Long Term Evolution Mobile (LTE-M) is the successor to 4G and the precursor to 5G. With the go-live of the new LTE-M network, business customers can get started with smart solutions. LTE-M allows devices to connect to the internet with much lower battery consumption than ordinary 2G/3G/4G connections. Incidentally, Vodafone already has a nationwide NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network with the ability to send and receive larger amounts of data. In addition, it is also possible to send voice over the network (Voice over LTE). VodafoneZiggo now has the nationwide covering LTE-M network operational and claims that voice communication combined with connected devices can find application in, for example, connected barriers or lifts. Its rival KPN already announced in March 2018, that it had activated a nationwide-coverage LTE-M network.
Vodafone announces it has rolled out a nationwide LTE-M network. LTE-M stands for long-term evolution for machines, a technology that efficiently connects devices to the internet. LTE-M technology was declared a fundamental part of 5G technology by GSMA last month.
John van Vianen (pictured), director business market at VodafoneZiggo: "Worldwide, Vodafone establishes more than 65 million connections between devices, with one million connections added every fortnight. With LTE-M, Vodafone broadens the IoT portfolio for customers, making the telecom company the first to offer the most complete radio network for Internet of Things services. Vodafone is thus taking another important step in the development of 5G, further increasing the speed and reliability of the network. In this way, we are constantly continuing to invest in the 'next generation network'."
VodafoneZiggo reveals that 'real applications' are already currently being tested on its Dutch LTE-M network. For instance, IoT specialist Conneqtech is said to be testing energy-efficient LTE-M solutions for city bikes together with Vodafone. With that application, owners can track and secure their bikes. Together with insurer Axa, Conneqtech is already currently supplying smart locks to Sparta brand e-bikes via the Vodafone network. VodafoneZiggo: "These draw their energy from the e-bike's battery. With LTE-M technology, this is no longer necessary."
Vision and strategy
Curious about VodafoneZiggo's underlying IoT vision and strategy? Then you are at the beck and call. Watch and listen to the exclusive video interview IoTJournal recently had with Marcel Kool,country manager IoT Vodafone Netherlands.
Further explanation of LTE-M
One of the new technical standards for IoT applications are the so-called LTE-M modules (short for Long Term Evolution (4G), category M1), which are used specifically for Machine-to-Machine applications. LTE an sich is the generic term for the whole of 4G - so, for example, the version used by your smartphone is category 6.
LTE-M is one of two responses by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an agreement between various telecommunications standards, to the growing popularity of IoT network technology - with NB-IoT as its little brother. It represents a wireless network where Internet of Things applications can connect directly to a 4G network, without the need for a gateway; which is required for LoRa, for example.
It runs on batteries, which gives it more flexibility and makes it more economical. Compared to NB-IOT, LTE-M is the only one capable of near real-time data transmission, and can also transmit data 'on-the-go': a fixed location is not required. Near real-time updates on location, for instance, are thus transmitted.
LTE-M has been particularly prominent in the US since its launch, and is frequently deployed there; unlike NB-IoT, which is particularly popular in Europe.
Advantages
- Always a huge plus; the technology and devices are relatively cheap. Devices can be connected to a 4G network using special chips, which are less expensive to make: this is because they are half duplex and have a narrower bandwidth.
- Infrastructure is already in place: most LTE transmission towers can be upgraded to also support LTE-M, making it a so-called no brainer, especially for network operators The platform already exists; and the upgrade process is relatively simple.
- The extended battery life makes it an efficient module. Thus, LTE-M connected devices can go into a so-called "deep sleep" mode, called Power Savings Mode (PSM), or wake up only periodically while connected, Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) mode. The projected lifespan on a 5WH battery is about 10 years.
- Lower service costs: since the load of LTE-M devices on the 4G network is a lot lower - the maximum data rate is 100 kbits/second - contracts can be offered that are closer to the prices of the old 2G M2M network than to regular 4G prices.
- Huge applicability: this Machine-to-Machine technology should be so widely applicable that it supports virtually all devices: from smart meters to vending machines and from car fleet management to security and medical equipment.
As an advantage, KPN further states that it is future-proof: LTE-M offers a cheaper alternative to the already existing 4G M2M modules and is a more sustainable, effective alternative to 2G and 3G M2M solutions.
Applications
- Sensor connection and operation. For companies that use sensors as a crucial part of their operations (e.g. cold chain monitoring), it would make a huge difference if they no longer needed to connect via WiFi or a gateway. The idea that a sensor can be equipped with a long-life battery, after which it then "just works", is a hugely attractive one.
- Automated readings from meters. Due to the high costs that came along with previous technologies, network-based modules have lost a lot of popularity. Now that cheaper chips can also connect for much less money, more and more meters will connect to LTE-M for real-time transmission of latest readings.
- Hybrid solutions for locating goods and equipment, using short-range connections such as Bluetooth, combined with backhaul via LTE-M, are a guaranteed hit with this network.
IoT networks compared
Organisations looking to roll out an IoT application may suffer from choice stress. Not only in terms of hardware and cloud platforms, but also when it comes to the wireless network infrastructure to be used. To make the choice easier, we have an overview, albeit technically oriented, comparison of the different standards ready for download (20 pages, 2.84 Mb, PDF).
Video: "What can you actually do with IoT?":
The differences between LTE-M and IoT
Webinar: These are the differences between LTE-M and NB-IoT
This explanation is specifically for ICTs, telecoms professionals or others with deep technical knowledge & interest. Are you there yet? Yes? This webinar is about the differences between wireless network technologies LTE-M and NB-IoT.
