-Fi is a cheaper protocol overall because there are no fees to access the underlying network infrastructure. IoT platforms may require a small recurring fee for connection usage, but this can be much cheaper than a mobile data plan. Additionally, Wi-Fi means there are no bandwidth limitations, making it ideal for rich applications such as audio and video streaming, and it offers lower latency than mobile networks.
However, these substantial benefits also come with some downsides. Like any Wi-Fi enabled device, the performance of a Wi-Fi enabled IoT device depends on the reliability of the network connection from its router. A weak signal means poor connectivity and has a potentially damaging knock-on effect on product performance. Additionally, the environment in which IoT devices are deployed can also impact reliability, with thick walls or complex buildings limiting performance, for example.
mobile network
In recent years, mobile networks have advanced by leaps and bounds. They are now comparable to Wi-Fi in cost and power consumption and designed from the ground up to support continuous communication. They also penetrate well underground or in complex environments. In addition, various types of mobile connection protocols are also available, with 4G and NB-IOT currently having the largest market share.
However, a mobile network agreement requires you to sign up for a data plan, which means recurring fees and working closely with your mobile operator, which can be complicated. Additionally, mobile standards are in a constant state of evolution and need to be considered when developing products.
make a choice
Next, you need to consider the needs of your specific IoT product, as well as where and how it will be deployed. Key factors to consider include:
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- Power Consumption: How long can your product run based on the battery’s charge? Do they use replaceable batteries? Different network connection protocols place different power consumption requirements on your product.
- Scope: What areas will your IoT ecosystem cover? Generally speaking, IoT devices with small range and undemanding requirements are more suitable for simple WI-FI networks, while larger ranges are usually better suited for mobile networks.
- Data: What data will be collected in your IoT ecosystem? What’s the quantity? Large amounts of rich data require greater network bandwidth.
There’s no single way to choose the right IoT communications method for your product, but these things can help you make an informed decision.