The Frequency Bands of IoT Wireless

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly expanding network of connected objects, devices, sensors, and machines that communicate with one another through wired or wireless networks. These devices exchange data over the internet or private networks to enable automation, monitoring, analytics, and remote control across industries such as smart homes, industrial automation, agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and utilities.

IoT devices support a flexible range of connectivity options, including Ethernet, cellular, satellite, and multiple wireless radio technologies. Most wireless IoT protocols operate in either:

• License-free ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) bands such as 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz  to 5GHz.
• Licensed cellular spectrum, such as LTE and 5G frequency bands
• Emerging mmWave bands used in advanced 5G deployments

The frequency band selected plays a critical role in determining range, data rate, power consumption, penetration ability, and cost.

Characteristics of Different IoT Frequency Bands

Understanding how frequency affects performance is essential when selecting an IoT wireless solution.

Lower Frequencies (e.g., 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz)

• Longer transmission range
• Better penetration through walls, vegetation, and structures
• Lower data rates
• Lower power consumption
• Ideal for LPWAN and sensor networks

Sub-GHz frequencies are widely used in Europe (868 MHz), North America (915 MHz), and globally (433 MHz). These bands are particularly suited for smart metering, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial IoT.

Mid-Range Frequencies (2.4 GHz)

• Moderate range
• Higher data rates than sub-GHz
• Globally available ISM band
• More susceptible to interference

The 2.4 GHz ISM band is one of the most widely used globally and supports technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, and RPMA.

Higher Frequencies (5 GHz and above)

• Higher throughput
• Lower latency
• Shorter range
• Reduced wall penetration

Used primarily in Wi-Fi and advanced wireless systems.

mmWave Frequencies (Used in 5G)

• Extremely high data rates
• Ultra-low latency
• Very limited range
• Requires line-of-sight

Millimeter wave frequencies (24 GHz and above) are used in certain 5G deployments where ultra-high bandwidth is required, such as smart cities and autonomous systems.

Common IoT Wireless Technologies and Their Frequency Bands

Wi-Fi

Operates primarily in:

• 2.4 GHz
• 5 GHz
• 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7)

Best suited for high data rate applications such as cameras, gateways, and edge computing.

Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Operates in:

• 2.400 – 2.485 GHz ISM band

Bluetooth uses Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio to exchange data over short distances. BLE is optimized for ultra-low power consumption and is ideal for wearables, medical devices, and asset tracking.

Bluetooth range can be significantly improved with external antennas.

5G IoT

Operates across:

• Sub-1 GHz bands (for coverage)
• Mid-band spectrum (for capacity)
• mmWave (for ultra-high throughput)

5G enables ultra-low latency applications such as autonomous vehicles and industrial robotics.

LTE-M (LTE Cat-M1)

Also standardized by 3GPP.

• Supports mobility
• Higher data rates than NB-IoT
• Voice and data capable
• Operates in licensed LTE spectrum

Suitable for asset tracking and mobile IoT devices.

Zigbee

Operates in:

• 2.4 GHz globally
• 915 MHz (North America)
• 868 MHz (Europe)

Zigbee is a low-power, low-data-rate wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocol. It supports mesh networking, making it ideal for smart home and building automation applications.

Because Zigbee operates in the same 2.4 GHz band as Bluetooth, many antennas are compatible with both technologies.

Transmission distances typically range from 10 to 100 meters.

NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT)

Developed by 3GPP.

Operates within licensed LTE cellular bands.

• Bandwidth of approximately 200 kHz
• Very low power consumption
• Long battery life (up to 10 years)
• Wide-area coverage

NB-IoT is ideal for smart metering and large-scale deployments requiring carrier reliability.

LoRa and LoRaWAN

LoRa (Long Range) is a modulation technique using Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS).

LoRaWAN is the networking protocol built on LoRa.

Operates in:

• 433 MHz
• 868 MHz (Europe)
• 915 MHz (North America)

LoRa enables transmission distances of over 10 km in rural environments with very low energy consumption. Directional antennas extend range, though omni-directional antennas are common.

LoRaWAN was developed in France and is widely used for smart cities, agriculture, and industrial IoT.

Short-range IoT wireless devices

• Mostly use Bluetooth and ZigBee. Short-range connectivity is most common in IoT applications.
• Bluetooth antennas operate at the 2.400 to 2.485 GHz frequencies. Uses Ultra High Frequency Radio to exchange data between IoT devices over short distances.
• The range of Bluetooth can be greatly enhanced by antennas.
• Our ZigBee antennas are the same antennas that we designate as "Bluetooth Antennas", because ZigBee uses the same frequency range: 2.400 to 2.484GHz. ZigBee also uses 915 MHz band in the United States. ZigBee bears some similarities to Bluetooth but is simpler and cheaper to operate. A ZigBee antenna can be obtained as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) antenna or omni directional external antenna with. ZigBee is a wireless personal area network (WPAN) which is characterized by being low-power, low-data rate and operating at close proximity. It does not require line of sight. Transmission distances are typically within 10 to 100m. ZigBee is named after the distinctive movements of honeybees.
• Wired IoT devices use Ethernet, coaxial or power communication cables.

