NB-IoT technology

Narrowband Internet of things (NB-IoT)

NB IoT, or NarrowBand IoT, is a radio communication standard based on today's 5G mobile network. It uses the existing infrastructure and therefore provides a large coverage.

NB IoT is especially developed for IoT applications: By using only a narrow bandwidth in the lowest frequencies band it achieves a higher penetration through buildings and allows to produce end-devices with a low power consumption compared to smart phones.

Benefits of NB-IoT

NB IoT, or NarrowBand IoT, is one of the first LPWA networks for IoT applications and has the following benefits:

Existing Infrastructure
The use of the existing mobile network makes NB IoT fast to deploy.

Low initial costs
A monthly plan instead of a high initial investment.

Good coverage
Everywhere your smart phone has coverage, your NB-IoT device has coverage and even more.

NB IoT Range

NB IoT is built on the technology of the mobile network and therefore the range is comparable to a smart phone. NB IoT uses the lowest frequency bands which have a higher penetration through building walls.

The range also depends on the output power and the antenna design of the device. The coverage of the mobile network is usually good in cities and urban regions. It's important to check the coverage of the available providers and compare to the requirements of own IoT application.

NB IoT Tracker

The NB IoT GPS tracker is the combination of the GPS localisation and the NB IoT radio communication with the coverage of the mobile network. GPS works good for outdoor tracking. Localisation over WiFi could be added for indoor tracking.

NB IoT Devices

A large number of IoT sensors on the market use the NB IoT technology to connect to the internet like for instance the NB-IoT temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature in a remote place.

NB IoT Applications

NB IoT solutions are often used for IoT applications because of the coverage and energy efficient implementation. Here some examples of NB IoT applications:

Smart Metering

In cities and urban areas NB IoT has a good coverage which makes it an ideal technology for Smart Metering, like for instance NB IoT Energy Meters.

Asset Tracking

An NB-IoT GPS tracker is one of the best solutions for asset tracking, especially when the assets are travelling within the coverage of the mobile network. Indoor tracking could be added with a WiFi radio interface.

Smart City

The NB-IoT technology is often used for Smart City applications. Smart parking and smart lights in the night are typical examples where NB-IoT can be used in Smart Cities.

FAQ

What is NarrowBand IoT?

NarrowBand IoT (NB IoT) is a radio communication standard based on today's mobile network. It uses the existing infrastructure and usually has a good coverage in cities and urban areas.

How does NB IoT work?

NB IoT uses a subset of LTE (Long-Term Evolution) which is also known as the 4th Generation (4G) mobile network. NB IoT uses a lower bandwidth and low frequencies of the LTE standard. Therefore NB IoT has a higher penetration through building walls.

What are the difference between NB-IoT and LTE M?

NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT) and LTE M (Long-Term Evolution - Machine Type Communication) are both developed for the internet of things based on the 4G mobile network. LTE M has a higher performance and is therefore more power hungry and expensive.

Table: NB-IOT vs LTE M

Data Rate: 26-159kbps , 1Mbps
Latency: 1.5-10s, 10-15ms
Duplex: half, full

Does NB-IoT need a sim card?

Yes. NB-IoT works in the licensed frequency bands and is operated by the national mobile network providers. A SIM card is needed to register in the mobile network. More and more eSIMs are coming up and would make a physical SIM card not necessary anymore.

What does NB IoT cost?

Recurrent costs from a mobile network provider apply for NB-IoT devices. It's usually lower than a classic mobile plan for a smart phone, because the data rate is much lower. But the network infrastructure is already existant compared to other LPWANs.

For further questions on quotation, delivery time,
and device price you can contact us at any time.

Contact form