Matching network to need.
WHAT TO ASSESS
Range required Data volume and frequency Power available Cost per device per year Whether infrastructure exists where you deploy
WHY THAT LAST POINT DECIDES MANY CASES
A technology with no coverage at the site is not a candidate, whatever its merits.
WHAT SHORT-RANGE OPTIONS PROVIDE
Connection to a nearby gateway or phone.
WHAT WIDE-AREA OPTIONS PROVIDE
Direct connection over distance, without local infrastructure.
WHAT THE BROAD TRADE-OFF IS
Range and power efficiency against data rate.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Technologies reaching far on little power carry very little data.
WHAT HIGH DATA RATE REQUIRES
More power, and usually more cost.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
How many bytes you actually need to send, and how often.
WHY THAT FIRST
It eliminates most options immediately.
WHAT MANY PROJECTS DISCOVER
That a few dozen bytes several times a day is sufficient.
WHAT THAT OPENS
Low-power wide-area options with years of battery life.
WHAT TO AVOID
Choosing a technology before knowing the data requirement.
