Cellular Wireless GPS Trackers
What are Cellular Wireless Technologies and Wireless GPS Tracker Devices for Construction?
Wireless GPS tracker devices, such as GPS equipment trackers and GPS fleet trackers, leverage cellular wireless technology as one of the most advanced tracking technologies today. There are several kinds of wireless cellular network technologies for construction equipment management that maximize coverage while optimizing cost and performance.
5G
The newest cellular technology and the fifth-generation for cellular wireless is just starting out now for wireless GPS equipment tracking devices. The investments being made by wireless carriers and predictions from top technology publications forecast bigger applications being used in 2021 and 2022.
4G
Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a newer, fourth-generation cellular technology that is also widely available. Most wireless GPS trackers today leverage this technology as tracking hardware transitions to 5G. It is faster but can also consume a lot of power. To address this, LTE providers may offer other technology options such as NB1.
LTE-M / Cat-M1
LTE-M, sometimes referred to as Cat-M1, is an LTE technology optimized for non-smartphone devices. LTE-M helps to optimize tracker batteries in wireless GPS trackers.
LTE NB-IoT
LTE Narrow Band for Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is like LTE-M but is a newer technology that is even more optimized for longer wireless GPS tracker device battery life.
How Do Wireless Technology and Wireless GPS Trackers Work?
Wireless technology facilitates communication and data sharing through devices that do not have cables or wires. Cellular networks to WiFi is an example of wireless technology. Examples of wireless devices include smart phones, wireless keyboards, routers and mice, wireless GPS trackers and more. Anything that transmits data without the use of a wire or cable is considered a wireless device.
What are Cellular Technologies for Construction Equipment Management?
A variety of cellular wireless technologies are deployed for equipment management and mixed fleets. The below chart gives you an idea of the technology wireless GPS trackers leverage most commonly per asset type.
| Wirelss GPS Tracker Technology |
| Asset Type | 3G | 4G | 5G Predicted |
LTE-M LTE NB-IoT |
| Heavy Equipment Management | ||||
| Fleet Tracking Management | ||||
| Mid-Sized Assets | ||||
| Sites & Yards |
Tenna Cellular Technology Summary
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