What is IoT connectivity and how to choose the right option?

What is IoT Connectivity?

IoT connectivity refers to the different ways in which we connect IoT devices, including applications, sensors, trackers, gateways and network routers. However, it also refers to the different IoT network solutions that can power this connectivity including Wi-Fi, Cellular or LPWAN solutions, to name but a few. 

In this guide, we'll explain how to choose the best IoT connectivity technology by evaluating four key factors:

1. Bandwidth capacity (speed)

2. Coverage range

3. Power consumption

4. Additional important factors

By understanding these factors, you’ll be able to choose the best IoT connectivity option for your specific business needs.

How to weigh good IoT Connectivity

The four main things we tend to weigh up when choosing a good IoT connection are: 

1. Bandwidth (speed) 

Some IoT devices require high data throughput, such as real-time video streaming or large-scale data transmission. For these devices, choosing a connectivity solution that can handle high bandwidth is essential.

2. Coverage range  

If your IoT devices are spread out over large areas (e.g. warehouses, outdoors, remote sites) you'll need a connectivity option with extended range.

3. Power consumption  

Many IoT devices are battery-powered rather than hard-wired into the mains, so it’s important to bear this in mind when choosing a network, as you won’t want something power-hungry if you need longevity.     

If we take Wi-Fi as an example, it works perfectly well for stationary IoT devices that don’t need a long range, but it’s fairly limited in its reach. If you need to connect IoT devices with more flexible coverage range, you’re better off choosing something other than Wi-Fi for your IoT connectivity solution.  

4. Additional important factors

Alongside speed, range and power consumption, it’s also important to keep in mind some other important factors when picking the right option for you:  

Cost  

It might sound obvious, but the cost of IoT connectivity solutions can vary and the ongoing overheads are just as important to consider as the cost of initial setup. 

At 1GLOBAL, we offer cost-effective pricing tailored to your specific IoT needs, helping you optimize both setup and maintenance costs.

Your current system  

It’s worth checking whether the system you’re currently using can support an IoT connectivity upgrade. Some can be easily integrated, saving you a lot of time and money. For this, you can also check out list of supported features and IoT Cellular Modules.

Scalability 

Your IoT connection solution needs to be “future-proof” in that it should be able to scale as your business grows and expands. However, some solutions (such as wired connectivity) are more rigid than others. Bear in mind your future growth plans when choosing an IoT connectivity solution and pick something with flexibility.  

Deployment location 

Make sure you fully audit your location and check that it’s suitable for your chosen connectivity solution. For instance, an area with lots of radio interference or obstructions (i.e. walls, public transport hubs) might not work well with certain options.  

These are the most common and popular options that businesses use for IoT device connectivity. But which one is right for you? Let’s explore the top IoT connectivity options, each with distinct advantages depending on your specific needs.

Types of IoT Connectivity

1. Cellular connectivity

Cellular is usually the default IoT machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity option. It’s the same type of connectivity that we use to connect our smartphones and tablets and uses a broadcast tower to function, typically within a range of around 16 to 24 km and uses mobile networks like 4G LTE or 5G.

Key features of cellular IoT connectivity

• Range: Cellular has the largest range of any solution by far. If you’re within range of a cellular tower (which is most of the time) you can connect to anyone or anything on a global scale.

• Availability: Cellular connectivity is a very reliable IoT connectivity solution. Unlike Wi-Fi, it rarely cuts out and is available everywhere, making it ideal for global IoT solutions.

• Ease of use: Cellular is easy to use in that it’s highly compatible. You only need an IoT eSIM or regular SIM card to connect, but it has relatively high-power

• Cost-effectiveness: Household-name providers can be expensive, which is why it’s crucial to shop around and ensure you’re getting a tailored IoT Plan that’s right for you.

• Scalability: Cellular IoT connectivity is excellent for large-scale IoT deployments, especially when you need to connect devices in multiple regions.

Overview

If you want a broad coverage range with the opportunity to scale your IoT offering easily, cellular IoT connectivity is a great option for you…and 1GLOBAL for IoT is an excellent place to start! We offer seamless global IoT connectivity & an IoT Connectivity Platform powered by our IoT SIMs covering 190+ destinations across the globe.

2. Wi-Fi 

When it comes to connecting IoT devices, Wi-Fi works well for smaller gadgets and appliances within a specific location. As a network, it consumes a fair bit of power (although less than cellular) and has the obvious limitations in terms of coverage range. 

