Checking Mobile Connectivity Before Site Planning, Why It Matters

Mobile connectivity is essential for Border Gateways to communicate with the Silvanet Cloud using LTE-M or NB-IoT networks. Verifying connectivity before starting your site plan ensures you select suitable gateway locations and avoid communication issues after deployment.

Why Mobile Connectivity Matters

Border Gateways rely on mobile network access to transmit data from your Silvanet sensors to the cloud.
If a gateway is placed in an area with weak or no cellular coverage, it may fail to connect, resulting in data gaps or network instability.

Confirming mobile connectivity before planning helps:

• Identify areas suitable for Border Gateway placement.

• Avoid planning gateways in poor signal zones.

• Save time and reduce adjustments during deployment.

Understanding Gateway Connectivity Types

All Silvanet Border Gateways use LTE-M or NB-IoT mobile technologies to connect.
The roaming provider depends on the hardware generation:

Additional Gen 3 Feature: Gen 3 Border Gateways include an external SIM slot that allows users to insert a local SIM card of their choice. The SIM must be LTE-M / NB-IoT enabled. This provides flexibility for deployments in regions where Telus coverage may be limited.

Understanding which provider or SIM option your gateway uses helps you check the correct coverage maps and plan your site accurately.

How to Check Connectivity Before Planning

Before planning your site, verifying connectivity ensures reliable Border Gateway performance and helps you make informed placement decisions.

1. Identify the Correct Provider

• Determine whether your deployment will use Gen 2 (Telit) or Gen 3 (Telus) Border Gateways.

• Gen 3 Gateways also include an external SIM slot, allowing you to use a local LTE-M / NB-IoT SIM if needed.

• Understanding the provider or SIM option helps you check the correct coverage maps before planning.

2. Review Coverage Maps

• Consult LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage maps from your regional mobile network operators.

• Focus on the specific roaming provider or SIM option associated with your gateway generation.

• Identify potential weak signal areas and coverage gaps within your deployment zone.

3. Evaluate Border Gateway Placement Options

• If coverage is limited in key areas, consider alternative placement locations.

• Plan to use additional Mesh Gateways to extend network reach into low-coverage zones.

• Document your findings to guide accurate site planning.

When to Conduct On-Site Connectivity Testing

If mobile coverage cannot be confidently confirmed using maps alone, it is recommended to perform on-site connectivity testing before finalizing your plan.

This ensures that:

• Cellular signal strength is sufficient for LTE-M or NB-IoT communication.

• You can accurately position Border Gateways in areas with stable connectivity.

• The risk of failed connections after installation is minimized.

Best Practices

✅ Always confirm which roaming provider (Telit or Telus) applies to your gateway hardware.
✅ Use the most recent LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage data available.
✅ When in doubt, validate in the field, especially for remote or forested environments.
✅ Document connectivity findings in the Silvanet Planning Tool to guide placement decisions.

Note: Verifying mobile connectivity early is one of the simplest ways to ensure a smooth deployment. A few minutes spent checking coverage can prevent costly troubleshooting later in the field.