What is cellular IoT? Cellular IoT refers to the use of mobile networks to connect IoT devices, enabling communication among devices using established cellular infrastructure. These devices range from smart meters and connected vehicles to remote healthcare monitoring systems and industrial equipment, and these devices are forecast to grow. Research released by IoT Analytics this month reported 16.6 billion connected IoT devices by 2023 and projected 18.8 billion by the end of 2024.
As IoT extends its reach across industries, cellular IoT has emerged as one of the most promising communication technologies for large-scale deployments. Two emerging cellular technologies which have been stated by 3GPP as part of the 5G specification are Narrowband (NB) IoT and LTE-M.
Both technologies are designed to cater to low-power, wide-area (LPWA) applications to provide connectivity for IoT devices that require a long battery life, wide coverage and low data throughput.
Understanding the basics of NB-IoT and LTE-M
Both NB-IoT and LTE-M were standardised by the 3GPP as part of its Release 13 in 2016, aimed at addressing the unique needs of IoT. While they share some common goals, such as optimising power consumption and reducing device complexity, they are different in their technical characteristics and use cases.
Narrowband IoT:
NB-IoT is designed to provide efficient connectivity for applications with low data rate requirements. It operates in a narrow frequency band (200kHz), which allows it to achieve excellent coverage and penetration, even in challenging environments like basements and remote rural areas. NB-IoT utilises a simplified waveform compared to LTE, focusing on energy efficiency, which allows for long battery life – typically up to 10 years – for IoT devices.
Key technical specifications of NB-IoT include:
- Data rate: Up to 250 kbps (downlink and uplink)
- Latency: 1.5 to 10 seconds, making it suitable for non-time-critical applications
- Bandwidth: 180-200 kHz, either in-band within an LTE carrier, in a guard band, or as a standalone operation in unused spectrum
- Power consumption: Low, with power-saving modes such as Power Saving Mode (PSM) and extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) that reduce the need for frequent communication
- Mobility: Designed primarily for stationary or low-mobility devices, but can support some mobility if necessary
LTE-M:
LTE-M, on the other hand, offers greater data throughput and lower latency than NB-IoT, making it better suited for applications that require more frequent communication and higher data rates. Operating within the standard LTE spectrum, LTE-M has full mobility support, which allows it to function in applications where devices are constantly on the move, such as vehicle tracking or wearable technologies.
Key technical specifications of LTE-M include:
- Data rate: Up to 1 Mbps (downlink and uplink)
- Latency: Typically 50 to 100 ms, enabling near real-time communication
- Bandwidth: 1.4 MHz, narrower than traditional LTE but wider than NB-IoT
- Power Consumption: Like NB-IoT, LTE-M also supports PSM and eDRX modes, although its power consumption is generally higher than NB-IoT due to increased bandwidth and higher data rates
- Mobility: Full support for handovers and mobility, making it suitable for devices that need to operate while moving, such as in transportation or fleet management
Conclusion
Cellular IoT is playing a key role in the growth of IoT, driven by the widespread availability of mobile networks, advancements in low-power technologies and the rollout of 5G. With its ability to provide reliable, scalable, and secure connectivity across a wide range of applications, cellular IoT is increasingly becoming the go-to solution for some industries looking to deploy connected devices on a large scale.
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