Why Narrow Band Internet of Things is the Future of IoT
The world of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been growing gradually over the years, with a wide range of applications for different sectors and industries. Recently though, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) has caught the attention of experts and developers in the field for its potential for cost-effective and efficient communications. In this article, we will discuss why NB-IoT is the future of IoT.
What is Narrow Band Internet of Things?
NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technology designed for machine-to-machine communications (M2M). It uses narrow bandwidths of around 200 kHz, allowing for long-range, low-power, and low-cost communications. Compared to other LPWA technologies like Sigfox and LoRaWAN, NB-IoT boasts better coverage, higher reliability, and greater security.
The Benefits of Narrow Band Internet of Things
1. Lower Power Consumption: With NB-IoT, devices can operate up to 10 years on a single battery charge, which is an essential aspect of the IoT application where sensors and other devices are deployed in remote areas with little or no access to a power source.
2. Extended Coverage: NB-IoT can penetrate deep indoors and underground, making it perfect for applications in industries like agriculture, healthcare, and smart cities.
3. Cost-effective: The low bandwidth of NB-IoT enables higher efficiency and lower costs in data transmission; the solution is affordable, making it an excellent technology for companies looking to deploy IoT application cost-effectively.
Real-world Applications of Narrow Band Internet of Things
1. Smart Utility Metering: In the Netherlands, Alliander has employed IoT sensors connected through narrowband. These sensors monitor natural gas and electricity consumption in buildings, providing necessary data for energy management.
2. Smart Parking: Sensors fitted on parking slots that aid in finding a suitable available slot can be facilitated through NB-IoT. Using geo-location data, occupancies in real-time update, reducing congestion caused by searching for parking spaces.
3. Smart Buildings: Through NB-IoT, buildings can be managed and controlled remotely which allows for energy optimization.
The Future of NB-IoT
According to Ericsson’s Mobility Report, the number of devices using NB-IoT is set to increase 590 million by 2022, making it the fastest-growing connectivity solution for IoT. As the technology improves and becomes more accessible, more businesses will begin implementing NB-IoT to monitor and manage their assets.
Conclusion
Narrow Band Internet of Things is already making waves in the IoT ecosystem for businesses looking to deploy cost-effective and efficient IoT solutions. With benefits like lower power consumption, extended coverage and cost-effectiveness, it’s no wonder NB-IoT is quickly becoming the connectivity solution of choice for different sectors. Businesses looking to capitalize on IoT solutions should no longer overlook NB-IoT’s potential to transform an industry with its benefits.
