Purpose:

This policy defines the acceptable packet loss rates for various IoT network types based on industry standards and best practices to ensure reliable and efficient data transmission within our IoT solutions.

Scope:

This policy applies to all IoT projects and deployments within the company, including internal systems and client-facing solutions.

Policy Statement:
  1. Wi-Fi Networks
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: 1-3%
    • Standards Reference: IEEE 802.11 standards recommend maintaining packet loss below 1-2% for real-time applications to ensure quality service in VoIP and video streaming.
  2. LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network)
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: Up to 20%
    • Standards Reference: According to the LoRa Alliance and best practices from The Things Industries, packet loss rates up to 20% are expected due to network congestion, interference, and environmental factors​ such as distance (The Things Industries)​​ (MDPI)​
  3. Sigfox
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: 5-15%
    • Standards Reference: Sigfox’s ultra-narrowband technology allows for higher packet loss tolerance, especially in non-critical applications, as referenced in Sigfox network design guidelines.
  4. NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT)
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: 5%
    • Standards Reference: 3GPP standards for NB-IoT emphasize low latency and high reliability, recommending packet loss rates of less than 5% for applications such as smart meters and environmental monitoring.
  5. Zigbee
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: 1-5%
    • Standards Reference: IEEE 802.15.4 standards and Zigbee Alliance guidelines suggest packet loss rates within 1-5%, leveraging mesh networking to improve reliability.
  6. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: 1-5%
    • Standards Reference: Bluetooth Core Specification for BLE supports low packet loss rates due to short-range communication, suitable for health monitoring and wearable devices.
  7. Cellular IoT (LTE-M, 5G)
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: <1%
    • Standards Reference: 3GPP standards for LTE-M and 5G NR highlight the need for very low packet loss rates, typically below 1%, to support mission-critical applications.
  8. Ethernet
    • Acceptable Packet Loss Rate: <0.1%
    • Standards Reference: IEEE 802.3 standards for Ethernet specify very low packet loss rates, generally less than 0.1%, ensuring high reliability for industrial IoT applications.
Enforcement:

All IoT projects must adhere to these acceptable packet loss rates. Network performance should be monitored regularly, and strategies should be implemented to mitigate packet loss when necessary.

Review:

This policy will be reviewed annually or as required based on changes in industry standards and technological advancements.

References:
  1. IEEE Standards Association – IEEE 802.11, 802.15.4, and 802.3 Standards
  2. LoRa Alliance – LoRaWAN Specification
  3. 3GPP – 3GPP Specifications
  4. Sigfox – Sigfox Technology Overview
  5. Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) – Bluetooth Core Specifications
  6. The Things Industries – Best Practices for LoRaWAN

By adhering to these guidelines, we ensure that our IoT networks maintain high reliability and performance, supporting the diverse needs of our applications and clients.

Policies