Tech Insights: LTE-M and NB-IoT – New Standards for Cellular Intelligence

As part of the openRISE project, the team is continuously advancing technologies for cellular intelligence. The focus lies on enhancing the capabilities of cell measurement devices. The goal is to capture all cell networks across all mobile technologies – with a prior emphasis on GSM, LTE, and 5G NR. However, with the growing importance of IoT applications, the specific network standards LTE-M and NB-IoT are coming into focus.

LTE-M: Mobility and Versatility

The LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution for Machines) standard was designed specifically for mobile IoT applications. It excels in mobility and even supports voice transmission, making it ideal for numerous scenarios. LTE-M can be deployed within existing LTE networks (inband), enabling straightforward implementation. With lower energy consumption, greater range, and improved building penetration compared to traditional LTE, LTE-M is well-suited for applications such as:

		- Vehicle and goods tracking  
		- Wearables  
		- E-health solutions  

The versatility of LTE-M makes it the top choice for mobile IoT applications that require stable connectivity even in complex environments.

NB-IoT: Energy Efficiency for Stationary Applications

NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is primarily geared toward stationary IoT applications. Unlike LTE-M, NB-IoT does not support handover functionality or voice transmission. However, it stands out for its:

		- Extremely low energy consumption  
		- Exceptional range  
		- Superior building penetration  

Like LTE-M, NB-IoT can be deployed within existing LTE networks, either inband or within the guard band. Typical use cases for NB-IoT include:

		- Smart metering  
		- Environmental monitoring  
		- Building automation  

Focusing on stationary applications, NB-IoT is the ideal solution for IoT devices requiring energy-efficient, long-lasting, and stable connections.

Integration into the openRISE Project

The openRISE project expands the analytical capabilities of existing cell measurement devices to seamlessly integrate the new IoT standards LTE-M and NB-IoT. Development efforts included test activities such as retrograde traffic data analysis and real-time traffic data extraction. Results indicate that traffic data from LTE-M and NB-IoT can be stored analogously to those of other mobile standards.

In the future, custom-developed hardware and software will ensure precise and efficient data collection and analysis for these standards. This positions openRISE as an innovative project that not only optimizes traditional cellular intelligence but also meets the growing demands of the IoT sector.

Conclusion

By integrating LTE-M and NB-IoT, openRISE expands the scope of cellular intelligence to include key IoT technologies. While LTE-M excels in mobility and versatility, NB-IoT offers energy efficiency and extended range. Both standards are essential for advancing forward-thinking communication solutions – and openRISE ensures seamless integration into existing systems.