Why Dedicated IoT Networks Make Sense: 3 Key Advantages

Link Labs is pioneering a new "Lo-Lo" network—Low Power/Long Range—by engineering a groundbreaking physical layer that extends radio reach well beyond conventional Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth. Coupled with a sophisticated MAC that lets devices remain in low‑power sleep until data transmission is required, this architecture delivers unparalleled efficiency.

Building an IoT/M2M ecosystem from the ground up with low power and long range at its core unlocks three critical benefits that cellular solutions simply cannot match:

Low Power

Most emerging IoT sensors rely on batteries that must endure for years. Link Labs’ radio modules achieve long‑range connectivity through brief (<100 ms) bursts drawing roughly 50 mA, while idle consumption drops to only a few microamps. This translates into multi‑year operation on standard AA batteries—far surpassing cellular modems, which can deplete a battery in days.

Low Cost Chipsets & Service

For high‑return applications, cellular modems (e.g., Telit, Sierra) are already deployed. However, to reach lower‑ROI markets, both hardware and monthly data costs must be dramatically reduced. A Link Labs IoT module can be built for a fraction of the $100+ price of a typical cellular modem. Moreover, Link Labs offers volume‑based data pricing, often costing pennies per transmission for low‑rate use cases.

Capacity

The IoT market is poised to expand into the billions of devices. LTE/3G networks, designed for high‑performance users, cannot sustainably support such scale due to high overhead. Link Labs networks are engineered for mass deployment, supporting 100–300 k nodes per antenna without compromising reliability.