Question 1

Does NB-IoT have monthly fees?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since the licensed mobile network is used, there are small connectivity costs per sensor (similar to a mobile contract, but in the cent range). We often bundle these costs into our service flat rate.

Question 2

What happens when 2G/3G is shut down?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. NB-IoT (and LTE-M) are part of the 5G standard. They are explicitly designed as successors to 2G/3G and are future-proof for the next decades.

Question 3

Do I need LTE coverage on my phone for NB-IoT to work?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. NB-IoT has significantly higher range and penetration than regular LTE (up to +20dB). Sensors in the 2nd basement often still have reception where your smartphone shows 'No Signal'.

Question 4

Can I mix LoRaWAN and NB-IoT?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is often the best strategy. Use LoRaWAN for your factory premises (cost-effective, high density) and NB-IoT for trucks or external warehouses. In the merkaio platform, both data streams come together in one dashboard.

Question 5

What's the difference to LTE-M (Cat-M1)?

Accepted Answer

LTE-M is the 'big brother'. It allows higher data rates and even voice, but consumes slightly more power. NB-IoT is strictly optimized for power saving and building penetration. We advise you on which standard suits you best.

Question 6

Sensors often send cryptic data (UDP/CoAP). How do I get it into my cloud?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the biggest hurdles with NB-IoT. To save data volume and energy, sensors often use lightweight protocols like UDP or CoAP instead of web-friendly HTTP or MQTT. The merkaio solution: Our platform acts as "middleware". We receive the UDP packets from network operators, decode the payload (e.g., from Milesight) and forward it as clean JSON objects via MQTT or REST API to your dashboard. You don't have to deal with hex codes.

Question 7

How long does the battery last compared to LoRaWAN?

Accepted Answer

Honestly: Usually a bit shorter. An NB-IoT sensor must actively synchronize with the cell tower ("handshake"), which costs more energy than LoRaWAN's "fire-and-forget" principle. Nevertheless, runtimes of 3 to 8 years are realistic when features like PSM (Power Saving Mode) and eDRX (Extended Discontinuous Reception) are configured correctly. We handle this fine-tuning for you.

Question 8

Is NB-IoT suitable for real-time controls (e.g., emergency stop)?

Accepted Answer

No. NB-IoT has high latency (delay). When a sensor is in deep sleep, it can take several seconds to minutes before it "wakes up" and sends data. It's unsuitable for critical real-time applications (machine control)  -  local cables or special 5G/campus networks are needed here. For meter readings or fill levels, the latency is irrelevant.

Question 9

Can I install firmware updates over the air (FOTA)?

Accepted Answer

Theoretically yes, but we advise caution. NB-IoT bandwidth is very limited. A firmware update can take hours and heavily drain the battery (costing up to 20-30% capacity). We recommend FOTA only for critical security patches, not for "nice-to-have" features.

Question 10

Do I have to manually insert 1,000 plastic SIM cards?

Accepted Answer

No. For industrial rollouts, we use hardware with permanently soldered SIM chips (MFF2 / eSIM). This is more robust against vibrations (important for machines/containers) and corrosion. Plus, it eliminates the manual effort of inserting cards.

Question 11

Does my NB-IoT solution work internationally (roaming)?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no. NB-IoT roaming is more complex than regular LTE because network operators need special agreements. Our solution: We use so-called Multi-IMSI SIM cards. These cards can virtually switch providers (e.g., from Deutsche Telekom to AT&T USA) to be accepted as a "local" card everywhere. This is how we guarantee cross-border tracking.

Question 12

What happens when the mobile provider has maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Since NB-IoT runs on regular LTE infrastructure, you benefit from the high availability of major telcos. If a tower fails, the sensor tries to connect to the next cell (if in range). Unlike a private gateway (single point of failure), you have a certain redundancy through the public network.

Question 13

Is NB-IoT more secure than license-free radio?

Accepted Answer

It offers a different kind of security. Since NB-IoT transmits in licensed spectrum, it's harder to jam than open frequencies. Additionally, each device authenticates uniquely via SIM card. For critical infrastructure (KRITIS), NB-IoT is therefore often preferred.

Question 14

We're planning 10,000 meters in a city. Will the network collapse?

Accepted Answer

No. NB-IoT was specifically developed for "Massive IoT". A single cell can theoretically manage up to 50,000 devices because the data packets are extremely small. It's the ideal technology for city-wide smart metering rollouts.

Question 15

Can I determine my asset's location without GPS?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but inaccurately. Via cell towers (Cell-ID triangulation), we can determine the location to approximately 500m to 2km accuracy. This is often enough to know which city a container is in, without needing a power-hungry GPS module. For precise tracking, we recommend sensors with GPS+NB-IoT combo.

Criterion	LoRaWAN (Own Network)	NB-IoT (Provider Network)
Infrastructure	Own gateways required	Existing cell towers
Costs	One-time (hardware)	Recurring (SIM fees)
Sensor Density	Many sensors in confined space	Distributed individual sensors
Mobility	Stationary (own network)	Roaming (Europe-wide)
Recommendation	Industrial halls, buildings, ports	Logistics, utilities, silos

IoT Without Your Own Network.NB-IoT Infrastructure.

Mobile Networks for Machines.

Plug & Play

Excellent Building Penetration

Roaming & Mobility

Security

LoRaWAN or NB-IoT?

We Tame the Complexity.

Hardware

Connectivity

Data Bridge

Platform

When NB-IoT is the Right Choice.

Logistics & Tracking

Decentralized Fill Levels

Smart Metering

Frequently Asked Questions about NB-IoT

Leading companies worldwide trust merkaio

Let's start your IoT project. Digital and on-site.