LTE Cat-NB1, also called NB-IoT, requires a bandwidth of about 200KHz, and mainly transmits low-traffic data at a rate below 100Kbps.
LTE is one of the candidate technologies for IoT applications. However, the adoption and widespread use of candidate technologies depends on their technical compatibility and a high degree of technical standardization.
There are currently more than 1 billion IoT devices equipped with solutions developed by Qualcomm, most of which are based on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies.
1. LTE Cat M1 and Cat NB1: Ideal for public metering
With the right options, utility providers can enjoy substantial up-front and ongoing savings. IoT technology offers a variety of properties that are ideal for gas, heat, and water meters. They use widely available infrastructure, consume very little energy, keep equipment and deployment costs low, can penetrate deep into buildings, and can support large numbers of devices.
Currently, LTE Cat M1 is most attractive to network operators in the US, while LTE Cat NB1 is growing rapidly in Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Both technologies are expected to be widely available within the next 2 years.
2. LTE Cat NB1 compared to LTE Cat M1
Broadly speaking, LTE Cat NB1 penetrates better into buildings, provides longer battery life, and is more cost-effective in design and implementation. This makes it ideal for gas, water and heat related, less frequent meter readings, especially in residential applications.
The main advantages of LTE Cat M1 are its lower latency and higher data processing bandwidth, making it ideal for a large number of interactions between multimeters and utilities, including in control applications and industrial scenarios.
3. LTE Cat NB1 Applications
LTE Cat M1 and LTE Cat NB1 are being trialled in utility and metering applications.
These trials show that the technology to use licensed spectrum on public mobile networks is developing rapidly. For customers in the utility sector, LTE Cat M1 and LTE Cat NB1 offer an excellent combination of features to meet the demanding requirements of gas, water and heat smart meters.