Medium-range IoT wireless:

• For medium range, the LTE Advanced network is almost exclusively preferred for its low latency, high data rates, and extended range. Mid-range variants of WiFi such as HaLow are also used.
• 2G, 3G / GSM, 4G / LTE and 5G wireless, WiFi.

Long-range IoT wireless

LPWAN (Low-power wide-area networking) transmits at low data rates: LPWAN is ideal for long distance IoT transmissions for its economic power consumption and cost of transmission. Long-range satellites such as VSAT transmitting narrowband and broadband are also used.

Major LPWAN technologies include:

• LoRaWAN stands for Long Range, and is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) that enables long range transmissions of more than 10km with low energy consumption. LoRa operates at frequencies just under 1 GHz. Directional antennas are most suitable for LoRa antennas, although omni-directional antennas are often used.  LoRaWAN was developed in France and derived from CSS as its first commercial implementation. LoRa exploits the sub-GHz RF bands such as 433MHz, 868MHz and 915MHz to facilitate long range transmission of over 10km with low power consumption, ideal for IoT connectivity.
• LTE-M. Long Term Evolution for Machines permits both voice and data transfer with mobility, low bandwidth and energy consumption.
• NB-IoT:  Narrow Band-Internet of Things(NB-IoT) is a LPWAN developed by 3GPP which provides data transfer at low cost and low energy consumption at a frequency of 200kHz.
• DASH7: A sensor and actuator network protocol developed by the DASH7 Alliance (D7A). It is open source and wireless. DASH7 is able to utilize a range of LPWAN technologies for operation within the license free sub GHz frequencies, relying mainly on 433MHz. 
• Sigfox: The Sigfox protocol was developed in 2009 in Toulouse, France and operates similarly to NB-IOT, as a narrowband LPWAN. It uses unlicensed ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) bands to operate.
• Wize: Wize is an open standard developed and released by the Wize Alliance in 2017. It harnesses the refurbished 169MHz frequency, previously used for pagers but now repurposed for smart utility metering and IoT applications.
• Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS): This form of digital communication utilizes frequency modulation pulses known as chirps to encode information for transmission. The chirps are frequency modulation pulses. The transmitted signal is spread to occupy the available frequency spectrum.
• Weightless: This form of communication uses open source wireless technology that allows exchange of data between base stations and multiple machines or devices in its vicinity. The connectivity standard Weightless-P has had traction as a bi-directional narrowband network that can operate at both licensed and unlicensed frequencies.
• Telegram Splitting: This license free and standardized LPWAN technology splits a transmitted data packet into numerous smaller portions of data and transmits these sub-packets at different times and sub-GHz frequencies. As less information is transmitted at a time, data transfer is fast, scalable and secure against interference, with ultra-low bandwidth consumption. MIOTY protocol harnesses this technology for large-scale industrial and commercial IoT deployments.
• NB-Fi Protocol: This protocol is license free, operating in the  ISM band. Developed by WAVoT, it is an ultra narrow band (UNB) technology and can achieve transmission distances of up to 30km in rural areas and even underground and low battery consumption lasting up to 10 years.
• Weightless. Open standard LPWAN operating in licensed and unlicensed bands.
• Random Phase Multiple Access (RPMA): This wireless technology, previously known as On-Ramp Wireless was developed by Ingenu for IoT and M2M applications. It operates using the 2.4GHz band with a stand-alone broadcast channel and can be deployed globally.
• Ultra Narrow Band (UNB): These LPWANs, delivered are characterized by their extremely narrow and selective bandwidths. Short infrequent transmissions can be delivered over VHF or UHF frequencies for long distance and low energy consumption communication by IoT and other devices. 
• Taggle Byron: This Australian-based venture has developed this radio technology to provide a low cost, low power and long range communications solution. 
• WAVIoT: This LPWAN has been developed specifically with IoT and M2M bi-directional communication in mind. WAVIoT harnesses ISM bands using the NB-Fi protocol for applications such as utility metering.
• MIOTY (Telegram Splitting Technology). Splits messages into sub-packets across sub-GHz frequencies for interference resistance and scalability.
• Satellite IoT (VSAT and LEO satellites). Provides global coverage for remote deployments.

