IoT Connectivity for Construction Sites: Fiber vs. Satellite vs. Cellular (4G/5G)
Written by: Soracom Team
Published: February 13, 2026
The Site Manager’s Dilemma: Speed vs. Stability vs. Security
When a new construction site breaks ground, project managers and operations directors need reliable, secure connectivity without lengthy installation delays. Remote Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and infrastructure monitoring systems, CCTV towers, geographically dispersed asset tracking, vehicle telematics monitoring, site access controls and emergency response systems all rely on stable, secure connectivity from day one.
Yet, the most common option, fixed-line broadband, often forces sites to wait 6-12 weeks for installation.
So, what is the best alternative? We compared the three main contenders, Fixed Line (Fibre), High-Speed Satellite, and Soracom’s Blended Cellular, to see which one delivers the zero-hassle connectivity required for temporary sites.
1. Fixed Line (Fibre/Broadband)
The “Gold Standard” (If you can get it).
- The Pros: High speed and low latency. Once it is installed, it is rock solid.
- The Cons: The timeline. Relying on Openreach or ISPs to install fibre at a new site typically involves a 6-12 week lead time.
- The Verdict: Perfect for your Permanent HQ, but a project killer for temporary sites. By the time the line is active, your site might already be halfway through its lifecycle. Plus, you often get locked into 12-24 month contracts that don’t match your project length.
2. High-Speed Satellite (e.g., Starlink / LEO)
The “Rural Rescuer.”
- The Pros: True global coverage and high bandwidth. If your site is in the Scottish Highlands or a valley where no cell tower reaches, this is a strong option.
- The Cons: High CapEx and “Line of Sight.” Construction sites are vertical environments, cranes, scaffolding, and urban canyons can block the sky view required for a stable connection. It is often overkill (and over-budget) for standard urban or peri-urban sites.
- The Verdict: A necessary backup for extreme rural locations, but often too expensive and logistically complex for standard rapid deployment CCTV fleets.
3. Soracom Multi-Carrier Cellular (+ NTN Capability)
The “Smart Platform” Solution.
- The Pros: Instant deployment. You can deploy a pre-configured router on Day 1 to get site offices and CCTV online immediately.
- The Soracom Edge: Unlike a standard consumer SIM, Soracom provides Multi-Carrier connectivity. If Vodafone or Verizon is down, the SIM automatically switches to another major operator to maintain the video stream.
- The NTN Bonus: Soracom now integrates Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) directly into the platform. While 4G/5G handles your high-bandwidth CCTV, Soracom’s native satellite capability allows you to track assets or sensors in dead zones using the same console. You get the speed of cellular for video, with the “reach anywhere” capability of satellite for tracking, without managing two separate vendors.
- The Verdict: The winner for temporary sites. It offers the best balance of speed, cost control, and platform consolidation.
Summary: Why Cellular Wins for High-Data Sites
For 90% of temporary sites, the ability to get online in 24 hours outweighs the raw throughput of fibre.
When you combine 5G speeds with data pooling (to share data across all your active sites) and active/standby scheduling (to stop paying when the project ends), Soracom becomes the only logical choice for maintaining margin and security.
Need to get your job site online tomorrow? Book a Project Data Scoping Session with our team to spec your router and data needs today.
