The keypad at your gate has to reach your management software somehow. Whether it does that over a wired internet connection or over a cellular network decides what the install costs, what happens the next time service drops, and whether a gate at the far end of the property is practical at all.
Cellular gate access control has become the common answer at self-storage facilities. It is not automatic, though. A wired keypad still wins in some places, and the deciding factor is usually whatever already reaches your entrance.
Here is how each connection type actually works, what each one costs to get in the ground, and which fits the site you have.
How Internet Gate Access Control Systems Work
A wired keypad reaches your management software over the building’s own connection, either WiFi or an Ethernet run out to the gate. Our internet models use CAT6 with PoE, so a single cable carries both the data and the power the unit needs.
Pros:
Internet-based control systems offer a high-speed, stable connection when a reliable network is available. They also provide real-time tracking, instant updates, and remote monitoring which allows facility owners to control access, view logs, and receive alerts through web-based interfaces or smartphone apps.
Moreover, internet gate access control systems seamlessly integrate with existing property management software, which helps streamline facility operations and provide secure access for tenants. This integration enables automatic tenant access updates based on payment status and lease agreements.
Cons:
However, while internet systems offer advanced features, facility owners must be aware of potential higher upfront costs due to initial installation and wiring. Additionally, facilities may face challenges when choosing internet-based systems as they’re dependent on the local internet infrastructure. Facilities may also experience potential downtime due to internet outages, maintenance, or connectivity issues in remote areas.
How Cellular Gate Access Control Systems Work
A cellular keypad carries its own connection. It reaches your management software over a 4G or 5G mobile network, the same way a phone does, so it runs independently of whatever internet the building has, including at gates WiFi never reached.
Pros:
Cellular-based control systems allow operators and property managers to remotely monitor their facilities in real-time without relying on a traditional internet infrastructure that may affect remote areas. This choice is particularly advantageous in locations with unreliable internet access, as it ensures continued operation (due to redundancy) regardless of local network failures.
Additionally, these systems offer easy installation (due to a lack of extensive wiring) and are often seen as more secure against cyber-attacks since they’re not exposed to the local internet.
Cons:
The real constraint is signal. A cellular keypad needs usable coverage at the gate itself, and the far edge of a rural parcel is exactly where you confirm that rather than assume it. Good reception on your own phone is not proof, either, since the keypad’s data plan may run on a different carrier. Check it at the entrance before you order.
What Each Option Costs to Install
The real cost difference between the two shows up before either keypad is switched on, and it comes down mostly to what already reaches the gate.
A wired keypad needs a cable run from your building out to the entrance. If conduit is already in the ground and the run is short, that is a small job. If it is not, you are paying to open a trench, and the trench is where the money goes, not the cable inside it. Underground runs cost $10 to $25 per linear foot once excavation, conduit, and labor are counted, so an entrance sitting 200 feet from the nearest building lands somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000 before any access control hardware arrives. The upside is that a single CAT6 run carries both the data and the power on a PoE model, so it is one trench and one cable.
A cellular keypad needs no data cable at all, which is what removes the trench on most sites. It does still need a 110 outlet and a low-voltage wire to the gate operator, so here is the honest version: if power already reaches your entrance, cellular skips the dig. If it does not, you are opening a trench either way, and the math moves back toward wired.
The other tradeoff is ongoing rather than upfront. Cellular units carry a data plan, so you are trading a one-time trenching bill for a predictable recurring fee. Which one lands cheaper depends almost entirely on what is already in the ground. Conduit and power in place with a short run, and a wired keypad is hard to beat. A long run, a second entrance, or an expansion parcel at the edge of the property, and the trench usually decides it on its own.
Internet vs. Cellular Gate Access Control: Which One Fits Your Facility?
Choosing the right gate access control system for your self-storage facility is essential for ensuring advanced security, reliability, and operational efficiency. Both internet-based and cellular gate control solutions offer unique advantages, but the best option depends on your facility’s specific needs, infrastructure, and budget.
When selecting between Internet and cellular-based systems, facility owners should consider the following factors:
| Factors | Internet Gate Access Control | Cellular Gate Access Control |
| Facility Location & Infrastructure | Requires a stable internet connection and is best for urban or well-connected areas. | Works well in remote or rural areas without internet access. |
| Reliability & Redundancy | Prone to disruptions during internet outages. | Provides backup access control if internet service fails. |
| Installation & Maintenance Costs | Higher upfront installation costs due to wiring and setup. | Lower installation costs but require ongoing cellular data fees. |
| Security & Performance | Can provide high-speed, real-time access tracking but depends on network stability. | Reliable in areas with strong cellular signals. |
| Scalability & Flexibility | Can be integrated with existing facility management systems and does not require a separate power connection (uses PoE). | Easier to expand or relocate without worrying about wiring. |
By carefully evaluating these factors, storage facility owners can determine which access control solution best aligns with their operational needs and long-term goals. For reliable and advanced gate access control systems, let’s go over SpiderDoor’s innovative solutions to help transform your facility’s operations.
