Choosing the right M2M/IoT wireless network is not a simple task. Like most difficult decisions, the process can be overwhelming and selecting a network that’s ill-suited to your needs can be both costly and burdensome to amend. Thankfully, there’s a great deal of information and comparative data available to assure your decision is a well-informed and successful one.

There are several key issues to consider. For example, if you’re trying to determine whether ZigBee is a better fit than a cellular M2M network, you need to be able to answer the following questions:

  • Do you need to cover a long range?
  • What kind of battery life do you need?
  • Are you collecting data or collecting and sending control messages?

The purpose of this report is to help you evaluate, consider, and confidently answer these questions. For those developing Internet of Things (IoT) apps, it’s essential to make the best possible choice when it comes to wireless technology. In this document, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the 7 Most Common M2M Wireless Technologies used in IoT communication:

  • WiFi
  • Cellular
  • Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
  • 6LoWPAN
  • ZigBee
  • Symphony Link

We cover the basics of each network, present several use case scenarios, and provide comparisons of expected ranges while holding other variables held constant.

The bottom line is that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to choosing an M2M wireless network. If you’re currently developing an M2M or IoT app and trying to determine the best wireless network for your communication needs, this white paper is certainly worth a few minutes of your time -  it just might have the answers you need.

new industrial whitepaper

Written by Bob Proctor

Dr. Robert Proctor joined Link Labs as CEO in April 2016. He was a founding investor and advisor to the company from the beginning. Prior to Link Labs, Bob was the Co-Founder of Blu Venture Investors and CEO, Board Director and Investor of FlexEl, LLC. He is the Co-founder, Board Chairman, and Investor of Wiser Together, Inc. and Phase 5 Group, Inc. Bob served as Global Head of Marketing reporting to Chairman and CEO of Corporate Executive Board. He has decades of Senior Executive experience in public companies, including line, staff, and IPO leadership positions. Bob led teams that won corporate-wide awards for Best Business Breakthrough, Managerial Excellence, and Spirit of Generosity. Bob also served as an associate Principal McKinsey & Company, Inc. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Cornell University.

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