Amazon Sidewalk vs Hubble Network: Which IoT Connectivity Platform for Asset Tracking and Remote Monitoring?

Introduction

If you’re building an IoT device that needs connectivity outside a home (asset trackers, environmental sensors, industrial monitors), you face a fundamental choice: Amazon Sidewalk or Hubble Network.

Amazon Sidewalk offers multiprotocol connectivity across 90% of the US using Amazon’s Echo and Ring devices. Hubble Network pioneers Bluetooth to satellite technology for global coverage, including oceans, deserts, and remote industrial sites.

The short answer: If your devices stay in the US and need low latency communication, Amazon Sidewalk is cost effective. If your devices travel internationally, work off grid, or require hardware flexibility, Hubble Network is the better choice.

This guide examines both platforms across architecture, pricing, hardware requirements, and real world deployment scenarios to help you make the right decision.

Network Architecture & Technology

Amazon Sidewalk

Amazon Sidewalk is a multiprotocol network that uses three distinct radio technologies to provide flexible connectivity options:

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) at 2.4 GHz for short distance communication (tens of meters)
• Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) at 900 MHz for medium range connectivity (up to ~100 meters)
• LoRa (Chirp Spread Spectrum/CSS) at 900 MHz for long range communication (up to 1 km)

The network operates through Sidewalk Gateways: Amazon Echo and Ring devices that customers opt into sharing. These gateways share a small portion of their internet bandwidth (maximum 80 Kbps per gateway, capped at 500 MB monthly per account) to create network coverage. This crowdsourced approach currently provides coverage to over 90% of the US population.

Data rates vary by protocol. BLE offers the fastest speeds with a 1 Mbps PHY and 255 byte maximum payload. FSK provides 50 kbps PHY with 250 byte payload. CSS/LoRa delivers 2 kbps PHY with smaller payloads for maximum range.

Hubble Network

Hubble Network takes a fundamentally different approach by focusing exclusively on Bluetooth Low Energy and pioneering the world’s first Bluetooth to satellite connection. The architecture consists of two components:

Terrestrial Network: Hubble’s ground-based infrastructure leverages strategic partnerships to deliver Bluetooth coverage across urban, indoor, and in-transit environments.

Satellite Network: Hubble’s space-based infrastructure extends connectivity to remote, off-grid locations. The satellites use specialized phased array antennas to detect Bluetooth signals from low Earth orbit.

The breakthrough innovation is that off the shelf Bluetooth chips can connect to satellites with only a firmware update. No hardware modifications required. Hubble’s engineering team solved significant technical challenges including Doppler effect compensation and signal amplification to make this possible.

Technical Comparison Table

Bluetooth Compatibility

Amazon Sidewalk

Amazon Sidewalk supports Bluetooth Low Energy as one of three protocol options, but BLE is primarily used for short range communication and device onboarding. The platform requires:

• Sidewalk specific chipsets certified through the “Works with Amazon Sidewalk” qualification program
• Hardware from approved partners including Quectel, Texas Instruments, Semtech, Silicon Labs, and Nordic Semiconductor
• Support for multiple radio protocols on a single device (BLE and/or FSK required for automatic onboarding, with optional LoRa support)

Devices can use BLE for initial setup and then switch to FSK or LoRa for operational communication, providing flexibility but adding hardware complexity.

Hubble Network

Hubble Network’s pure BLE approach offers significant advantages for developers:

• Works with off the shelf Bluetooth chips: no specialized hardware required
• Firmware only integration via SDK (no hardware modifications needed)
• Vendor agnostic: no lock in to specific chip manufacturers or suppliers
• Simplified BOM (Bill of Materials): single radio solution reduces component costs

The Hubble SDK modifies the BLE transmission parameters to enable satellite communication. This means existing Bluetooth capable devices can be retrofitted for global connectivity through a software update.

Developer Experience

Amazon Sidewalk

Onboarding Process: Developers can provision and register devices through multiple methods:

• AWS IoT Console (web based interface)
• AWS CLI commands for scripted deployment
• AWS IoT Wireless API operations for programmatic integration

Integration Ecosystem: Once connected, devices gain access to the full AWS ecosystem including over 200 services such as Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, and SageMaker for machine learning applications.

Certification Requirements: Devices must complete the “Works with Amazon Sidewalk” qualification program, which includes:

• Protocol conformance testing
• Security validation
• Interoperability verification with Sidewalk gateways

Developer Tools:

• Preprovisioned security certificates for simplified setup
• Frustration Free Networking (FFN) for automatic onboarding
• AWS IoT Device Shadow for device state management
• Comprehensive documentation at docs.aws.amazon.com

Complexity Level: Moderate to high. Developers need familiarity with AWS IoT Core concepts, IAM policies, and the broader AWS ecosystem.

