Licensed vs. Unlicensed Frequency in Street Lighting – Does it Matter? (Part 1)

Part 1: Overview “Smart street lighting” earns that designation mainly because it is networked, enabling it to both send and receive data from a central management system (CMS). With smart (networked) streetlights, utility companies, municipal lighting managers, Departments of Transportation (DOTs), and other system owners gain significantly greater control over their lighting networks—whether managing individual luminaires, groups of lights by street or neighborhood, or even the entire grid.

That is why it is critical for manufacturers of luminaires and street lighting control systems—such as us—to evaluate the most effective ways to ensure their solutions meet the specific needs of the environments in which they are deployed. One of the key considerations is whether streetlights should operate using licensed or unlicensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum bands.

This three-part blog series presents my perspective on how these two options differ, along with the benefits and potential challenges associated with each.

Licensed vs. Unlicensed Frequency – What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between licensed and unlicensed RF frequencies? The simple answer is that operating on licensed frequencies requires obtaining a regulatory license (for example, from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States), whereas unlicensed frequencies can be used without such authorization.

However, selecting the appropriate frequency type goes beyond regulatory requirements. Understanding the broader implications is essential when designing and deploying a reliable communication network. This is particularly important for critical applications such as emergency services and public street lighting, both of which play a key role in public safety.

Network Reliability Is Key

The success of any smart streetlighting or smart city deployment depends heavily on the robustness of the underlying communication network. A more robust network leads to higher reliability—resulting in a more dependable and resilient solution.