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The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart agriculture has transformed farming practices by enabling real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and automation. However, ensuring reliable connectivity in diverse agricultural environments remains a critical challenge. This paper analyzes the performance trade-offs between Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN)—specifically LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and Sigfox—and cellular networks (4G/5G) in agricultural applications. Beyond a comprehensive literature review (2020–2024), this study evaluates hybrid LPWAN–5G architectures that integrate the strengths of both network types to enhance cost-efficiency and connectivity reliability. Using real-world case studies, the findings demonstrate that hybrid LPWAN–5G models can reduce connectivity costs by up to 30% while significantly improving network reliability in remote agricultural settings. This work provides actionable recommendations for selecting optimal IoT connectivity solutions based on agricultural requirements and proposes future research directions to further optimize IoT infrastructure in smart farming.

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Reliable and Cost-Efficient IoT Connectivity for Smart Agriculture: A Comparative Study of LPWAN, 5G, and Hybrid Connectivity Models

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Mohamed Shabeer Mohamed Rafi,
  • Mehran Behjati,
  • Ahmad Sahban Rafsanjani

摘要

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart agriculture has transformed farming practices by enabling real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and automation. However, ensuring reliable connectivity in diverse agricultural environments remains a critical challenge. This paper analyzes the performance trade-offs between Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN)—specifically LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and Sigfox—and cellular networks (4G/5G) in agricultural applications. Beyond a comprehensive literature review (2020–2024), this study evaluates hybrid LPWAN–5G architectures that integrate the strengths of both network types to enhance cost-efficiency and connectivity reliability. Using real-world case studies, the findings demonstrate that hybrid LPWAN–5G models can reduce connectivity costs by up to 30% while significantly improving network reliability in remote agricultural settings. This work provides actionable recommendations for selecting optimal IoT connectivity solutions based on agricultural requirements and proposes future research directions to further optimize IoT infrastructure in smart farming.