Private Radio vs. Cellular
Selection Criteria for M2M Deployments
Understanding the pros and cons that come with implementing both a private radio/narrowband solution versus utilizing a
commercial carrier/cellular data network is integral in developing your strategy based on the needs of your organization. While a
private radio/narrowband strategy offers the highest level of security, it fails to provide the data throughput available with the
roll out of 3G/4G services offered through commercial networks. Building redundancy into your private network through back-up
power or additional sites might ensure uptime, but could drive infrastructure costs to unsustainable levels while still not being
able to meet growing bandwidth requirements.
Forward thinking companies across industries are employing a strategy that uses both private and commercial networks. They
are relying on private networks for mission critical operations, which are typically low-bandwidth applications, and off-loading the
high-bandwidth non-critical applications to a commercial carrier. A blended strategy can also be useful as a redundancy or back
up tool. In the case of a natural disaster when a private system is down, the network can be tied into the public system in that
area or vice versa. This balancing act allows organizations to limit their resource outlay to continually expand and provide
higher-speed services, maintain security for critical applications and provide redundancy or back-up when needed.
Private Radio
Cellular
Slower - Up to 256kbit/s for devices in 100 kHz channels.
Faster – A theoretical net bit rate capacity of up to 100
Mbit/s and an average rate of 15-30 Mbit/s.
More Control - Private radio systems are under your control,
Less Control - The carrier controls the cellular network,
always connected and always available.
meaning that they can determine when to perform
maintenance. However,network coverage in most locations is
not an issue.
Response times are predictable - Private radio networks
Response times are unpredictable - Cellular networks are
are designed, managed and used for the specific needs of an
a shared resource. Cellular systems can become overloaded
organization. The company controls the number of devices on
during a major event or disaster degrading performance or
the system at any time in order to manage performance.
ability to connect. However, in general, availability is good
and cellular speeds are much faster than narrowband.
Costs are predictable - Initial costs are much higher in
Ongoing costs are unpredictable - Initial costs are low,
relation to building and developing the network. Once
however, data costs are based on usage based on estimated
established, there are no monthly data costs, however the
consumption. However, if the data consumption is over the
system is bounded by its designed capacity. That capacity
estimated need, data will continue to flow, but at a higher
cannot be exceeded without additional investment.
cost. There are no costs associated with maintaining or
upgrading the network.
More secure - Private radio systems are more secure. Access Less secure - Cellular networks are less secure than one
to the network is restricted and managed to a company’s
that is completely managed internally. However, over-the-air
requirements and standards. Over-the-air data can be
data is encrypted and private network access can be
encrypted and authentication can be set at the device or
controlled by the carriers.
application level.
Network must be maintained - Network coverage must be
Network is maintained by carrier - Network is designed,
designed, built and maintained.
managed and maintained by the cellular public carrier.
Comparison Sheet
CALAMP PRODUCT ROUND-UP
PRIVATE RADIO
Viper SC+
More Speed. More Intelligence.
The CalAmp Viper SC+ is an intelligent, point-to-multipoint bridge or router for
licensed narrowband spectrum holders.
Highly secure, intelligent and versatile narrowband spectrum router available
Up to 256 kbps speeds for reliable delivery of business critical data
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Data Compression and IP Optimization for optimal use of available bandwidth
Highly secure VLAN, designed to meet FIPS 140-2
QoS Services can be optimized to ensure critical data is delivered.
Ideal for Utilities, Water/Wastewater, Oil & Gas
Browser configuration, diagnostics and OTA updates
CELLULAR
Vanguard 3000
Uniquely designed for operation on both GSM and CDMA networks, Vanguard 3000
offers more choice and redundancy in carrier networks.
Multiple carriers in a single device
Browser configuration, diagnostics and OTA updates
GRE tunneling, local IP, IPsec, VPN client and WAN gateways
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Optional local and remote GPS for AVL and local mapping
Optional Wi-Fi client and access point
Ideal for Utilities, Transportation, Public Safety
DUAL TECHNOLOGY, MIXED MODE DEPLOYABLE
Fusion
Multi-network LTE Router
This ready-to-deploy broadband router enables wireless data connectivity over
public and private LTE cellular networks at 4G speeds.
Band 13 or 17 LTE for public infrastructure
Band 14 LTE for private infrastructure
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Superior wireless performance with MIMO capabilities
Secure IPSec VPN connectivity
Autonomous SBAS enabled GPS with local and remote
Ideal for Utilities, Transportation, Public Safety
About CalAmp
CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP) is a proven leader in providing wireless communications solutions to a broad array of
vertical market applications and customers. CalAmp’s extensive portfolio of intelligent communications devices,
robust and scalable cloud service platform, and targeted software applications streamline otherwise complex
machine-to-machine (M2M) deployments. These solutions enable customers to optimize their operations by
collecting, monitoring and efficiently reporting business-critical data and desired intelligence from high-value
remote assets. For more information, please visit www.calamp.com.
© 2014 CalAmp. All specifications are typical and subject to change without notice.
p/n 0232-0001 rev 20140228
CalAmp
1401 N. Rice Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93030
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www.calamp.com