Orange Belgium, a leading telecommunications operator in the country, has announced a nationwide rollout of Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE-M technologies—collectively known as Mobile IoT—across its network.
NB-IoT and LTE-M are Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) cellular technologies designed to connect large numbers of devices to the Internet of Things. They are optimized for low-power, low-cost devices and enable reliable, long-range connectivity for smart sensors and trackers.
LPWA technologies bring several advantages for IoT deployments: they extend the battery life of connected devices, lower the cost of radio modules, and support efficient tracking of assets and sensors. Those benefits make LPWA well suited to use cases such as environmental monitoring, utility metering, asset tracking, and smart city applications.
Mobile IoT supports full bidirectional communication between connected devices and the network. It also improves indoor and deep-indoor coverage—offering up to about +20 dB better penetration than legacy 2G/4G signals—so devices located inside buildings or underground can maintain more reliable connections.
Operating in licensed spectrum, Mobile IoT ensures controlled and reliable connectivity. Security is strengthened by SIM-based authentication and the native capabilities of LTE networks for encrypting data in transit, providing a safer environment for critical IoT applications.
Gabriel Flichy, Chief Technology Officer of Orange Belgium, emphasized the future-proof nature of the technology: “The choice for Mobile IoT technologies is future-proof as it is fully consistent with the future evolution towards 5G. It will then be possible to connect objects that require very high reliability, for example for the remote control of critical devices and automation processes.”
Orange Belgium is already deploying Mobile IoT in practical projects across the region. In collaboration with partners Huawei and Sensinxs, the operator is working with the Flemish government on a connected bike initiative. Research institute IMEC is testing a smart plug project as part of Antwerp’s City of Things program, and Orange has partnered with CommuniThings to deliver smart parking solutions. Orange invites application developers, system integrators, and early adopters to explore and test the capabilities of its Mobile IoT network.
What are your thoughts on Orange Belgium’s LPWA network? Let us know in the comments.