That said, Wi-Fi is typically reliable, providing good IoT connectivity once you’ve got it up and running correctly. Using Wi-Fi as an IoT network is quite popular already - just think about how many people use Wi-Fi to connect their Alexas, video doorbells and Google Nests. 

Key Features of Wi-Fi IoT Connectivity

• Bandwidth (Speed): Wi-Fi supports high-speed data transfer, making it ideal for data-intensive IoT applications like video streaming, smart security systems, or real-time data collection.

• Range: Wi-Fi’s range is limited (typically 30-100 meters) but works well in homes, offices, or small-scale environments.

• Power Consumption: Wi-Fi tends to consume more power than LPWAN or Bluetooth, so it’s best for devices that are always plugged in.

• Cost: Wi-Fi is often a cost-effective choice for local networks due to widespread availability and low installation costs.

• Availability: Wi-Fi networks are ubiquitous, but they can experience interference in areas with high device density.

Wi-Fi overview

If you have specific or limited parameters that you need your IoT network to work in, Wi-Fi can be a good option for you. However, as with your Wi-Fi network at home, it can occasionally cut out. If you have an IoT device that absolutely must remain connected 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, such as a healthcare device, security camera or smart lock, you may be better off using cellular. 

3. LPWAN 

Of all the available solutions, Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is the most recent entry to the IoT network space, and while it provides lower speed, it uses smaller, more cost-effective batteries to power its connectivity and offers great coverage range while still maintaining low power consumption. Different kinds of LPWAN connections have been created for different purposes, such as: 

• LTE-M (a customized LTE connection designed for low power consumption) 

• NB-IoT (for narrowband IoT) 

• LoRaWAN  

Key features of LPWAN

• Range: LPWAN offers long-range connectivity (up to 15 km in rural areas) while keeping power consumption low.

• Power Consumption: LPWAN is highly power-efficient, ideal for battery-powered devices that need to run for years without recharging.

• Bandwidth (Speed): Low data rates, typically ranging from 100 bps to a few kbps—perfect for applications like sensor readings, asset tracking, or environmental monitoring.

• Cost: LPWAN solutions are generally more affordable to deploy and operate than cellular networks, especially in rural or remote areas.

• Scalability: LPWAN networks can support millions of devices and are designed for large-scale IoT deployments.

LP-WAN overview

While LPWAN is great for specific purposes, it’s only really suitable for connecting IoT devices that don’t require high bandwidth, as it’s only designed to work with small chunks of data for an equally small cost.

4. Bluetooth 

Most of us are familiar with the concept of Bluetooth, having used it on our phones for the last decade, so we know that it enables users to send data across short distances using wireless technology. 

In recent years, Bluetooth has improved drastically in terms of power consumption. Where before it could empty a battery fairly easily, today’s Bluetooth connections run on a fairly low-power model. Bluetooth had a competitive bandwidth of 3Mbps but only has low range capabilities of below 30ft (10m). 

Key features

• Range: Bluetooth is limited to short-range communication, typically up to 100 meters (with Bluetooth 5.0).

• Bandwidth (Speed): Bluetooth offers moderate speeds, suitable for applications with low to medium data requirements (up to 3 Mbps with Bluetooth 5.0).

• Power Consumption: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has become an energy-efficient standard, allowing devices like wearables, smart home devices, and health trackers to run for extended periods on small batteries.

• Cost: Bluetooth modules are relatively inexpensive and widely available, making them a cost-effective solution for many IoT applications.

• Scalability: Bluetooth can be extended with Bluetooth Mesh to support larger IoT networks, though it's more suited for local deployments.

Bluetooth overview

Bluetooth connectivity is a great IoT connectivity option if you’re looking to send information across a close range, with medium to low bandwidth. 

Why choose 1GLOBAL for your IoT Connectivity needs?

At 1GLOBAL, we provide a comprehensive range of IoT connectivity solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses. Whether you're looking for global coverage, power-efficient solutions, or scalable IoT networks, we’ve got you covered.

• Global reach: Our IoT SIM cards and eSIM solutions provide seamless global connectivity across 190+ countries.

• Tailored solutions: We offer customized IoT plans designed to fit your specific requirements, ensuring cost-efficiency and scalability.

• Scalability: From small deployments to large-scale IoT networks, our platform allows for easy expansion as your business grows.

• Expert support: Our team of experts ensures smooth integration, from planning to deployment and maintenance, helping you optimize your IoT infrastructure and operate with 24x7 support.

Conclusion

In summary, cellular IoT connectivity provides the best experience in most instances when it comes to connecting your IoT offering, because it offers a broad coverage range and the opportunity to scale easily, all at a relatively low cost.