Invest in SpiderDoor Gate Access Control Solutions
SpiderDoor offers advanced gate access control solutions for storage facilities, including both internet and cellular options. Their systems incorporate 4G LTE and 5G technology, user-friendly mobile device apps, and secure keypads.
Facility owners can choose between SpiderDoor’s internet-based systems for seamless integration with existing networks or their cellular solutions for reliable connectivity in areas with limited infrastructure.
SpiderDoor Internet Gate Access Control Systems:
SpiderDoor’s internet gate access control systems offer seamless integration with any facility management software. These solutions use a facility’s existing internet access and power connection (which requires a CAT5 or CAT6 cable). This allows self-storage owners and property managers to manage access remotely through web-based software or smartphones to enhance operational efficiency and tenant convenience.
“Simply run a relay wire to your gate motor and utilize the CAT6 cable for internet connection”
Products Include:
S23i Internet Hardwired Connection
S44i Internet Hardwired Connection Mini Keypad
“Keypads work great! Easy to install and integrates with our management software seamlessly! Would highly recommend their keypads if you need an upgrade!” – Kevin
SpiderDoor’s internet-based solutions provide real-time monitoring, updates (via text, call, or email notifications), and control, allowing facility managers to respond quickly to access requests and security concerns.
SpiderDoor Cellular Gate Access Control Systems:
Additionally, SpiderDoor’s cellular gate access control systems operate through mobile networks, which the company provides with its products, to offer robust remote control capabilities for storage facilities. These systems utilize SMS technology for secure communication, allowing facility owners to manage access from anywhere.
Products Include:
S23c Cellular Access with Keypad
*Note: The S23c requires a 110 power outlet. A power adapter is included with each model. Larger keypads offer an override key that fire departments can use during emergencies.
Learn more about the S23c“No extra hardware, software installations, or office controllers required”
S33c Hardwired Cellular Connection Mini Keypad (originally S44h)
*Note: Requires a 110 power outlet. A power adapter is included with each model.
Learn more about the S33c“We use spider door keypads at both of locations. Recently, we purchased a cellular keypad for our rural location…” – Megan Armstrong
“Works well with the cell method!” – Thomas Mitchell
“Very easy to use. Really love the cellular gate keypad.” – Chandler Brown
SpiderDoor’s cellular keypads stamp every arrival with the code that opened the gate, so you get a real-time remote access audit trail instead of a guess about who was on site. Reliable power supply options keep the unit running without interruption, and gate access stays limited to the tenants you have authorized.
Conclusion
When choosing the right access control systems for your facility, facility owners must weigh the pros and cons of internet and cellular gate access control systems. Internet-based solutions offer seamless integration with existing networks, while cellular options provide reliable connectivity in remote areas.
Entry systems utilizing internet connections enable real-time monitoring and instant updates through web interfaces. However, cellular-based telephone entry systems offer consistent performance regardless of local internet availability.
Both internet and cellular gate access control solutions enhance security and operational efficiency for self-storage facilities. The choice between these entry systems depends on factors such as location, infrastructure, and specific facility needs:
- Internet reliability in the area
- Cellular network coverage
- Integration with existing software
- Installation and maintenance costs
- Security feature requirements
Ultimately, selecting the appropriate gate access control technology ensures smooth operations and improved tenant satisfaction. Whichever system you end up choosing, facility owners can benefit from SpiderDoor’s reliable access control solutions that enhance security, streamline operations, and provide convenient remote management capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Internet-based gate access systems rely on Ethernet (PoE) connections, offering broader connectivity but requiring stable internet. Cellular systems use mobile networks, providing more reliable access in remote areas and during internet outages, but may have coverage limitations in some locations.
With cellular-based control systems, all that is required to be up and running is a 110 power outlet and a low-voltage wire to the operator.
When choosing between internet and cellular access control, there are a few factors to consider:
1. Is there a cellular signal available?
2. How far the keypad will be from the router?
3. Will it be difficult to run cable through the conduit? (This can be expensive for internet-based keypads.)
SpiderDoor’s access control solutions offer remote management capabilities, so you can run a facility without standing on it. The systems integrate with your management software, let you grant and end tenant access from your phone, keep a timestamped log of every entry, and include built-in collections tools. Owners spend less time on site and get better oversight of what happens at the gate.
Cellular access control is a gate or door entry system that reaches its management software over a mobile carrier network, the same way a phone does, instead of over a wired internet line. The keypad carries its own data connection, so no Ethernet cable or on-site router has to reach the entrance.
Cellular systems are the practical choice where internet is unreliable or unavailable. Because the keypad connects over a mobile network rather than the building’s line, a slow or dropped internet connection at the office does not take the gate down with it. You do need usable cellular signal at the gate itself, so confirm coverage at the entrance before ordering.
Not if it runs on cellular. A cellular keypad syncs tenant codes and entry logs over the carrier network, so no wired internet has to reach the entrance. A wired keypad does need a network cable run out to the gate, which is where trenching and conduit costs show up on longer runs.
Need help choosing a SpiderDoor product that works for you?
We offer free consultations to help you determine the best connectivity option for your facility. Just contact us or fill out the form below to get started!
