NB-IoT: Advantages and Disadvantages

This page explores the advantages and disadvantages of NB-IoT (Narrowband-Internet of Things). It covers the benefits and drawbacks of this technology.

What is NB-IoT?

NB-IoT, short for Narrowband-Internet of Things, is a technology specified in LTE Release-13. Also known as LTE cat-NB1, it was developed to meet the requirements of LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) networks.

The following table outlines key features of an NB-IoT network.

NB-IoT has a wide array of applications for personal, public, and industrial use:

• Personal Applications: Wearables, tracking devices for kids/elders, smart bicycles, etc.
• Public Applications: Event detectors, smart garbage bins, smart metering, etc.
• Industrial Applications: Asset tracking, smart agriculture, logistics tracking, etc.

Low power consumption and long range are critical requirements for IoT, which are major challenges with mainstream cellular technologies. NB-IoT addresses these concerns. Low power wide area network protocols are designed to establish connections between low energy devices and a network server. It uses various deployment modes viz. standalone, LTE Guardband and LTE In-band.

Benefits/Advantages of NB-IoT

Here are the key benefits and advantages of NB-IoT:

• Scalability, QoS, and Security: NB-IoT leverages mobile wireless networks, offering better scalability, quality of service, and security compared to unlicensed LPWA networks like LoRa/Sigfox.
• Long Battery Life: Due to its low power consumption, NB-IoT devices can achieve extended battery life.
• Extended Coverage: NB-IoT provides greater coverage compared to GSM/GPRS systems.
• Operator Support: Numerous network operators across Europe and Asia support NB-IoT.
• Long Range, Low Bit Rate Transmission: It’s designed for transmitting data at low bit rates over long distances, surpassing the range of GSM and LTE.
• Moderate Module Costs: NB-IoT modules are expected to be reasonably priced.
• Improved Penetration and Data Rates: Compared to unlicensed band-based standards (e.g., LoRaWAN and Sigfox), NB-IoT offers better penetration of structures and improved data rates.
• Coexistence with Legacy Cellular Systems: NB-IoT can coexist with older cellular technologies like GSM/GPRS/LTE. NB-IoT compliant devices can be deployed and scheduled within existing LTE networks, sharing capacity and cell resources with other connected devices.

Drawbacks/Disadvantages of NB-IoT

The following are the drawbacks and disadvantages of NB-IoT:

• Lower Data Rate: Compared to LTE cat-M1, NB-IoT offers a lower data rate (approximately 250Kbps download and 20Kbps upload) with a bandwidth of about 200 KHz. This makes it ideal for stationary devices.
• No VoLTE Support: NB-IoT does not support VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) for voice transmission, meaning voice communication is not directly supported.
• Limited Roaming: Roaming support is not as robust as in LTE-M and Sigfox, although this is expected to improve soon.