Terminology » Wize vs LoRa: Key Differences, Advantages and Use Cases Compared

Wize vs LoRa: Key Differences, Advantages and Use Cases Compared

lpwan wize lora lorawan difference between technology comparison

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT), selecting the appropriate communication technology is pivotal for ensuring efficiency, reliability and longevity of connected devices. Two prominent Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies are Wize and LoRa. They have emerged as leading solutions catering to diverse IoT applications.

Wize technology

It is a wireless communication technology developed as per European standard EN13757. It is one of LPWAN technology designed to offer low power, long range and secure communication. It is mainly used for smart metering (gas, water and electricity). The key features of Wize technology are as follows.

  • Operates in sub GHz band (notably 169 MHz in Europe)
  • Offers long range (Up to 50 Km in rural region)
  • Strong penetration through obstacles
  • Very low power consumption which delivers battery life of about greater than 15 years
  • Suited for private networks and public utility infrastructure

LoRa technology

LoRa is a proprietary spread spectrum modulation technique developed by Semtech for LPWAN. It is widely used in IoT devices for long range communication with minimal energy usage. Following are the key features of LoRaWAN system in which LoRa modulation is used.

  • Operates in unlicensed ISM bands (e.g. 868 MHz in EU and 915 MHz in US)
  • Offers long range , about 2-15 Km typically
  • Uses LoRaWAN protocol for network communication
  • Supports bi-directional communication
  • Low data rate but scalable

Difference between Wize and LoRa

FeatureWize TechnologyLoRa Technology
Frequency Band169 MHz (Europe, license free, regulated)ISM bands (868 MHz EU, 915 MHz US)
RangeUp to 50 Km (Rural), Excellent underground reach2-15 Km, typically up to 20 Km (Rural)
Modulationnarrowband (2.4 KHz), FSKSpread Spectrum (CSS)
Protocol StackEN13757 basedLoRaWAN (i.e. network + MAC)
Network typeTypicallly private utility networksPublic or private LPWANs
Radio PenetrationVery high (Deep indoor & underground)Good but less than Wize
Message size (maximum)246 bytes222 bytes
Battery Life> 15 Years5-10 years
Data rateVery low (~100 bps)Variable (0.3 to 50 kbps)
StandardOpen standard (EN13757)Open Standard (LoRaWAN by LoRa Alliance)
Target ApplicationsSmart metering (Water, gas, electricity)Smart cities, logistics, agriculture, industry
SecurityAES-128AES-128

Summary

When deciding between Wize and LoRa technologies, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of your IoT application.

  • Wize is highly specialized for smart metering and excels in deep penetration, very long battery life and and minimal maintenance.

  • LoRa, with its flexible architecture and operation in unlicensed ISM bands, provides a versatile platform suitable for a broad spectrum of applications. LoRa is more versatile with a wider ecosystem, suitable for diverse IoT applications.