What is NB-IoT?

NB-IoT is a new, cellular Internet of Things (IoT) technology standardised by 3GPP in Release 13. It builds upon existing LTE networks to enable low-power, wide-area (LPWA) connectivity for a variety of IoT devices and applications.

NB-IoT is designed to support a wide range of IoT devices and applications with low power consumption and low cost. It uses a slotted mode that allows devices to sleep most of the time, and only wake up to receive or transmit data. This makes it ideal for applications that require long battery life, such as smart metres, parking metres, and streetlights. NB-IoT also uses a narrowband spectrum, which makes it more resistant to interference than other cellular technologies. This is important for applications that need to operate in crowded environments, such as cities.

NB-IoT is already being deployed by mobile operators around the world. In the United States, AT&T and Verizon have both launched NB-IoT networks. In Europe, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and Orange have all launched NB-IoT networks.