By
November 20, 2023
Think the Internet-of-Things (IoT) only runs on cellular or wireless broadband? Think again when you need a big bandwidth solution for your next project.
IoT has rapidly expanded beyond mobile devices and wearables, to a world where almost any ‘thing’ can be connected to the internet. But as our demand for bandwidth soars, government organisations and private enterprises – whether large or small - need resilient, faster, and more reliable connections.
In the past, IoT has primarily relied on wireless or cellular connectivity to connect non-premise locations but now with Chorus Smart Locations, just about anything from traffic lights to outdoor billboards can be connected to Chorus' extensive fibre network via small optical network terminals (ONTs).
Here’s why you should ‘think fibre’ for your next IoT project:
1. Fibre’s reliable and resilient
As a fixed line connection, fibre offers consistent and reliable connectivity with less latency and less variation in speed at peak times than wireless connections. Wireless connections use radio signals and can be more prone to congestion depending on demand on the nearest cell-tower.*
Everyday weather, like rain, and environmental obstacles, like bushes and trees, can affect the strength of the signal with wireless connections. Fibre’s not only resilient against weather and obstacles, fibre’s passive and flexible and its underground cables offer good resilience from fire, floods and even earthquakes – key events when you need your smart city IoT infrastructure to be working.
2. Fibre can scale for future demand
When you set out on a project, it’s not always clear how many connections you may need in the future. Our standard ONT allows for multiple connections and can be scaled up to connect as many devices as you need at a single Smart Location.
Our SFP ONT (small factor pluggable ONT) also allows you to connect fibre in small spaces where a standard ONT may not work or has limited power options.
3. You can’t beat fibre’s speed
The most popular business fibre service for Smart Locations, the Small Business Fibre 500 plan, has an upload speed that’s over 20 times the speed of your average 4G fixed wireless connection.** All that upload speed is crucial for reactive and tracking technology used to monitor traffic, crowds, or energy.
4. New Zealand’s fibre network is world-class
With 87% of the population in over 400 New Zealand towns and cities now being able to access fibre, there is a good chance a fibre access point is nearby to enable your big bandwidth IoT project.
5. Fibre is the greener choice for data
Research confirms fibre’s sustainability credentials, producing up to 96% less carbon emissions than competing technology at speeds over 50 Mbps. At 300 Mbps, fibre’s still 77% more efficient than 5G fixed wireless, making it the smarter choice for environmentally conscious businesses and government agencies.^
6. Long-term operational efficiencies
Choosing a fibre connection can be a cost-effective decision. Though there might be some initial costs associated with the installation and build of the connection (may be minimal for some), on this future-proofed technology you can reap the benefits long term.
Find out more about Chorus Smart Locations, or talk to us about your next IoT project now.
* As supported by findings in the Measuring Broadband New Zealand report September 2023, relating to download/upload speeds, difference in speeds between peak and off peak times and latency. There’s a lot that contributes to speed and performance of a broadband service to find out more go to www.chorus.co.nz/performance.
** As supported by findings in the Measuring Broadband New Zealand report September 2023. This is based on Fibre Max as SamKnows does not measure the Small Business Fibre 500 plan.
^ Assessing the emissions footprint of the fibre networks relative to other fixed broadband options in New Zealand Source: Sapere Research, 2021