Is the Narrowband IoT Era Coming to an End?

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) has long been celebrated for its low-power, wide-area network capabilities designed for lightweight communication. However, recent industry chatter and shifts in strategic direction among companies have cast doubts on NB-IoT’s continued dominance. While AT&T, a major player in the US, recently announced that it is stepping away from NB-IoT (RCR Wireless News), and NTT DoCoMo from Japan made a similar announcement back in 2020, others remain steadfast in their belief in the technology’s unique benefits. In this blog post, we explore the current scenario, the potential implications of NB-IoT’s decline, and the alternative cellular options that could redefine IoT connectivity if NB-IoT fades away.

The Shifting Landscape of NB-IoT

NB-IoT gained attention over the past few years for its promise to deliver deep indoor penetration, scalable deployments, and energy-efficient connectivity for smart meters, sensors, and various other IoT endpoints. Yet, some recent developments indicate a possible tapering off of investments in NB-IoT. While exact figures and company names may vary in public disclosures and industry reports, the trend is here.

Multiple companies have announced a pivot or a complete withdrawal from NB-IoT development. Their decisions are driven by factors like cost-efficiency comparisons with alternatives, the rise of competing technologies (like LTE-M), and the rapidly approaching 5G networks designed with massive IoT connectivity in mind.

On the contrary, some industry players defend NB-IoT’s value, pointing out its unmatched ability to offer low latency, long battery life, and extensive coverage – especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

The Debate: Survival or Demise?

The divergence in opinions stems from several industry observations. NB-IoT infrastructure demands significant investment in network upgrades and ecosystem partnerships. For some, the comparative cost against alternatives like LTE-M, which don’t require as drastic a network overhaul, becomes a deterrence.

LTE-M (also known as Cat M1) is emerging as a formidable competitor due to its ability to support mobility and slightly higher data rates while maintaining low energy consumption. Its advantages become prominent, especially when IoT applications demand more robust connectivity and real-time data exchange, pushing some companies to reconsider their NB-IoT roadmap.

The rapid roll-out of 5G promises massive machine-type communications (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). This next-generation connectivity ecosystem inherently supports a broader spectrum of IoT applications, making a strong case for migrating some NB-IoT implementations to 5G-based solutions.

Alternatives to NB-IoT

If NB-IoT indeed enters a phase of decline, companies looking to maintain widespread IoT connectivity have several cellular and non-cellular options to consider:

LTE-M (Cat M1): Positively viewed for its balance between power efficiency and higher throughput, LTE-M supports mobility (an area where NB-IoT struggles) and can accommodate more dynamic communication scenarios. Its compatibility with existing LTE networks makes for a smoother transition and continued investment from network operators.

5G IoT Solutions: With 5G commercialization well underway, the technology is set to transform IoT connectivity. The 5G New Radio (NR) is engineered to address a diverse range of IoT needs, from massive deployment of low-power sensors to applications requiring ultra-low latency and high reliability. For industries looking to future-proof their IoT ecosystems, 5G offers not only continuity but also significant capabilities that NB-IoT may lack.

Non-Cellular LPWAN Options: Aside from cellular options, technologies like LoRa/LoRaWAN and Sigfox continue to remain viable for certain applications. Although they do not offer the same level of integration with telecom operators, these technologies provide alternative network architectures that can be economically attractive for large-scale sensor networks in low-bandwidth scenarios.

Hybrid and Multi-Mode Deployments: For companies unwilling to fully commit to a single connectivity standard, hybrid approaches that combine NB-IoT with LTE-M or even 5G may provide resilience. Leveraging multiple standards ensures continuity in connectivity and allows flexibility in responding to localized network performance and coverage needs. Notable interoperability chips include the Quectel BG96 (NB-IoT, LTE Cat M1, and EGPRS), the Qualcomm 9205 (LTE Cat M1, NB-IoT, and GNSS), and RAK8211-NB (NB-IoT, LTE, GPS, and BLE 5.0).

TagoIO values interoperability highly. Our platform is designed to manage various types of connectivity such as NB-IoT, LTE, Satellite, and LoRa, as the diagram below shows.

The future of NB-IoT

While debates continue over the future of NB-IoT, its potential decline does not signal an end but instead encourages companies to expand their IoT connectivity strategies. The growing popularity of options like LTE-M and 5G IoT architectures highlights the ongoing evolution and competitive spirit within telecommunications.

A recent advancement in NB-IoT further underlines its evolving capabilities. Two North American companies have completed a Voice over NB-IoT call using the Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) mode (RCR Wireless News). This test operated over a 3GPP-standardized NTN S-band spectrum, which covers frequencies from 2 to 4 GHz. In addition to satellite communications, this band supports services such as 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, CBRS, and C Band mobile services. This achievement represents a significant step toward integrating satellite communications with conventional IoT networks, offering more robust connectivity options for various applications.

For businesses invested in IoT, ensuring that systems can support multiple connectivity options is essential. Instead of relying solely on NB-IoT, it is more flexible to evaluate which solution best meets each application's specific needs.