The Internet of Things – or IoT – is a term you get to hear more and more about. It is an area of great growth, and as more companies seek new ways to digitize their business and products, IoT will gain more momentum. IoT technology is a way to digitize by bridging the physical and digital. It happens by connecting “things”, ie. physical objects such as a garbage can or a production machine, for the internet. They can be connected through small wireless sensors and sim cards, allowing them to communicate and send data, either to other “things” or to consumers or employees of the company.
And IoT is not just for large private companies. Both in private and in public, decision-makers have realised that there is a lot to gain, save and earn by investing in IoT solutions. Wireless devices and smart sensors that, with minimal use of power, can communicate effectively via an internet connection, are not something of the future. It is right now, and IoT is only becoming more and more widespread.
In several places across the country we see that municipalities connect garbage cans with IoT, so the garbage truck only has to drive out when the containers are full. It is good for both the economy and the environment. In private as well as public office environments, the indoor climate and employee well-being are also improved with IoT. Here you set up room sensors that monitor temperature, air quality, sound and other values that can affect the working environment. By using this data correctly, workplaces can achieve positive effects on efficiency and sick leave. Within the construction industry, we also see companies using IoT to optimize their business. Here, IoT is used to protect tools and materials on construction sites, by installing small trackers directly on the equipment. That way, they always know where it is.
You can read more about IoT from Telenor here.
NB – IoT and LTE-M: networking for IoT
It takes a good network to make a good IoT solution. That is, a network designed specifically for IoT. For this purpose there are NB-IoT and LTE-M. It is both IoT network technologies that support the use of i IoT today and in the future. There are typically other needs for coverage, battery performance, and the size of the amounts of data to be transported to and from the device. Many IoT solutions need to be able to capture signal and send data through thick concrete walls or in remote areas where there is usually insufficient coverage. And just here, NB-IoT and LTE-M excel, where penetration is higher and coverage is wider.
Both NB-IoT and LTE-M use very little power, and in fact the devices can achieve a battery life of up to 10 years depending on the configuration of the individual device. Since IoT devices are often located in hard-to-reach places, replacing batteries will be expensive and difficult. This is precisely why it is important that the devices keep power for many years.
If you compare NB-IoT and LTE-M with the well – known 2G and 4G networks, the advantage of the IoT networks is that the coverage is deeper and wider and far more efficient. That is, NB-IoT and LTE-M reach places and areas that the more familiar network technologies do not.
And IoT is also future-proof, as they are part of the new 5G network. In addition, the devices are cheaper to develop modem. That, along with IoT technology being globally standardized, makes that IoT is here to stay, and we will continually see more and more companies hooking their “stuff” to the internet through IoT technology.
Is it NB-IoT or LTE-M you need?
The two different IoT networks have different advantages, and therefore it is individually which options are best suited to the IoT solution you are working with. It is therefore sensible to seek advice from operators and others who know something about IoT, so that you choose the right technology for your project.
See how Telenor can help you.
NB-IoT (NarrowBand) is characterized by operating at a lower frequency. This means that the technology transports larger amounts of data at a lower speed than, for example, 4G, on which a smartphone typically operates.
NB-IoT, in turn, offers an extremely strong signal penetration and a significantly lower power consumption. The signal penetrates concrete and iron in places where there will otherwise be weak or no coverage with 2G and 4G. NB-IoT is therefore the right choice if you need to send signals through buildings with very thick walls or places where coverage is usually challenged. It could be a moisture sensor in a basement, or an IoT-connected trash can in a cottage area.
And with up to 10 years of battery life, do not worry about replacing the battery on the devices. It will typically not be economical, and it is therefore an advantage that the device can keep power throughout its life.
LTE-M has many of the same benefits as NB-IoT. However, to a lesser extent. In turn, LTE-M is obvious at IoT solutions that require mobility-that is, where the device moves. If in f.ex. should track goods or vehicle over long distances where there is a power supply to which the unit can be connected, LTE-M is an obvious choice. This makes it possible to effectively connect the device to the Internet when it travels across TeleMasters in and outside Denmark.
You could thus say that NB-IoT is the right solution for a stationary use case where operation and battery life are the most important. LTE-M, on the other hand, is an obvious choice if the IoT devices are in motion and have access to power supply.
Telenor can help you all the way
Are you a company with ideas for IoT solutions that can give you more value? If you ally with an experienced partner, such as Telenor, you will get outstanding advice and access to the latest technologies. You also get sparring, good advice and concrete tools to test your IoT project, so you can quickly find out if it creates the right value for you and your customers.
Telenor is the largest IoT supplier in the Nordic countries and specializes in helping customers succeed with IoT. Telenor is known for providing a strong connection via their SIM card and telemaster. Telenor’s IoT experts provide advice on everything from hardware selection to design and testing of IoT solutions. They help everything from global companies and small start-ups to public authorities to understand the possibilities with IoT and not least to steer clear of the pitfalls you typically encounter in an IoT project.
With Telenor as an IoT partner, you as a company get access to leading experts and the latest IoT technology. You will receive sparring on the development of the business case and advice on which partners to ally with in order to achieve the goals of your project. You will also get the tools to test the solution in small pilot projects. And then Telenor gives you access to test devices on Telenor’s network via Free test SIM cards or in Telenor’s IoT Test Lab.
