After a slightly European look at what low power, long range networks are good for, an American view is provided by hardware supplier Link Labs.
They have published a white paper (free registration required to download) that describes seven use cases where they are seeing traction:
- Outdoor Lighting Controls
- Parking Sensors
- Security Access and Control
- Smart Grid and Demand Response
- Logistics and Asset Tracking
- Water Metering and Leak Detection
- Irrigation Management
Five thoughts from my perspective:
- Benefits from many use cases are only available when there are city-wide network deployments.
- Using a private network or gateway makes sense in some cases, for example smart parking in a privately operated parking building is different from city-wide street parking.
- Low power, long range networks are the obvious choice when sensors are battery operated. When a power line is available, connectivity options are wider.
- Each use case has its own unique challenges. Each also requires considering the wider context and business outcomes.
- Low power, long range networks are perhaps most challenged where low latency (less than one second) is required.