Factors Affecting Protocol Selection for IoT Applications

When selecting wireless technology for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, the following key factors need to be considered to ensure optimal performance and efficiency:

1. Range: The distance over which the IoT device needs to communicate is crucial. Short-range technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are suitable for home or office environments, while long-range technologies like LoRaWAN or NB-IoT are better for industrial or agricultural applications where devices are spread out over large areas.
2. Data Rate: Different applications require different data throughput. High-data-rate technologies like Wi-Fi are suitable for applications like video streaming, while low-data-rate technologies like Zigbee or LoRa are sufficient for sensors transmitting small amounts of data.
3. Power Consumption: IoT devices often run on batteries, so power efficiency is a significant consideration. Technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Zigbee are designed for low power consumption, making them ideal for devices that need to operate for extended periods without recharging.
4. Network Topology: The structure of the network - whether it's point-to-point, star, mesh, or something else - affects the choice of technology. Mesh networks are robust and self-healing, ideal for smart home applications, and can be implemented with technologies like Zigbee.
5. Security: Security needs vary depending on the application. Technologies like Wi-Fi offer advanced security protocols, which are crucial for applications handling sensitive data.
6. Cost: The cost of implementing and maintaining the technology is always a consideration. Some technologies require more expensive hardware or have higher operational costs due to power consumption or network fees.
7. Interference and Reliability: In environments with many wireless devices or heavy machinery, interference can be a significant issue. Selecting a technology that operates on a less crowded frequency band or one that has robust interference mitigation techniques can be critical.
8. Scalability: The ability to scale the network as the number of connected devices grows is essential. Some technologies are better suited to small networks, while others can handle thousands or even millions of devices.
9. Regulatory Compliance: Wireless technologies must comply with regional regulations concerning spectrum use. It's important to choose a technology that is legal and optimized for use in the intended geographical area.
10. Latency: The time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination can be critical in applications like industrial automation where real-time data processing is required.
11. Environmental Factors: The operating environment (indoor/outdoor, urban/rural, temperature extremes, etc.) can greatly affect the performance of wireless technologies.
12. User Requirements and Experience: Consideration of the end-user experience and specific requirements of the application, such as ease of setup and use, can also guide the choice of technology.

About IoT: Devices, antennas, History and Future

• The devices (“Things”) are common everyday devices and equipment, including smartphones, wearables, vehicles, and instruments.
• Each device in the network is uniquely identifiable and able to exchange data with other devices over IP. Devices are embedded with software and connectivity features to enable this communication.

IoT wireless protocols are rapidly developing and as the means for a wide variety of applications which make machines, devices and communications more effective, increase their functionality and enable them to 'speak’ to each other.

The term Internet of Things (IoT) was coined by a MIT academic in 1999, and initially referred to Radio Frequency ID (RFID) technology for devices.

Wireless IoT systems use antennas to transmit or receive information and usually operate in association with wireless routers to improve the signal to and from the device they are connected to. They connect to a processor which can then, depending on how it has been programmed, perform an action with any need for user input.

The Role of Antennas in IoT

Wireless IoT systems depend on antennas to transmit and receive signals efficiently.

A properly selected antenna:

• Matches the operating frequency band
• Optimizes gain and radiation pattern
• Improves signal strength
• Extends communication range
• Reduces power consumption

IoT devices connect to processors or microcontrollers that interpret received data and trigger automated responses without human intervention.

As IoT continues to evolve, wireless protocols and antenna technologies are becoming more advanced, enabling smarter cities, automated industries, connected agriculture, and real-time analytics across the globe.

Conclusion

Selecting the right IoT wireless protocol starts with understanding frequency band behavior. Sub-GHz bands such as 433/868/915 MHz excel at long range, strong penetration, and low power operation—making them ideal for LPWAN sensors and wide-area monitoring. The 2.4 GHz band offers global availability and supports popular short-range standards like Bluetooth, Zigbee, and many Wi-Fi deployments, but it can face interference in crowded environments. Higher-frequency options such as 5 GHz and mmWave deliver higher throughput and lower latency, yet trade off range and building penetration, making them better suited for high-bandwidth or line-of-sight applications.

Because real-world IoT deployments vary widely, the “best” solution depends on the full system requirements: range, data rate, power budget, network topology, security, cost, interference tolerance, scalability, regulations, latency, and environmental conditions. Equally important, wireless performance is only as strong as the RF hardware supporting it—especially the antenna. A properly matched antenna can improve signal strength, extend coverage, reduce retries, and even lower power consumption by helping devices transmit more efficiently.

In short, IoT success comes from aligning protocol + frequency band + antenna design to the application’s needs. With the right combination, IoT systems become more reliable, scalable, and cost-effective—enabling connected devices to communicate efficiently across homes, factories, farms, cities, and remote environments worldwide.