What is Nb IoT?

Nb IoT

NB-IoT at a Glance

• NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is a low-power, wide-area cellular technology standardized by 3GPP to support massive IoT deployments with minimal energy consumption and greater coverage.  
• Designed for static or low-mobility devices like sensors, meters, and trackers, NB-IoT offers reliable, cost-effective connectivity with deep indoor penetration.  
• It enables long battery life (10+ years), wide-area coverage, and secure, licensed-band operation – ideal for industrial, agricultural, and smart city applications.

What is NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT)?

NB-IoT, or Narrowband IoT, is a cellular radio access technology developed by the 3GPP as part of the LTE Release 13 standard and refined over later releases. It is engineered specifically to connect low-power devices that transmit small amounts of data over long periods – exactly the kind of demand seen in many IoT applications.

Unlike traditional cellular technologies designed for human data use (streaming, voice, browsing), NB-IoT is optimized for machine-to-machine communication (M2M) and excels in use cases where coverage, energy efficiency, and scalability matter more than speed.

Key Features of NB-IoT

• Low Power Consumption: Enables IoT devices to run for up to 10+ years on a single battery.  
• Greater Coverage: Strong indoor and underground penetration, ideal for hard-to-reach areas. Even compatible with Non Terrestrial networks (NTNs)  
• Low Data Rates: Tailored for small, infrequent packets of data (e.g., sensor readings).  
• Licensed Spectrum: Operates on secure, interference-free cellular bands.  
• Low Cost: Simple chipsets and efficient network architecture reduce device and deployment costs.

NB-IoT Use Cases

NB-IoT is purpose-built for devices that need to transmit small amounts of data infrequently, often without real-time responsiveness. It’s ideal for:

• Smart Metering (gas, water, electricity)  
• Environmental Monitoring (temperature, air quality, soil moisture)  
• Smart Cities (parking sensors, street lighting)  
• Industrial IoT (predictive maintenance, asset tracking)  
• Agriculture (soil sensors, livestock monitors)

NB-IoT vs LTE-M: What’s the Difference?

Feature	NB-IoT	LTE-M
Data Throughput	Very low	Low to moderate
Mobility Support	Limited (stationary or slow devices)	Supports mobility (e.g., vehicle tracking)
Voice Support	No	Yes (via VoLTE)
Latency	Higher	Lower
Use Case Focus	Static sensors, infrequent data	Mobile devices, real-time comms

NB-IoT is best for stationary, low-activity devices, while LTE-M is preferred for mobile or time-sensitive applications.

Advantages of NB-IoT

• Long Battery Life: Power-saving features like PSM and eDRX extend battery life.  
• Cost-Effective: Simple, low-cost modules and minimal infrastructure requirements.  
• Global Adoption: Supported by most major mobile operators around the world.  
• Secure & Reliable: Utilizes licensed spectrum with carrier-grade security.  

Limitations of NB-IoT

• Limited Bandwidth: Not suitable for large or frequent data transfers.  
• Higher Latency: Not ideal for real-time applications or time-sensitive alerts.  
• Lack of Mobility: Devices must remain largely stationary to maintain consistent connections.

 NB-IoT with Soracom

Soracom’s platform supports NB-IoT connectivity with flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing and cloud-native integration tools. This makes it easy to manage thousands of devices at scale with secure, reliable, low-power cellular connectivity – whether you’re deploying in cities, farms, or factories.

Conclusion: Why NB-IoT Matters for Scalable IoT

NB-IoT provides a foundational layer for massive IoT deployments, enabling secure, low-cost, and energy-efficient connectivity for millions of devices. With support from global mobile operators and evolving standards from 3GPP, NB-IoT remains a critical tool in building the connected systems of the future.