LPWAN is an umbrella for technologies that share one design goal: reach a sensor several kilometers away using as little energy as possible, accepting tiny payloads and long delays in exchange. The group splits by spectrum. LoRaWAN, Sigfox and mioty use license-free ISM bands, so anyone can build a network; NB-IoT and LTE-M use licensed operator spectrum and ride on cellular infrastructure.
The choice matters because it shapes the whole product. A water meter that reports once a day is a classic LPWAN case; a camera or a device that needs firmware updates over the air is not, because the bandwidth is simply not there. Buyers also weigh who owns the network and what happens if an operator leaves the market. The IoT connectivity overview compares them.
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