remote meter reading communication technologies

In remote meter reading scenarios (such as water, electricity, and gas meters), the choice of communication technology directly impacts device battery life, coverage, cost, and reliability. The following detailed analysis of the differences between LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, GPRS, and WiFi technologies is based on application scenarios.

1. LoRaWAN

Technical Features: A low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) based on LoRa modulation. This non-cellular technology supports long distances (several kilometers to over ten kilometers), low data rates (<50kbps), low power consumption, and ad hoc networking.

Application Scenarios:

Suitable for wide-area, low-density scenarios such as rural areas, suburban areas, and industrial parks. For example:

Water/electricity meters in rural areas (wide coverage, dispersed devices, no need for dense gateway deployment);

Gas meters in remote areas (gateway coverage radius up to 5-10 kilometers, single gateway can connect thousands of devices, low deployment cost).

Advantages: Extremely low device power consumption (battery life 3-10 years), no data charges for self-built gateways, suitable for low-cost, large-scale deployment.

2. NB-IoT

Technical Features: Narrowband Internet of Things (LPWAN), based on carrier cellular networks (4G/5G), supports wide coverage (strong penetration), low power consumption, large connections (a single base station can connect over 100,000 devices), and high reliability.

Application Scenarios:

Suitable for densely populated urban areas and indoor/underground environments (such as residential communities, apartments, and basements). Examples include:

Water meters in high-rise residential buildings (high device density; a single NB-IoT base station can support a large number of devices, avoiding network congestion);

Electricity meters in underground garages (strong signal penetration, capable of covering enclosed environments like basements).

Advantages: Relying on carrier networks, it offers stable coverage (no need to build your own base stations) and low power consumption (battery life of 5-8 years), making it suitable for meter reading in high-density, complex environments.

3. GPRS

Technical Features: 2G cellular network technology, medium speed (50-100 kbps), wide coverage, but high power consumption and limited connections (a single base station can connect thousands of devices). Application Scenarios:

This technology is a transitional technology. It was widely used in the early days (before 2010) due to the lack of widespread LPWAN adoption, but is now being phased out. Examples include:

Early city electricity meters (reliant on 2G network coverage);

Temporarily deployed meter reading equipment (an alternative when LPWAN signals are unavailable).

Disadvantages: High power consumption (battery life is only 3-12 months), 2G network decommissioning (2G signals have been shut down in some areas), and gradual replacement by NB-IoT.

4. WiFi

Technical Features: Wireless LAN technology with high speeds (Mbps-level), short range (10-50 meters), high power consumption, and reliance on WiFi hotspots (routers).

Application Scenarios:

Limited to localized scenarios with short distances, fixed power sources, and WiFi coverage. Examples include:

Smart meters in factories (centralized equipment, stable WiFi coverage, and mains power);

Water meters in office buildings (close to WiFi hotspots, no battery life considerations). Limitations: Extremely small coverage area, high power consumption (not suitable for battery-powered devices), only suitable for localized densely populated areas with power supply.

Wuxi Zhongyi Smart Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on the development and manufacturing of smart water meters, energy meters, gas meters, covering more than 90 countries around the world. If you are interested in smart water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, please contact Zhongyi Smart!