Is 5G ready for IoT?

5G is finally here. But what are the benefits of 5G for anyone planning an IoT project now? And is it really a viable option?

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Advantages of 5G for IoT

It’s worth noting that some of 5G’s main benefits for consumer applications—higher connection speeds and greater capacity—are not relevant to the Internet of Things, which typically uses a large number of devices, each sending a small amount of data. In theory, the extra capacity could benefit the IoT by allowing for a higher density of devices in an area, but in practice, it’s hard to find use cases today where the density is too high relative to existing networks.

Previous cellular technology was designed with the assumption that it would be used primarily in phones with batteries that were charged once a day, and each generation consumed more power than the previous one. But 5G is better optimized for devices sending small amounts of data, reducing the overhead of signaling and payload for any particular bit of data. The biggest benefit of 5G is its lower power consumption.

The benefits of lower power consumption, both in terms of smaller batteries and longer battery life, are huge for IoT and connected devices. Smaller devices provide greater flexibility in the deployment of IoT solutions, while longer lifespans mean that devices can be left in the field for longer periods of time without the need for costly maintenance.

Alternatives to 5G

Even though 5G is starting to roll out now, it’s unlikely to be ready for most IoT use cases today. The network’s coverage is still limited geographically, and you also have to consider the availability of 5G-compatible devices and all the system integration steps that go along with that.

In fact, waiting for 5G could mean wasting significant time. There are other solutions available today that solve most of the same IoT problems.

The most well-known is LoRa, a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology based on unlicensed public spectrum that was first developed in 2009 but has started to see widespread adoption in the past 12-18 months. It is specifically designed for sending small amounts of data with very low overhead.

LoRa certainly has limitations. LoRa modules provide a range of about 10 kilometers in open space, which limits its use to use cases for static devices operating in a fixed area. Public LoRa networks also exist, but unlike cellular networks, where devices can reliably connect to almost any city on Earth, these only cover major urban areas.

The right technology depends on the specific requirements of your use case, including location, bandwidth, and security. Alternatively, your needs may be better met by using current cellular technology and accepting larger batteries in the short term or through some combination of technologies.

The vast majority of IoT applications are feasible with currently available technology. Implement it correctly and you’ll be ready to transition to 5G once coverage becomes more widespread and the hardware becomes cheaper.