Switching Smart Streetlights from 5G to LoRaWAN: How Much Can O&M Costs Really Be Reduced?
When first approaching smart streetlight projects, the default reaction for many procurement entities is to opt for 5G. The reasoning is simple: 5G represents cutting-edge technology.
However, once the projects enter the actual implementation phase, an increasing number of EPC contractors and municipal agencies discover a crucial fact: the single largest cost in a smart streetlight project is not the initial procurement cost, but rather the operational and maintenance (O&M) costs incurred over the subsequent 5 to 10 years. The choice of communication solution is precisely what determines this outcome.
I. What Data Do Smart Streetlights Actually Transmit?
Let's start by addressing a fundamental question: What kind of data does a single smart streetlight pole transmit on a daily basis?
Typically, this consists of: on/off status, dimming commands, voltage and current readings, battery State of Charge (SOC), fault alerts, energy consumption statistics, and environmental sensor data.
To put it plainly, all of this constitutes "small data." For many streetlight poles, the total data volume generated in a single day amounts to less than a few megabytes (MB). Such data does not require high bandwidth, nor does it demand ultra-low latency; it simply needs to be transmitted reliably without dropping the connection.
The design objective of 5G is to serve high-concurrency, high-bandwidth scenarios—such as video streaming, edge computing, and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communications. Utilizing 5G to transmit the basic operational and maintenance data of smart streetlights results in a completely mismatched cost structure.
II. 5G Brings More Than Just a Difference in Module Price
Many people focus solely on asking: "How much more expensive is a 5G module compared to a LoRaWAN module?" However, what truly impacts the overall project cost is the chain reaction of consequences that follows.
The power consumption of 5G modules is typically tens of times higher than that of LoRaWAN modules. According to the LoRa Alliance's 2024 technical report, the operating current of a LoRaWAN end node during transmission is typically below 50 mA, whereas the peak current draw of a 5G module can reach hundreds of milliamperes—or even climb into the ampere range. [LoRa Alliance, 2024; Confidence Level: High]
For smart solar streetlights, this disparity in power consumption directly impacts system configuration:
· High communication power consumption → Requires a larger-capacity battery.
· Larger battery → The installed capacity of the photovoltaic (PV) panels must be increased commensurately.
· Both components increase in size → The volume of the battery compartment expands, and the structural load-bearing capacity of the light pole may require re-calculation.
Conversely, by choosing LoRaWAN: communication power consumption is extremely low, allowing for a reduction in battery capacity and the use of smaller-specification PV panels. This represents savings not merely at the operations and maintenance (O&M) level, but directly impacts the hardware Bill of Materials (BOM) costs during the procurement phase.
According to 2024 data from GSMA Intelligence, communication-related expenses can account for 30% to 45% of the total lifecycle cost of IoT devices—a proportion that is even higher in emerging markets. [GSMA Intelligence, 2024; Confidence Level: High]
III. Three Core Principles Behind LoRaWAN’s Reduction of O&M Costs
Extremely low power consumption leads to greater system stability. LoRaWAN nodes consume extremely low power while in sleep mode, waking up only briefly to transmit data. This significantly enhances off-grid endurance during prolonged periods of overcast or rainy weather, resulting in a lower frequency of maintenance interventions over time.
Private network deployment ensures network sovereignty remains with the owner. LoRaWAN supports the deployment of private gateways, allowing data to be transmitted within a proprietary network without relying on the cellular infrastructure of public carriers. This offers a high degree of controllability for scenarios such as ports, industrial parks, mining sites, and new urban development zones.
A simple network architecture facilitates rapid fault diagnosis. The data link is clearly defined: End Node → Gateway → Network Server → Application Layer. Most issues can be self-diagnosed and resolved by the project team directly, without the need for third-party intervention.
IV. The Optimal Approach: Deploy LoRaWAN While Reserving 5G Capabilities
Choosing LoRaWAN does not imply foregoing the potential for 5G integration.
The most critical point is this: current mainstream smart streetlight solutions are already capable of implementing a "dual-reserve" strategy. The light poles can be pre-equipped with internal slots for 5G modules and antenna interfaces; the platform layer can be designed to support 5G protocol access; and the power management system can be engineered with sufficient power headroom to accommodate future 5G requirements. Once truly high-bandwidth applications come to fruition—such as AI video analytics, V2X, and edge computing—the 5G interfaces can be activated at any time, requiring no large-scale retrofitting.
According to data from the *Ericsson Mobility Report 2025*, within the energy and infrastructure sectors, Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) IoT technologies will remain the dominant choice for smart city sensor deployments through 2030. [Ericsson Mobility Report, 2025; Confidence Level: Medium-High]
Conclusion
Switching from 5G to LoRaWAN does not constitute a technological regression. Rather, it often signifies that a project has transitioned from the technical demonstration phase into the actual engineering implementation phase.
Reserving 5G interfaces represents a balance struck between pragmatism and forward-thinking vision. Smart streetlights serve as long-term urban infrastructure; for their communication solutions, the greatest risk is not a lack of technological sophistication, but rather instability in operation or an inability to handle the necessary computational load.
— When evaluating communication solutions for smart streetlights, how do you balance technological foresight against operational costs? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
References:
· LoRa Alliance Technical Report, 2024
· GSMA Intelligence IoT Report, 2024
· Ericsson Mobility Report, 2025
· IEA World Energy Outlook, 2023
Post time:May - 22 - 2026
