--- title: "Low-Power IoT Device Design: How to Optimize Connectivity" url: "https://onomondo.com/blog/low-power-iot-report/" description: Discover power-saving IoT connectivity options in this new white paper with transparent test results. Learn how to reduce power usage with three smart choices. date_published: 2023-03-20 date_modified: 2026-03-10 content_type: Post site_name: Onomondo site_url: "https://onomondo.com/" --- # Low-Power IoT Device Design: How to Optimize Connectivity > Discover power-saving IoT connectivity options in this new white paper with transparent test results. Learn how to reduce power usage with three smart choices. ###### White paper ###### 20.03.2023 # Low-Power IoT Device Design: How to Optimize Connectivity ![](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2023/04/04111231/Henrik-modified-scaled-e1741083164632-1024x781.jpg) ###### Henrik Aagaard CTO & Co-founder [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrikaagaard/ "See Henrik Aagaard Linkedin profile") ![low power iot device design](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2023/04/19155411/low-power-iot-device-design-1200x627-mb-1024x535.jpg) Optimizing how much power devices use is a key part of the Internet of Things (IoT) reaching its full potential. Low-power IoT devices will open up new ways to track assets, monitor the environment, use smart meters, connect cars, and do much more. In our new white paper, we look at different ways to connect IoT devices that can help them use less power and last longer. Thanks to innovations in networks, it’s possible to massively reduce the power consumption of IoT devices. ![](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2023/04/19155511/designing-low-power-iot-devices-white-paper-k.jpeg) This form requires JavaScript to function. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. ## Why is low-power IoT important? For IoT to scale and new use cases to come onto the market, IoT devices need to become smaller, cheaper, and more power efficient. In many large-scale tracking cases, the battery itself is around 70% of the total material cost of an IoT device. By making devices more power efficient, it becomes possible to spend less on batteries to make the product you need. The battery also plays a significant role in the size of an IoT device. This is a significant problem in many IoT use cases, especially when tracking assets, people, or animals. Finally, the longer your device can function, the longer you can create value from it. If you need to switch batteries or have some other kind of human interaction with devices due to power issues, the commercial model of the IoT device is simply lost in many cases. In summary, more power-efficient devices mean: 1. Longer lasting devices 2. More compact products 3. New IoT use cases ## Three methods for reducing power consumption In this report, we take an already low-power IoT device and reduce its power consumption even further. The device we tested on was a [Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160](https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf9160). We used LTE-M networks and the eDRX power saving feature during our tests, which were based on two scenarios: 1. Idle 2. Active data transmission ![](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2023/04/19155615/base-device-idle-and-transmission-k-1024x664.png) **Base line power consumption for low-power IoT device test.**LTE-M and eDRX are already good decisions when optimizing for power consumption. You can read more about LTE-M and power saving modes in this popular article: [NB-IoT vs. LTE-M: A Comparison of the Two IoT Technologies](https://onomondo.com/blog/nb-iot-vs-lte-m-a-comparison-of-the-two-iot-technology-standards/). There are many things we, as the operator, are involved in that affect power consumption without touching the device or the cloud. Now, we put forth three more connectivity decisions that will reduce power consumption even further. 1. The SIM 2. Data transmission 3. Coverage ## Removing SIM hardware The [Onomondo SoftSIM](https://onomondo.com/product/softsim/) is a SIM application that performs all of the functionality of a UICC SIM card but does not require any kind of extra data storage. i.e., it doesn’t require a SIM chip. Instead, the SoftSIM is stored on the existing memory and processor of the device, optimizing power consumption and reducing the bill of materials for devices. ## No-code cloud connectors [Onomondo’s no-code cloud connectors](https://onomondo.com/product/connectors/) move the burden of handling cloud SDKs onto the network. In this report, we show you how data transmission of a 100-byte payload with the Onomondo Azure IoT Connector can limit data transmission to 1 packet, an unmeasurably short time span, and less than 150 bytes from the original of over 8000. ![](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2023/04/19155703/low-power-iot-softsim-and-connectors-k-1024x590.png) **Optimized power consumption with SoftSIM and Connector.