Hubble Network

Onboarding Process: Developers integrate through a streamlined approach:

• SDK integration via documentation at docs.hubble.com
• Device registration through Hubble’s platform
• API access for data retrieval and management

Integration Ecosystem: Hubble provides a Cloud API that streams data directly to customer platforms and workflows. The architecture is designed to integrate with existing systems rather than requiring migration to a specific cloud provider.

Certification Requirements: No formal qualification program. Developers can start building immediately with standard Bluetooth hardware.

Developer Tools:

• Lightweight SDK for firmware integration
• RESTful API for data access
• End to end encryption by default
• Developer documentation and support

Complexity Level: Low to moderate. Simpler onboarding with a smaller learning curve. The SDK handles most complexity, allowing developers to focus on application logic.

Pricing Comparison

Amazon Sidewalk

Amazon Sidewalk’s pricing model separates network connectivity from cloud service usage:

Network Connectivity: No direct charge to use the Sidewalk network itself

AWS IoT Core Costs (variable, usage based):

• Connectivity: Approximately $0.042 per device per year for 24/7 connection (US East region)
• Messaging: Charged per message, metered in 5KB increments
• Device Shadow: Charged per operation (GetThingShadow, UpdateThingShadow)
• Registry Operations: Charged per API call (CreateThing, UpdateThing, etc.)
• Rules Engine: Charged per rule execution and action

Reality: While the Sidewalk network itself is free to use, AWS IoT Core charges apply to all connected devices. Total cost varies significantly based on your usage patterns.

AWS Free Tier: New AWS accounts receive 12 months of free usage including:

• 250,000 messages per month
• 225,000 Registry operations per month
• 3,000 minutes of connection per month
• Device Shadow operations

Estimated Total Cost: Ranges from $0.50 to $5+ per device annually, depending on message frequency, shadow operations, and rules engine usage. High volume messaging applications may see higher costs.

Hubble Network

Hubble Network offers simplified, predictable pricing:

Base Pricing: $1 to $2 per device per month ($12 to $24 per device annually)

What’s Included:

• Network access (both terrestrial and satellite connectivity)
• Data transmission and API access
• Location telemetry
• End to end encryption

Volume Discounts: Available for:

• Large scale deployments (thousands or more devices)
• Long term contract commitments
• Enterprise partnerships

Estimated Total Cost: $12 to $24 per device per year at list pricing, with potential for significant discounts at scale.

Cost Analysis

Amazon Sidewalk offers lower costs for applications with minimal messaging within the United States, while Hubble Network provides more predictable pricing and is the only option for global deployments.

Real World Pricing Examples

Important Note: Amazon Sidewalk requires AWS IoT Core Device Location service for positioning ($1 per 1,000 location resolutions). This significantly impacts total cost for tracking applications.

*Includes estimated 30% volume discount
**Includes 50%+ enterprise volume discount

Key Insights

At enterprise scale (100K+ devices), Hubble Network is cost-competitive across most update frequencies when volume discounts are applied, with the added benefit of global coverage.

At medium scale (10K devices), the winner depends on update frequency:

• Daily to 4-hour updates: Amazon Sidewalk wins on price (US only)
• Hourly updates: Roughly comparable pricing
• 15-minute updates: Hubble Network wins

At small scale (1K devices), Amazon Sidewalk is more cost-effective for infrequent updates, assuming US-only deployment meets your requirements.

Update frequency drives Amazon Sidewalk costs linearly. At $1 per 1,000 location resolutions:

• Every 15 minutes: $34.56/device/year (2,880 locations/month)
• Every hour: $8.64/device/year (720 locations/month)
• Every 4 hours: $2.16/device/year (180 locations/month)
• Once daily: $1.05/device/year (30 locations/month)

Hubble Network pricing remains flat regardless of update frequency, making it increasingly attractive as update requirements increase. The fixed monthly rate simplifies budgeting and financial planning.

Location Accuracy & Positioning

Amazon Sidewalk

Amazon Sidewalk devices can leverage the AWS IoT Core Device Location service to determine position without GPS modules:

• Positioning Methods: BLE proximity, Wi-Fi triangulation, or GNSS data
• Accuracy: Varies based on gateway density and available signal sources
• Integration: Optional service that resolves geo coordinates via API call
• Cost: Separate from connectivity charges (1,000 free location resolutions in first 12 months)

This approach works well in dense urban environments with many Sidewalk gateways but may have reduced accuracy in rural areas.

