top of page

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT)

Growth forecasts for the booming Internet of Things (IoT) vary widely depending on how experts define the IoT.

However, all agree on the incredible growth in the coming years. 

Connectivity will then be a challenge, and NB-IoT (Narrow-band IoT) can be the answer.

IN ONE LINE WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY

75B smart devices in 2025

​

The latest estimate from IHS predicts more than 75 billion smart devices in use by 2025, representing a 400% increase over the roughly 15 billion devices in use today. 

This prediction ups the ante on IDC's earlier estimate of 31 billion by 2020. 

Whatever the rate, the fact is the marketplace is transitioning from "growth potential" to many billions of realised new connections, and cellular Mobile Network Operators are investing heavily in technologies that can support billions of new customers.
 
Until recently, cellular networks supported less than 10 % of all IoT connections. 

This is partly because the vast majority of them are industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions that are best served with low bandwidth, highly efficient connectivity that supports extended battery life. 

​

Traditional 4G wireless networks offer more horsepower than these use cases require. Besides, IIoT applications require seamless coverage in remote environments where staying connected can draw down battery power and shorten device lifespan. 

​

The ratio of cellular to non-cellular connectivity is to change dramatically with the advent of 5G and NB-IoT. 

​

This combination is described as a fast-growing cellular technology and offers low-power, highly-efficient, and cost-effective connectivity using only a fraction of the 4G LTE  frequency band.

What is Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT)?

​

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is a new fast-growing wireless technology 3GPP cellular technology standard that addresses the  LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) requirements of the IoT. 

It's been classified as a 5G technology, standardised by 3GPP in 2016. 

It is fast emerging as the best in class-leading LPWAN technology to enable a wide range of new IIoT devices, including smart parking, utilities, wearables, and industrial solutions. 

​

NB-IoT is characterised by:

  • excellent indoor coverage, 

  • support of a massive number of connections, 

  • cost efficiency, 

  • low device power consumption,

  • optimised network architecture. 

​

NB-IoT can efficiently connect large fleets of devices - up to 50,000 per NB-IoT network cell -, while minimising power consumption and increasing coverage range in locations not served by conventional cellular technologies.

​

NB-IoT dramatically improves network efficiency, increasing the capacity to support a massive number of new connections using only a portion of the available spectrum. This efficiency, in turn, minimises power consumption enabling battery life of more than ten years. Also, NB-IoT penetrates deep underground and into enclosed spaces providing 20+dB coverage indoors.

 

Is NB-IoT secure?

​

The underlying technology is less sophisticated than traditional cellular modules, simplifying design, development, and deployment for OEMs. 

At the same time, it offers the same tried and true security and privacy features of LTE mobile networks, including support for:

  • user identity confidentiality, 

  • entity authentication, 

  • data integrity, 

  • and mobile device identification.

​

Experienced Leadership

bottom of page