LoRa vs Sigfox: two competing ultra-low-power networks

With the large-scale deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT), the development prospects for artificial intelligence and connected devices are impressive. Alongside these, data collection has become a challenge of global scale.

Two ultra-low-power telecommunication networks (Ultra Low Power, or LPWAN) are competing head to head. Choosing one over the other is generally no easy matter.

LoRa and Sigfox: pioneers of connected-device communication

In recent years, technologies enabling communication between connected devices have emerged. Among them, the LoRa network and Sigfox are pioneers in the field.

LoRa technology, which stands for Long Range, allows connected devices to exchange small amounts of data at low bit rates. Unlike high-bandwidth networks such as 4G or 5G, it has the advantage of being highly energy-efficient, reducing device power consumption. With just a small battery, it can also extend device lifespans, enabling autonomous operation for up to ten years.

LoRa technology is also particularly valued for its impressive ability to penetrate buildings and basements. A radio antenna — private or public — can transfer data over a radius of several kilometres. This is precisely why the technology is also known as LoRaWAN, which stands for Long Range Wide Area Network.

In practice, to use LoRa technology, public or private operators install antenna stations. Devices fitted with a LoRa chip and connected to the internet via gateways send the collected data to nearby antennas.

What are the practical use cases for LoRa technology?

LoRa tools are genuine marketing assets, helping businesses win new customers. By reinventing Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, LoRa makes it possible to manage customer geolocation, feedback, queue management… and any other information that improves the customer experience.

To go further and drive customer engagement, LoRa uses Beacon devices to deliver targeted content.

The community LoRaWAN network

The Things Network is a community network that operates on LoRa technology, enabling the transmission of information across connected devices at very low energy consumption.

An open-source network for the Internet of Things, it is made up of more than 400,000 contributors — businesses, universities, and municipalities — who use it free of charge and contribute to its development.

Sigfox technology is closely related to LoRa. It offers cellular connectivity dedicated to low-bandwidth communications, at low cost and with low energy consumption.

Communication between connected devices is made possible by UNB (Ultra Narrow Band) technology. This operates on licence-free frequencies such as the ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) bands. In France, these bands are found at a frequency of 868 MHz.

As with LoRa technology, Sigfox uses these bands for M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication, with devices such as coffee machines or freezers.

Since late 2019, it has been possible to deploy a private Sigfox network. This enables extended coverage for connected sensors.

What are the practical use cases for Sigfox technology?

Sigfox connectivity can prove useful across many fields. It is particularly relevant in logistics, thanks to its simplified data collection.

The technology can be used to monitor advertising panels, manage home alarms, and more. By combining the M2M communication it enables with a decision-making unit, this solution can deliver a better understanding of the outside world and become a significant asset for its users.

LoRa vs Sigfox: the real differences

Global coverage?

LoRa and Sigfox are direct competitors. However, several aspects set the two apart, the first being their respective coverage.

LoRa technology encompasses 148 operators. According to Rémi Lorrain, Director of the LoRaWAN network at Semtech, 12 of these operators have national coverage in Europe, meaning they cover 80% of a country's population. Objenious, an IoT-dedicated subsidiary founded in February 2016, also covers more than 80% of the French population.

Sigfox holds a prominent position in the market. The company states that 1.3 billion people worldwide can benefit from Sigfox networks.

Further technical differences set the two apart. LoRa technology is open source, unlike Sigfox, which remains proprietary. As a result, the long-term viability of Sigfox connectivity depends directly on the company's own longevity. The strength of LoRa networks lies in the fact that they are generally deployed by large institutions in each country, with guarantees of operation spanning several decades — networks such as Objenious or Orange in France being prime examples. This represents a genuine mark of confidence.

That said, Sigfox has the advantage of being a single global operator. There are therefore no roaming issues between countries. This is considerably more complex for LoRa, where each national operator must interconnect with neighbouring networks. LoRa roaming remains very limited in Europe (France, Belgium, Switzerland), and this also generates additional costs for users.

Furthermore, LoRa offers lower geolocation accuracy than Sigfox. When sensors or trackers do not include GPS chips, the Sigfox solution appears considerably more attractive. However, the accuracy figures quoted by Sigfox and Objenious greatly overstate reality. Real-world accuracy is in the order of 1 to 3 km, or even 20 km — far from the advertised 50 m.

In terms of energy efficiency, LoRa has the edge as it consumes less than Sigfox. However, the orders of magnitude remain similar. In our view, this is therefore not a compelling decision criterion.

Finally, until late 2019, it was not possible to set up a private Sigfox network. LoRa, by contrast, allowed this — a notable advantage for the latter.

Without this constituting a true advantage or disadvantage in itself, these types of networks are nonetheless complementary, and their use depends on the needs of the businesses or individuals seizing the technological opportunity they represent.

Learn more about Zozio and its geolocation technology