NB-IoT Sensors
Cellular IoT
Reliable, Long-Life, Wide-Reach Sensor Networks
IoT deployments in remote sites, underground, inside buildings, or over wide areas demand connectivity that is low-power, cost-efficient, and rock solid. Common pain points include:
- Battery maintenance and limited device lifespan
- Weak signal penetration (indoors, basements)
- High device counts in harsh radio environments
- Varying data payloads (small, intermittent bursts)
- Connectivity continuity and roaming across regions
- Managing sensors and provisioning at scale
If sensor connectivity fails or drains power too fast, your IoT use cases break down before they even get off the ground.
NB-IoT Challenges
Battery Life & Power Constraints
Devices often run off batteries in remote or inaccessible locations — power must be extremely frugal.
Weak Signal / Penetration & Coverage
Devices placed indoors, in basements, or behind materials often suffer from weak signals or loss.
Device Density & Network Capacity
Many sensors in a cell area can congest signalling or collision zones.
Small Payloads, Intermittent Data
Most sensors send small data bursts infrequently — full cellular stacks create waste
Connectivity Reliability & Roaming
Devices may cross regions or networks — connectivity must remain stable.
Scalable Provisioning & Management
Managing a large number of sensors manually is unworkable
Subnetik Solutions
Battery Life & Power Constraints
Use NB-IoT’s built-in power saving modes (e.g. PSM, eDRX), ultra-low current consumption, and sleep intervals.
Sensor deployments can run for years without battery replacement.
Weak Signal / Penetration & Coverage
Narrowband spectral efficiency, high link budget, signal repetition, coverage enhancement features.
Reliable connectivity in hard-to-reach or obstructed locations, not just open line-of-sight.
Device Density & Network Capacity
NB-IoT supports massive numbers of devices per cell, optimized signaling, reduced overhead.
You can connect many sensors without performance collapse.
Small Payloads, Intermittent Data
NB-IoT is optimized for small packets and minimal overhead.
You pay only for what you use — low data cost per device
Connectivity Reliability & Roaming
Use robust NB-IoT modules with fallback modes, work with carriers for roaming support, redundant path logic.
Devices stay online even when network conditions or borders change.
Scalable Provisioning & Management
Remote provisioning, over-the-air firmware updates (FOTA), device monitoring & health dashboards.
You operate large sensor fleets at scale, with minimal operations burden.
Why This NB-IoT Approach Works
- Ultra-Low Power & Long Lifespan — Ideal for battery-powered, remote sensors.
- Deep Penetration & Reliable Coverage — Works indoors, underground, behind obstacles.
- Scalable Device Density — Designed for massive sensor deployments.
- Cost-Efficient Data Use — Fits small, infrequent payloads with minimal overhead.
- Robust Connectivity & Roaming — Reliable network link across geography.
- Operational Simplicity at Scale — Provisioning, updates, monitoring built in.
Subnetik’s portfolio includes NB-IoT sensor modules and devices, integrated connectivity support, and distribution across MENA. We combine NB-IoT and LTE-M offerings with deployment support and tools to simplify IoT rollout.
