Why 4G for the IoT?
Connecting an industrial site to fiber is expensive and takes months; at a remote location, it’s often impossible. 4G/LTE gets around this problem: all it takes is a SIM card and a router, and the site is connected in a matter of minutes—anywhere there’s a mobile network.
For the IoT, 4G checks all the right boxes:
- Mature national coverage, far superior to today’s 5G;
- Sufficient bandwidth for monitoring, remote meter reading, and remote access;
- Controlled costs—IoT data volume is low and pre-filtered by the gateway;
- Rapid deployment, with no civil engineering required.
Data Rates, Latency, and Usage
| IoT Use Case | Requirement | 4G/LTE |
|---|---|---|
| Remote meter reading | Very low | More than sufficient |
| Modbus data transmission / sensors | Low | Ideal |
| Remote PLC access (HMI) | Medium | Adequate |
| Video surveillance / real-time streaming | High | Possible (depending on coverage) |
| Critical real-time process control | Very low latency | 5G preferred |
For site-by-site comparisons, see the 4G vs. industrial fiber comparison.
4G, LTE-M, NB-IoT: Three Complementary Profiles
- 4G/LTE: for anything that requires high data throughput or interactivity (monitoring, HMI, video).
- LTE-M: for mobile devices, low power consumption, acceptable latency.
- NB-IoT: for fixed sensors, very low power consumption, deep indoors (basements, underground meters), with minimal data throughput.
They can be combined: a single network can include both 4G gateways and NB-IoT sensors. The IoT Connectivity guide helps you choose the right technology for each application.
4G or 5G for the IoT?
5G is not an automatic “replacement” for 4G in the IoT. It offers real benefits in three areas: very high data rates, very low latency, and massive device density. Outside of these use cases (video, real-time control, dense smart factories), 4G remains the default choice: it offers better coverage, is less expensive, and is more mature. For sites that require it, Eziwan also offers an industrial 5G router.
How to Successfully Deploy 4G IoT
- Multi-carrier SIM so you’re never dependent on a single network — see IoT SIM card.
- Failover between carriers (and possibly fiber ↔ 4G).
- Appropriate antenna at sites with weak signals (partial dead zones).
- Edge filtering to reduce data costs.
- Planned migration of older modems — GPRS → 4G guide.
In a particularly challenging location, try a combination of approaches: see the guide Connectivity in Unserved Areas.