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NB-IoT, LTE-M, CAT-M1 SIM Cards

NARROWBAND IoT

Optimised Battery IoT Connectivity

Leading with IoT Advances in LPWAN Systems

Designers of IoT solutions have to choose from various wireless connectivity options like LPWA networks and emerging GSM standards. Businesses can benefit from extending device range and improving battery life with NB-IoT / LPWA Networks. Collaborating with partners helps us offer the best connectivity plan for customers. Contact us for a consultation before starting your LPWAN IoT Project.

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Low Power & Narrowband IoT Networks

NB-IoT, LTE-M and CAT-M1 are mobile GSMA standards and competitors for private, proprietary wireless IoT connectivity solutions such as SigFox and LoRaWAN.

GSMA standards, NB-IoT and LTE-M, offer low battery drain, longer radio range, and are 4G and 5G LTE (Long Term Evolution) compatible.

Of the GSMA LPWAN standards, NB-IoT is a low data standard that is suited to static devices in hard to reach or rural areas, that do not need to, or are unlikely to have the ability to switch radio masts. 

LTE-M and CAT-M1 on the other hand both support mast handovers, and are therefore better suited to moving IoT devices, or those within reach of multiple masts such as moving vehicles or static devices in urban areas. 

Proprietary standards such as LoRaWAN and SigFox also offer low battery drainage and longer range radio connectivity for IoT devices. They, however, require a private or collective network infrastructure to be in place and maintained.

LPWAN (NB-IoT, LTE-M) Availability

GSMA LTE standards for Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE Category 1 M (LTE-M), now mean that enterprises can plan for a low power IoT deployment at scale.

Both technologies have been designed to allow for large scale long-service life deployments and are fully supported by global standards.

It is important to remember, however, that coverage varies on country and region. Some MNO providers may also not provide a roaming service on this technology. It is therefore crucial to first map out your connectivity needs before deploying IoT devices with these technologies. 

We have decades of experience in IoT applications and have been closely monitoring developments in the GSMA Narrowband field since the earliest announcements and subsequent investment and deployments.

As a result, we are in a great position to help our customers fully understand the implications of each technology and to choose the right technology for the long term.

NB-IoT SIM Cards

NB-IoT is a low-speed, longer-range, static IoT technology. It is ideally suited to use cases where immobile sensors are sending small, non-time sensitive data bursts.

A big benefit is that NB-IoT is the lower battery consumption it affords. It also enables large scale deployments of sensor networks without the need for meshing protocols or gateways.

It is important to remember, however, that NB-IoT systems do not allow for cell handovers, so are best suited to difficult to reach, static IoT devices.

Typical NB-IoT applications therefore include:

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LTE-M SIM Cards

LTE-M is a low to medium-speed, low latency, mid-range reach, fully mobile technology. 

It is therefore ideal for applications where mobility is essential, data throughput needs are modest, but latency remains important.

LTE-M SIM cards allows cell handover of a live data session and also can offer a voice option, making it ideal for mobility solutions.

It is important to check, however, the functionality available on a particular MNO network. Again, not all mobile operators provide roaming functionality on LTE-M networks. Prior to deploying IoT devices with this technology, it is therefore crucial to check with our experts.

Typical LTE-M applications include:

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LoRaWAN IoT Gateways

LoRaWAN is a low data standard suitable for areas where LTE LPWAN solutions are not available. It, however, requires a private network infrastructure or IoT gateways to be deployed to communicate with sensors and provide the back haul communications. This back haul mechanism is often provided by IoT SIM cards. 

Some common applications include:

Case Studies

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Spirit Healthcare Caburn case study

Spirit Healthcare

Spirit healthcare - Working in partnership to develop a connectivity service that provides strong geographical coverage and cross-network resilience.

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Seguirincat Case study, image.

Segurincat

Project type: Connected security and alarm systems for commercial and domestic customers. Location: Tarragona, Spain Challenge: Maintaining vital links between alarm...

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Smart Parking

Scorpion Automotive

Scorpion Automotive is a designer of alarms, immobilisers and telematics systems for the automotive industry. Caburn Telecom provided a Multi-network SIM...

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Connected Solutions for all IoT / M2M Applications

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