A Comparative Study of IoT-Communication Systems Cost Structure: : Initial Findings of Radio Access Networks Cost

Abstract

This techno-economic study introduces a framework to study the deployment cost of IoT radio access network and to compare the cost and capacity of LPWAN, LPLAN, and Cellular-IoT systems. There are a plethora of Communication technologies available today. Small rollout and pilot projects are visible for most of the IoT connectivity technologies. However, The economic viability of cellular and non-cellular IoT connectivity technologies are not definite. The primary objective of this work is to analyze the cost structure of SigFox, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and WiFi-HaLow. In this paper, we study an urban scenario with the consideration of an Greenfield and Brownfield actor to understand the technology selection strategy of communication service prodvider’s perspective. One of our findings indicates that the maintenance cost is the key cost driver for IoT radio access networks. We also point out certain bounds where a technology is potentially cost-effective.