The Internet of Things (IoT) has various connection needs that require different connectivity technologies, and LoRaWAN and NB-IoT are just two of these technologies. In certain scenarios, LoRaWAN and NB-IoT are not in competition but can complement each other.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is continuously changing how we connect and interact with devices, offering various networks for building intelligent solutions. The most notable low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) are Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LoRaWAN.
NB-IoT uses the infrastructure of cellular networks to communicate over long distances between the cloud and devices, and it is compatible with LTE mobile networks. LoRaWAN utilizes the Sub-1GHz unlicensed radio frequency band to enable LPWAN communication between sensors and cloud application servers. LoRa devices and the wireless RF technology (LoRa technology) are rapidly becoming the de facto platform for IoT, providing a variety of application solutions across many vertical industries due to their long range and low power characteristics.
The IoT aims to use suitable technologies to solve real-world problems and improve efficiency. When creating an IoT application, several factors need to be considered, including LPWAN connectivity. Below, we will compare LoRaWAN and NB-IoT technologies:
Ecosystem
LoRaWAN is supported by the LoRa Alliance™, an open, non-profit association with over 500 members. Its members collaborate closely and share experiences, promoting the success of the LoRaWAN protocol, which has become the leading open global standard for secure operator-grade IoT LPWAN connectivity.
NB-IoT is supported by two telecommunications standards organizations, 3GPP and GSMA, both of which share a common goal of promoting the interests of mobile networks and devices.
Spectrum
LoRaWAN is optimized for ultra-low power and remote applications. Thus, networks operating on the unlicensed ISM Sub-1GHz spectrum are freely accessible to network operators and device manufacturers.
NB-IoT uses cellular spectrum networks optimized for spectral efficiency, and the licensing fees for the spectrum used are very high and limited to a few operators.
Deployment Status
According to the LoRa Alliance, there are currently 83 public network operators using LoRaWAN in 49 countries, with many more private enterprises also utilizing LoRaWAN networks.
GSMA represents the interests of NB-IoT, LTE, and other mobile networks, and it states that NB-IoT networks will be launched in 40 countries in the future.
Deployment Options
LoRaWAN networks offer highly flexible deployment options. They can be installed in public, private, or hybrid networks, indoors or outdoors. LoRaWAN signals can penetrate urban infrastructure, and in open rural environments, each gateway can cover 30 miles (approximately 48.3 kilometers).
NB-IoT uses LTE cellular infrastructure and is an outdoor public network requiring deployment of 4G/LTE cellular towers. If sensors exceed the coverage area of the base station, the base station is not easily movable.
Protocol
LoRaWAN protocol asynchronously transmits data, sending data only when needed. This can extend the battery life of sensor devices to up to 10 years, with low battery replacement costs.
NB-IoT requires maintaining a synchronized connection to the cellular network, regardless of whether data needs to be sent. This consumes a significant amount of battery life for sensor devices, leading to high battery replacement costs that may be prohibitive in many applications.
Transmit Current
LoRaWAN provides a transmit current of 18 mA at 10 dBm and 84 mA at 20 dBm. The modulation differences allow LoRaWAN to support very low-cost batteries, including button batteries.
NB-IoT sensors consume approximately 220 mA at 23 dBm and 100 mA at 13 dBm, meaning it requires more power to operate, necessitating more frequent battery replacements or larger capacity batteries.
Receive Current
LoRaWAN provides lower BOM costs and battery life for remote sensors. The receive current is approximately 5 mA, reducing overall power consumption by 3-5 times.
NB-IoT has a receive current of approximately 40 mA. Communication between cellular networks and devices averages over 110 mA, with each communication lasting several tens of seconds. For devices that need to operate for 3, 5, or 10 years, protocol overhead has a significant impact on battery life.
Data Rate
LoRaWAN has a data rate of approximately 293 bps to 50 kbps. The LoRaWAN protocol dynamically adjusts the data rate based on the distance of the sensor from the gateway, optimizing the signal’s airtime and reducing collisions.
NB-IoT has a peak data rate of about 250 kbps, making it more suitable for use cases with higher power budgets and higher data rates (above 50 kbps).
Link Budget
The MCL signal for LoRaWAN varies due to regional regulatory constraints. The link budget ranges from 155 dB to 170 dB.
NB-IoT requires low bit-rate repetition for remote sensors to be able to support them. The maximum link budget is 164 dB.
Mobility
LoRaWAN can support mobile sensors, tracking assets as they move from one place to another. Even without GPS, sufficient accuracy can be achieved for many applications.
NB-IoT is currently limited by idle mode cell reselection and is not optimized for tracking mobile assets.