Cost Estimator for LoRaWAN Network and Gateway Setup
Utilizing a Total Network Cost calculator, LoRaWAN network operators and interested parties can ascertain the impact of lower-performing outdoor gateways on the initial deployment cost and annual operating expenses. Deploying a higher number of sites with poorer quality gateways increases the initial deployment cost, while resulting in a poor return on investment (ROI) over the service's duration, as well as poor coverage, more packet loss, decreased device battery life, and a greater need for engineering support.
Operators of Tier 1 and 2 cellular networks deploy only high-performing, quality, and dependable basestations from industry leaders such as Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, and Samsung. These operators understand that the basestation's radio performance and quality set their network's cost for ten years or more since they are deployed, impacting both customer satisfaction and churn rates. Replacing low-quality gateways with Carrier Grade Gateways has already shown to reduce the network's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for some operators. In some instances, these operators have been able to decrease the number of deployed gateways from 2 to 1, and in some cases, even to 5 to 1, thereby reducing costs.
Those who have doubts about the factors driving network cost can reach out to RF planning or operations personnel within Tier 1 operators to inquire about the number of sites deployed, the importance of annual operating cost versus basestation cost, and the reasons for selecting Carrier Grade Gateways.
Users who would like more information can download the number of LoRaWAN gateways and network cost calculator or contact the company via email or through its contact form.
A comparison of key impact areas shows that while carrier-grade gateways have a higher initial capital expenditure (CAPEX), they offer improved reliability, reduced maintenance needs, and better scalability, leading to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over time. On the other hand, lower-quality gateways may have a lower initial cost but higher long-term expenses due to increased failure rates, support issues, and inefficiencies in scaling.
For LoRaWAN network operators, the deployment of Carrier Grade Gateways results in a higher upfront cost but offers significant savings in TCO due to improved reliability, reduced maintenance, and easier scalability, particularly for large-scale or professional deployments. Lower-quality gateways, which are cheaper initially, may incur higher costs in the long run due to operational inefficiencies and an increased need for support.
- The deployment of Carrier Grade Gateways, despite a higher initial capital expenditure, offers a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for LoRaWAN network operators due to improved reliability, reduced maintenance needs, and better scalability, which are crucial particularly for large-scale or professional business deployments.
- In contrast, while lower-quality gateways may appear cost-effective initially, they can incur higher costs in the long run due to increased failure rates, support issues, and inefficiencies in scaling, which can have a significant impact on a network's finance and technology aspects, especially over the service's duration.
