Naar hoofdinhoud
TECHNOLOGY · RADIO

LTE-M and NB-IoT for low-power devices

Two network technologies built for devices that send little data, run for years on a battery or sit deep indoors. We help you choose and supply the cards.

Book an advisory callSee meters and sensors
Low-power IoT modules on LTE-M and NB-IoT
LTE-M
Mobile and voice capable
NB-IoT
Deep indoors, very efficient
2G
Fallback where needed
THE CHALLENGE

You only notice the wrong radio technology after roll-out

A choice that looks right on paper can drain batteries or miss messages in the field.

Confusing terminology

LTE-M, NB-IoT, LPWAN and Cat-1 are used interchangeably by suppliers.

Mobility overlooked

NB-IoT is not built for a device moving between cell towers.

Latency underestimated

NB-IoT can add seconds of delay, too slow for some applications.

Hardware supports one choice

Once the modem is picked, the technology is fixed.

OUR APPROACH

Choose first, deploy after

We work through the choice before you order hardware.

01

Define the profile

Data volume, frequency, battery, mobility and latency lined up.

02

Assign the technology

NB-IoT for static, low-power meters. LTE-M when there is movement or higher demands.

03

Field test

Test cards at a few representative sites before the full roll-out.

04

Deploy with fallback

2G or LTE configured as a fallback where useful.

COMPARISON

LTE-M versus NB-IoT

Bandwidth
LTE-M up to roughly 1 Mbit/s, NB-IoT tens of kbit/s
Mobility
LTE-M supports cell handover, NB-IoT does not
Latency
LTE-M low, NB-IoT up to several seconds
Indoor coverage
NB-IoT penetrates deeper into basements and shafts
Battery
Both efficient, NB-IoT typically the most efficient
RATES

Which plan fits this solution?

LTE-M and NB-IoT are built for small messages and long battery life. That is why IoT Lite with 200 MB per SIM is enough in most projects, with IoT Core available for devices that occasionally pull firmware.

Choose ex. or incl. Belgian VAT of 21 percent

PER SIM CARD

01

IoT Lite

Slimme meters, sensoren, tracking.

€ 3/ sim / maand

excl. VAT

  • 200 Mb per sim
  • 5G netwerktoegang
  • Data monitoring
  • Data pooling
Choose this plan→
02

IoT Core

Laadstations, asset tracking, vending.

€ 8/ sim / maand

excl. VAT

  • 1 Gb per sim
  • 5G netwerktoegang
  • Data monitoring
  • Data pooling
Choose this plan→

DATA POOL ON ONE NETWORK

01

IoT Flex

Data-pool vanaf 50 sims.

€ 400/ month

excl. VAT

  • 100 Gb inbegrepen
  • € 2,00 per sim
  • 5G netwerktoegang
  • Data monitoring & pooling
Choose this plan→
02

IoT Ultra

Data-pool vanaf 200 sims.

€ 700/ month

excl. VAT

  • 300 Gb inbegrepen
  • € 1,50 per sim
  • 5G netwerktoegang
  • Data monitoring & pooling
Choose this plan→

Options with this setup

  • Deep indoor coverage in basements, shafts and meter cabinets
  • Pooling so unused data from quiet devices is not lost
  • Usage cap per card to throttle stuck devices

All prices are monthly. SIM cards and eSIM profiles, activation and a private APN are billed separately.

Request a tailored proposalAll IoT rates

Unsure between LTE-M and NB-IoT?

Describe your device and installation, we will give a grounded recommendation.

Book an advisory callSee meters and sensors

Frequently asked questions about LTE-M and NB-IoT

Which do I pick for a tracker?↓

LTE-M, because the tracker moves and has to check in quickly on a new cell.

Which do I pick for a water meter in a basement?↓

NB-IoT, for the deeper indoor coverage and the long battery life.

Will 2G remain as a fallback?↓

2G stays available on the Belgian networks for now, but we recommend building new deployments on LTE-M or NB-IoT.

Can one card use both technologies?↓

The card is not the limitation, the modem is. A modem supporting both can switch with the same card.

More in this cluster

Pick the source that matches your question