Hubble Network

Hubble Network provides location capabilities through its dual network architecture:

• Terrestrial Network: Location via proximity to access points
• Satellite Network: Global positioning without terrestrial infrastructure dependency
• Accuracy: Optimized for asset tracking and supply chain visibility use cases
• Integration: Location data included in standard telemetry
• Cost: Included in base pricing

The satellite component enables location tracking in areas completely outside traditional network coverage, including oceans, deserts, and remote industrial sites.

Gateway Contribution & Network Expansion

Amazon Sidewalk

Gateway Model: Customer opt in crowdsourcing

• Only Amazon Echo and Ring device owners can contribute gateways
• Customers choose whether to enable Sidewalk (can be disabled anytime)
• Each gateway shares maximum 80 Kbps bandwidth with 500 MB monthly cap

Network Control: Fully managed by Amazon. Customers cannot deploy independent gateways.

Expansion Strategy: Network coverage grows as Amazon sells more Echo and Ring devices and as existing customers opt into Sidewalk.

Geographic Limitation: Expansion depends entirely on Amazon’s device footprint in new markets.

Hubble Network

Gateway Model: Company managed infrastructure

• Terrestrial access points are deployed and managed through partnerships
• Satellite constellation is company owned and operated

Network Control: Centrally managed by Hubble, not crowdsourced.

Expansion Strategy:

• Strategic partnerships to expand terrestrial coverage
• Satellite launches following defined roadmap
• Independent of consumer device adoption

Geographic Availability

Current Coverage

Amazon Sidewalk

• Current Deployment: United States only
• AWS Region Support: us-east-1 exclusively
• Coverage Quality: Excellent in suburban and urban areas with high Echo/Ring adoption
• Future Plans: Amazon has indicated intentions for global expansion but hasn’t announced specific timelines
• Limitation: Expansion requires Amazon device market penetration in new regions

Hubble Network

• Terrestrial Network: Live and expanding in developed markets
• Satellite Constellation: Operational and growing
• Unique Advantage: Coverage extends to areas with zero terrestrial infrastructure

Use Case Suitability

Amazon Sidewalk Excels At:

Smart Home Applications

• Door locks and security sensors
• Environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, water leaks)
• Smart lighting control
• Garage door openers and actuators

Urban Asset Tracking

• Package and pallet tracking within US distribution networks
• Fleet management in metropolitan areas
• Equipment tracking on job sites with good gateway coverage

Frequent Update Requirements

• Applications needing second to minute update intervals
• Bidirectional communication needs (commands and telemetry)
• Realtime alerting and notifications

AWS Integrated Solutions

• Applications already using AWS cloud services
• Scenarios requiring Lambda functions, ML inference, or complex rules engine logic
• Developers with existing AWS expertise

Hubble Network Excels At:

Global Asset Tracking

• International shipping and logistics (containers, cargo)
• Cross border supply chain visibility
• Maritime tracking (vessels, equipment)

Remote Monitoring

• Oil and gas infrastructure in remote locations
• Agricultural sensors in rural areas
• Mining equipment in off grid sites
• Environmental monitoring in wilderness areas

Infrequent Update Patterns

• Daily check ins sufficient (temperature logs, status updates)
• Send only telemetry (sensor readings, location pings)
• Battery constrained devices prioritizing longevity

Hardware Flexibility

• Multi vendor hardware strategies
• Existing Bluetooth enabled device fleets
• Rapid prototyping with commercial BLE modules

Predictable Cost Structures

• Fixed budget requirements
• Large scale deployments requiring cost certainty
• CFO friendly pricing models

Data Transmission Capabilities

Amazon Sidewalk

Data Characteristics:

• Supports frequent updates with low latency
• Bidirectional communication enables device commands and OTA updates
• Multiple payload size options based on radio selection
• Suitable for interactive applications requiring acknowledgments

Sensor Support: All sensor types through AWS IoT integration—motion, temperature, humidity, pressure, light, sound, vibration, and custom sensor data

Hubble Network

Data Characteristics:

• Optimized for power-efficient, periodic updates
• Focus on uplink telemetry (sensor readings to cloud)
• Ideal for monitoring applications where periodic updates suffice

Sensor Support: Optimized for tracking and monitoring use cases—location, temperature, humidity, shock/vibration, motion detection, asset status