**## Improving coverage Finally, we demonstrate how removing PLMN lists from SIMs can reduce power consumption thanks to improved signal strength and fewer disconnection events. By letting the SIM automatically choose a network with a good enough signal level, your device will typically latch on to the base station that is the nearest and has the best quality. You can read more about non-steered SIMs here: [Improve Coverage with Automatic Network Selection](https://onomondo.com/blog/improve-coverage-with-automatic-network-selection/). If you use steered SIMs, on the other hand, the prioritized network your device chooses may have poor signal quality, increasing the chance of packet loss, disconnection events, and other poor quality of service (QoS) issues. ![](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2023/04/19155744/non-steered-sims-signal-quality-k-1024x379.png) **Signal strength results from non-steered SIMs field tests.**## Read the white paper Download the white paper now and discover power-saving IoT connectivity options in this new white paper with transparent test results. This form requires JavaScript to function. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. ### Build your own network Enhance signal quality and network control with non-steered SIM cards. Connect all your devices securely to a global network with Onomondo. [ See our Global IoT SIMs ](https://onomondo.com/product/global-iot-sim/) ### Start testing Onomondo for free Ready to experience next-generation IoT connectivity? Create an account, explore the platform, and start testing Onomondo’s IoT SIM cards for free. [ Get started ](https://onomondo.com/pricing/) ## Related articles Read more about the topic ![Remote SIM Provisioning for IoT](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2026/04/21115413/Remote-SIM-Provisioning-featured-1024x536.png) Articles###### Remote SIM Provisioning: What is it and how it works for IoT Connectivity Basics IoT SIM Learn what Remote SIM Provisioning is, how it works, and why it matters for IoT deployments – from eUICC fundamentals to SGP.32, form factors, and real-world benefits. [ Read more ](https://onomondo.com/blog/remote-sim-provisioning-iot/) ![iSIM](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2026/03/01092112/iSIM-1024x536.png) Articles###### What is an IoT iSIM? How it works, benefits, and why it matters IoT / M2M SIMs If you’re building IoT devices today, you’re likely looking at traditional, physical SIM form factors, and possibly embedded SIMs. But there’s a newer form factor starting to reshape how connectivity is designed: iSIMs. So what actually changes with iSIMs—and when do they make sense to use? We break it down in this article. [ Read more ](https://onomondo.com/blog/what-is-an-iot-isim/) ![SGP.32 eSIM IoT interview with Henrik Aagaard](https://cdn.growth.onomondo.com/app/uploads/2026/03/31085742/eSIM-IoT-Henriks-interview-1024x576.png) Articles###### “eSIM IoT isn’t connectivity – it’s a device capability”. An interview about SGP.32 with Henrik Aagaard Future-proofing IoT IoT SIM You’ve probably heard a lot about eSIM IoT, SGP.32 – how much of it is substance and how much is noise? Henrik Aagaard separates the wheat from the chaff. [ Read more ](https://onomondo.com/blog/esim-iot-isnt-connectivity-its-a-device-capability-an-interview-about-sgp-32-with-henrik-aagaard/) --- *This is a machine-readable version of [Low-Power IoT Device Design: How to Optimize Connectivity](https://onomondo.com/blog/low-power-iot-report/).* *Last updated: March 10, 2026* ## About Onomondo Onomondo is a global cellular IoT connectivity platform providing IoT SIM cards, eSIM, and SoftSIM with a management platform, real-time diagnostics, and cloud integrations. Operates across 680+ networks in 180+ countries. Founded 2012, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. ISO 27001:2022 certified. - Website: https://onomondo.com - Documentation: https://docs.onomondo.com - Knowledge Base: https://help.onomondo.com