Low-Power Wide-Area Network is an evolving technology within the IoT industry that in recent years has become an increasingly popular type of wireless telecommunication network that will allow for long-range communication while using a low-level bit rate. Slightly different from other wireless devices such as WPAN, LPWAN operates at a data rate ranging from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel.

Common types of LPWAN

Lora: is a long-range radio developed by SemTech targeted for M2M and IoT networks.

LoraWAN: The LoRaWAN® specification is a Low Power, Wide Area (LPWA) networking protocol designed to wirelessly connect battery operated 'things' to the internet in regional, national or global networks, and targets key Internet of Things (IoT) requirements such as bi-directional communication, end-to-end security, mobility and localization services.

SigFox: Sigfox is a French global network operator founded in 2010 that builds wireless networks to connect low-power objects such as electricity meters and smartwatches, which need to be continuously on and emitting small amounts of data.

LPWAN Technology Attributes

Long Range: LPWAN technology operating range can vary from a couple of kilometres to over 10 kilometres.

Low Power: LPWAN products have been optimized for power consumption, their transceivers can run of low powered batteries for long periods of time.

Low Cost: LPWAN's simplified, lightweight protocols reduce complexity in hardware design and lower device costs.