According to the recent NB-IoT and LTE-M Global Ecosystem Report by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), the potential of the internet of things (IoT) is being actively explored through major industry initiatives worldwide across various sectors such as connected and autonomous vehicles, smart or connected homes, agriculture, robotics, smart industry, smart cities and smart energy. The market has witnessed significant growth due to the increased demand for remote operations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, companies are diligently working on IoT use cases that involve narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) and long term evolution machine type communication (LTE-M) networks.

LTE-M and NB-IoT aim to enable efficient, low-power communication for IoT devices, ensuring long battery life and extensive coverage, even in challenging environments. However, they differ significantly. LTE-M supports higher data rates and lower latency, making it ideal for real-time applications such as industrial automation and asset tracking. In contrast, NB-IoT is suited for applications prioritising ultra-low power consumption and extended coverage, such as utility metering. In addition, LTE-M is typically more accommodating in terms of communication, while NB-IoT is optimised for small data packets and user datagram protocol communication, often requiring additional adjustments to function effectively.

When choosing between LTE-M and NB-IoT, the specific needs of the application, including data throughput, latency, power constraints, network coverage, device mobility and scalability, need to

be considered.

The report highlights that while IoT infrastructure, chipsets, modules and devices are readily available from several well-established large companies, small companies and start-ups, the mobile industry has continued to showcase its commitment to a range of low-power wide area network technologies (LPWAN) based on third generation partnership project (3GPP) standards.

The report also notes that technology is considered deployed when it has been installed in the operator’s commercial network and is used for ongoing commercial applications, as opposed to a trial or pilot installation, which might be discontinued. In addition, a network is deemed commercially launched once it is available, at least on a limited basis, for use by commercial customers. As of April 2024, the number of deployed or launched networks has increased significantly.

A look at the key highlights of the GSA report…

The ecosystem of LPWAN devices based on 3GPP standards is growing rapidly. The report highlighted that as of April 2024, 982 devices support 3GPP IoT standards. These devices support either Cat-M1, Cat-NB1 (NB-IoT), or Cat-NB2. Of these, 570 devices, released by 114 vendors, support Cat-NB1 (including known variants), up from 551 devices in September 2023. Meanwhile, 187 identified device models by 41 vendors support Cat-NB2, up from 166 models by 36 vendors. Of the 187 devices, 102 device models (just over 54 per cent) are modules. Meanwhile, 756 devices support Cat-M1 (including known variants).

There has been a steady increase in the number of networks supporting NB-IoT, alongside continued but slow growth in the number of devices compliant with Cat-NB1 and NB2 as well as Cat-M1. Furthermore, the report noted a marginal increase in the number of operators actively investing in LTE-M networks as compared to March 2023.

Live and planned networks

The report mentioned that 258 LTE-M and NB-IoT solutions are being utilised globally, with 147 operators in 68 countries having deployed or launched at least one of these technologies. Among these operators, 60 have chosen to implement both NB-IoT and LTE-M.

NB-IoT launches, plans and trials

As per the report, the number of distinct operators investing in the technology has been rising. However, as compared to the initial roll-out, the rate has slowed down as the market has saturated. The report also stated that 176 operators across 84 countries have been actively investing in NB-IoT networks as compared to 173 operators in March 2023.

Further, 132 operators have deployed or launched NB-IoT networks across 67 countries. Around 24 operators have been piloting, planning, or deploying NB-IoT networks and 20 operators have been evaluating or testing NB-IoT technology.

LTE-M launches, plans and trials

The report noted that 81 operators have been actively investing in LTE-M networks across 45 countries. Of these, 61 operators have deployed or commercially launched LTE-M GSA report highlights growing role of NB-IoT and LTE-Mnetworks in 39 countries. In addition, 11 operators have been planning, deploying, or piloting networks, and nine operators have been engaging in tests or trials of the network.

Devices

According to the report, Cat-NB1 device models by form factor include asset tracker devices, which make up 29 per cent of the total devices. Industrial-grade customer premises equipment (CPE)/routers/gateways hold a 15 per cent share in the total devices. Modules and vehicle on-board units account for 41 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. Moreover, data loggers/IoT sensors comprise 7 per cent of the total devices. Other categories represent 6 per cent of the 570 devices.

Further, a total of 756 devices support Cat-M1, including known variants, as compared to 707 device models in September 2023. The Cat-M1 devices are released by 157 vendors. Modules account for 32 per cent of these devices.

Cat-M1 device models by form factor include asset tracker devices, which comprise 31 per cent of the total devices. Industrial-grade CPE/router/gateway devices account for 21 per cent. Meanwhile, modules and vehicle on-board units make up 32 per cent and 3 per cent of the total share respectively. Data loggers/IoT sensors represent 4 per cent of the total devices while modem devices account for 2 per cent. Further, devices such as alarms, universal serial bus modems, repeaters, routers, vehicle accessories and smart home devices collectively hold a 1 per cent share. However, cameras, wearable devices, smartwatches, femtocells and point-of-sale machines hold no share.

Conclusion

NB-IoT and LTE-M are becoming increasingly popular in the IoT space as they leverage existing infrastructure, offering more efficient and tailored solutions with improved performance. The continued increase in the number of devices supporting Cat-NB1, Cat-NB2 and Cat-M1 aligns with the growing maturity of IoT services provided by operators. However, this rise in devices is beginning to show signs of slowing as 2024 progresses.

The report anticipates rapid growth in the IoT market over the next five years, with 3GPP technologies gaining market share. The expanding size of the 3GPP ecosystem will further drive commercialisation and economies of scale in IoT. Moreover, mobile operators, infrastructure suppliers, chipset and module manufacturers, device companies, and development and testing houses will support new services.