Experts predict there will be more than 26 billion devices connecting to the Internet of Things (IoT) by 2020. As exciting as that sounds, the volume of connected devices will also mean an increase in traffic. Some predict that Narrowband IoT will be the best Low Power Wide-Area Network solution (LPWAN) yet. This blog outlines 5 business benefits of this new IoT connectivity opportunity.

What is Narrowband IoT?

Narrowband IoT (also known as NB-IoT or LTE-M2) is a proposed technology which will not operate in the LTE construct. Instead, it is being designed to exist in one of three ways:

  • Independently
  • In unused 200-KhZ bands that have previously been used for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
  • On LTE base stations allocating a resource block to NB-IoT operations or in their guard bands.

Telecommunication giants such as Huawei, Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Vodafone are actively involved in putting this standard together. In fact, Vodafone is set to roll out the first live, commercial NB-IoT launch markets in early 2017 in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain.

5 Top Business Benefits of Narrowband IoT

Power Efficiency

Efficiently powering IoT devices is critical. Think about it: who wants to be out there changing the batteries on 20 billion devices every six months? While nearly all IoT technologies are developed to save power when they aren’t operating, they do draw energy when the modem is running and handling signal processing.

Cost Savings

Technologies with simpler waveform—like NB-IoT—will consume less power. A 200 kHz NB-IoT frontend and digitizer offers reduced complexity of analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, buffering, and channel estimation. Power savings = cost savings. Plus, NB-IoT chips will be simpler to create and thus come cheaper.

Reliability

Rolling out NB-IoT on a licensed spectrum means improved reliability for users as well as the guaranteed resource allocation needed for managed Quality of Service (QoS).

Wider Deployment

Compared to LTE-M1, the NB-IoT has lower bitrates and better link budgets. Additionally, per Huawei’s Emmanuel Coehlo Alves in an IoT Hub article, the NB-IoT does not need gateways to provide connectivity. Instead of “creating another piece of equipment you need to manage and operate,” he said, the NB-IoT can directly connect sensors to the base station. This can boost flexibility while lowering costs.

Global Reach

While heavy hitters in the U.S. have already invested billions into LTE networks, there are many areas around the world with less LTE. Outside of the U.S., there are larger GSM deployments on which to find unused bands to leverage for NB-IoT. The NB-IoT then could help IoT innovators find affordable entry points in new markets globally.

Even in the U.S., smaller carriers such as Sprint or T-Mobile might also deploy NB-IoT on existing GSM spectrum to expand connectivity without the LTE investment of a Verizon or AT&T.

Foreseeing NB-IoT Applications

NB-IoT applications can cross many service categories. These include:

  • Smart metering (electricity, gas and water)
  • Facility management services
  • Intruder and fire alarms for homes & commercial properties
  • Connected personal appliances measuring health parameters
  • Person, animal, or object asset tracking
  • Smart city infrastructure such as street lamps or dustbins
  • Connected industrial appliances such as welding machines or air compressors.

Realistically, there remain some questions about NB-IoT. Deployment could be a problem with most carriers moving to LTE support. With NB-IoT deployed in a side band, there could also be increased initial costs to develop operating software. Further, modem frontends and antennas may become more complex in cases where there is little existing GSM spectrum. Finally, there’s the risk that giants such as Ericsson or Huawei will charge licensing fees for NB-IoT.

Nevertheless, with so much underutilized 200-KhZ GSM spectrum many are looking to make this the best low power, wide-area network yet. It’s no wonder then that Gartner sees NB-IoT as the standard most likely to dominate the LPWAN space in the long-term.

LL CTA_ LPWA In An LTE-M and NB-IoT World Webinar


Sources

Gartner. (2016, February 3). Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Internet of Things Technologies for 2017 and 2018.

Huawei. (n.d.). NB-IoT: Enabling New Business Opportunities.

Vodafone. (2016, October 19). Vodafone is First to Announce NB-IoT Launch Markets.

Written by Bob Proctor

Dr. Robert Proctor joined Link Labs as CEO in April 2016. He was a founding investor and advisor to the company from the beginning. Prior to Link Labs, Bob was the Co-Founder of Blu Venture Investors and CEO, Board Director and Investor of FlexEl, LLC. He is the Co-founder, Board Chairman, and Investor of Wiser Together, Inc. and Phase 5 Group, Inc. Bob served as Global Head of Marketing reporting to Chairman and CEO of Corporate Executive Board. He has decades of Senior Executive experience in public companies, including line, staff, and IPO leadership positions. Bob led teams that won corporate-wide awards for Best Business Breakthrough, Managerial Excellence, and Spirit of Generosity. Bob also served as an associate Principal McKinsey & Company, Inc. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Cornell University.

Related Blogs

Asset Tracking, BLE Asset Management Asset Tracking, iot solutions, iot technology, Asset Tracking in Commercial Industries, Healthcare Performance Improvement, Healthcare Asset Tracking, Healthcare RTLS, Healthcare Trends, Healthcare industry, AI Applications, Monitoring, Asset Tracking Solutions, Healthcare Providers, AI in Logistics

ROI of RTLS Tracking Solutions: Is It Worth the Investment?

Asset Tracking, BLE Asset Management Asset Tracking, iot solutions, iot technology, Healthcare Performance Improvement, Healthcare Asset Tracking, Healthcare RTLS, Healthcare Trends, Healthcare industry, AI Applications, Monitoring, Healthcare Providers

Healthcare Revolution: Tracking Critical Assets in Hospitals

Asset Tracking, BLE Asset Management Asset Tracking, iot solutions, iot technology, commercial trucking, AI Applications, Monitoring, trailer tracking, Yard Management, AI in Logistics

How Link Labs IoT and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Help Logistics Operations

Subscribe to Link Labs' blog weekly update!

Subscribe

Subscribe to Link Labs' blog weekly update!