Security & Privacy

Amazon Sidewalk

Encryption: Three layers of encryption protect data in transit

• Application layer encryption
• Network layer encryption
• Transport layer encryption

Authentication: Preprovisioned security certificates ensure device authenticity

Privacy Protections:

• Gateway owners cannot view data from Sidewalk endpoint devices
• Endpoint owners cannot access gateway information
• One way hashing and rotating device IDs minimize data correlation
• Gateway routing information automatically deleted after 24 hours

Additional Security: AWS IoT Device Defender integration for fleet wide anomaly detection and alerting

Hubble Network

Encryption: End to end encryption from device to destination

Data Ownership: Customer owns and controls all data

• Data secured throughout transmission
• Customer responsible for appropriate use cases

Privacy Architecture: Device to destination encryption ensures data security across both terrestrial and satellite networks

Both platforms implement robust security. AWS offers more granular control through additional AWS security services, while Hubble provides simplified end to end encryption out of the box.

Technical Limitations & Tradeoffs

Amazon Sidewalk Limitations

• Geographic Constraint: US only availability limits global applications
• Gateway Dependency: Coverage requires sufficient Echo/Ring device density
• Hardware Complexity: Multiple radio devices increase BOM costs and design complexity
• Ecosystem Lock In: Deep AWS integration makes migration challenging
• Bandwidth Caps: Per gateway limits could impact high density deployments
• Customer Opt In: Network reliability depends on gateway owners keeping Sidewalk enabled

Hubble Network Limitations

• Protocol Restriction: BLE only approach lacks flexibility for very long range terrestrial use cases
• Update Frequency: Satellite coverage windows may not suit realtime applications
• Downlink Limitations: Primarily uplink architecture limits bidirectional use cases
• Pricing Floor: Higher base cost may not suit extremely cost sensitive, low volume applications

Decision Framework

Choose Amazon Sidewalk If You Need:

✓ US exclusive deployment with no global expansion plans
✓ Frequent, bidirectional communication (seconds to minutes)
✓ Existing AWS infrastructure and team expertise
✓ Lowest possible per device cost for high volume, low message deployments
✓ Smart home or urban IoT applications
✓ Realtime interactivity and command/control capabilities

Choose Hubble Network If You Need:

✓ Global coverage including remote and off grid locations
✓ Satellite connectivity for areas without terrestrial infrastructure
✓ Periodic updates (hourly to daily)
✓ Predictable, simple pricing with fixed monthly costs
✓ Vendor agnostic hardware using off the shelf BLE chips
✓ Asset tracking as primary use case
✓ Multi region deployments outside the United States

Hybrid Approach Considerations

Some applications may benefit from using both platforms:

• Use Amazon Sidewalk for high frequency urban sensors, Hubble for remote asset tracking
• Implement dual stack devices that support both networks for maximum resilience

Getting Started Resources

Amazon Sidewalk Resources

• AWS IoT Core for Amazon Sidewalk Documentation
• AWS IoT Core Pricing Calculator
• Works with Amazon Sidewalk Program
• Amazon Sidewalk Developer Guide

Hubble Network Resources

• Quick Start Guide - Build your first device in minutes
• Device SDK Documentation - Complete firmware integration guide
• Cloud API Reference - Backend integration
• Hubble Network Website - Platform overview and pricing
• Contact Sales - Enterprise pricing inquiries

Conclusion

Amazon Sidewalk and Hubble Network represent two distinct approaches to solving IoT connectivity challenges. Amazon Sidewalk leverages Amazon’s massive consumer device ecosystem to create a robust, multiprotocol network optimized for frequent updates and deep AWS integration, but limited to the United States. Hubble Network pioneers satellite enabled Bluetooth connectivity, offering true global coverage with simplified hardware requirements and predictable pricing.

Neither solution is universally superior. The right choice depends on your specific requirements:

• Geography matters: US only applications favor Amazon Sidewalk; global deployments require Hubble Network
• Update frequency matters: Realtime needs suit Amazon Sidewalk; periodic updates fit Hubble Network
• Cost model matters: Variable AWS pricing works for some; fixed Hubble pricing works for others
• Hardware flexibility matters: Multi vendor BLE strategies favor Hubble; AWS integrated solutions favor Sidewalk

The democratization of IoT connectivity continues to accelerate. Whether through crowdsourced community networks or pioneering satellite technology, both Amazon Sidewalk and Hubble Network are making it easier and more affordable to connect devices at global scale.