Understanding Communication Technologies for IoT - NB IoT LPWAN (Part 2)

The Internet of Things is not a concept; it is a network, the true technology-enabled Network of all networks

Understanding Communication and selecting Right Communication is very Important in IoT Implementation. We'll Continue towards NB IoT which surely is making lot of WAVES around the world of IoT. As it's Teleco driven this is surely gonna make it HUGE.

NB IoT - IoT's END GAME Managed by Telcos

Origin: 2016

Low Power WAN (LPWAN)

Cost Per Device: US$4 ~ US$8 Per Device Per Month (Varies with Data)

Frequency: 26 Various Bands from 400 Mhz to 1980 Mhz

Narrowband Internet of things is a low-power wide-area network radio technology standard developed by 3GPP for cellular devices and services. The specification was frozen in 3GPP Release 13, in June 2016. Other 3GPP IoT technologies include eMTC and EC-GSM-IoT.

Narrowband IoT or NB-IoT is a wireless communication standard for the Internet of Things in its different forms. NB-IoT belongs to the category of low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), enabling to connect devices that need small amounts of data, low bandwidth, and long battery life. This makes it suitable for a variety of applications and use cases for IoT.

In NB-IoT applications, typically small data volume amounts need to be infrequently transmitted. NB-IoT became a standard for this type of wireless communications in 2016, and in recent years mobile operators have been, and many still are deploying network capabilities enabling narrowband-IoT coverage for their customers.

1. NB IoT co-exists with other legacy cellular systems such as GSM/GPRS/LTE. The NB-IoT compliant devices can be deployed/scheduled within any legacy LTE network. This helps them share capacity as well as other cell resources with the other wireless connected devices.
2. NB IoT offers long battery life due to low power consumption or current consumption. This is very critical when deploying the Network.
3. NB IoT uses mobile wireless network it offers better scalability, quality of service and security compare to unlicensed LPWA networks such as LoRa/Sigfox. This plays an important role in critical / Government Installations.
4. NB IoT offers extended coverage compare to GSM/GPRS systems. More and more operators are joining NB IoT Teleco Community.
5. Cost of NB IoT modules are getting cheaper. This will make various hardware vendors to adopt to NB IoT opening doors to various use cases.

1. Cost per Month. This is always most important Issue with everyone. Most of Use Cases never work as the cost Given by most of the Local Operators is VERY HIGH.
2. Amount of Bands is tough to manage hardware. As Global IoT company this is my biggest ISSUE as how to keep appropriate hardware stocked. Also many hardware suppliers reject certain band as they have no demand for those bands. Most Devices have one / two or three bands in them. Knowing every country requirement is also tough.
3. It's driven by Telcos. Support with Telcos is always Limited. Unlike Public LPWAN operators who are easily accessible Telcos are much tougher.
4. Indoor Coverage is always an Issue. DON'T rely currently with NB IoT for Indoor Coverage.
5. Operators will be eyeing BIGGER projects themselves. Most of the operators now have own NB IoT divisions. It will be tough for you to compete with them as they can drop costs anytime.
6. Roaming use cases won't work as Bands will always be an issue.
7. Currently Very few Use Cases are available with NB IoT.
8. Limited Coverage. Living in a Metropolis I've seen limited coverage of NB IoT. This means Tracking and other use cases can't be implemented easily.

NB IoT surely will become the future of IoT. More and more devices will be on-boarded with NB IoT as more and more Telcos will invest on upgrading / expanding the NB IoT infra structure. Keep an eye on your Local Telcos Network always so your next use case can be designed using NB IoT.