The document provides a comparative analysis of two low-power wide-area network technologies, NB-IoT and LoRa, focusing on their technical characteristics, communication distances, and application use cases. NB-IoT utilizes licensed frequency bands and offers better indoor coverage, while LoRa operates on unlicensed bands and is more cost-effective. Both technologies are essential for the development of IoT applications, requiring continued innovation and collaboration for widespread deployment.

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NB-IoT VS Lora
This article is talking about NB-IoT VS Lora, comparative analysis of NB-IoT and Lora technology.
The rapid development of the Internet of Things puts forward higher requirements for wireless
communication technology. The LPWAN (low-power Wide-Area Network) is also rapidly
emerging.
IoT applications need to consider many factors, such as node costs, network costs, battery life,
data transmission rate (throughput), latency, mobility, network coverage, and deployment types.
It can be said that no single technology can meet all IoT requirements demand.
NB-IoT and LoRa have different technical and commercial characteristics and are also the two
most promising low-power wide-area network communication technologies.
Both of these LPWAN technologies have the characteristics of wide coverage, multiple
connections, low speed, low cost, and low power consumption. Both are suitable for low-power
IoT applications and are actively expanding their ecosystems.
IoT communication technology
There are many wireless communication technologies for the Internet of Things, which are
mainly divided into two categories. One is short-distance communication technologies such as
Zigbee, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Z-wave; the other is LPWAN, that is, wide area network
communication technology.
LPWA can be divided into two categories, one is Lora, SigFox, and other technologies that work in
the unlicensed spectrum; the other is 2/3/4G cellular communication technologies that work in
licensed spectrum and supported by 3GPP, such as EC-GSM, LTE Cat-m, NB-IoT, etc.
Lora and NB-IoT are both low-power wide-area IoT technologies and are currently two
mainstream technology genres in China.

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NB-IoT VS Lora Technology
What is Lora?
Lora (Long Range) is an ultra-long-distance wireless transmission scheme based on spread
spectrum technology adopted and promoted by Semtech in the United States.
This solution changes the previous compromise between transmission distance and power
consumption and provides users with a simple system that can achieve long-distance, low-power,
and large-capacity, and expand the sensor network.
The LoRa network is mainly composed of four parts: terminal (with built-in LoRa module), Lora
gateway (or base station), server and cloud, and application data can be transmitted in both
directions.
What is NB-IoT?
NB-IoT (Narrow Band-Internet of Things, Narrow Band-Internet of Things) is a technical standard
defined by the 3GPP standardization organization. It is a narrow-band radiofrequency technology
designed for the Internet of Things that can be widely used worldwide. Using the license
frequency band, three deployment methods, including an in-band, guard band, or an
independent carrier, can be adapted to coexist with existing networks.
NB-IoT VS LoRa frequency bands
NB-IoT uses licensed frequency bands and has three deployment methods: independent
deployment, guardband deployment, and in-band deployment. The mainstream frequency bands
in the world are 800MHz and 900MHz.
China Telecom will deploy NB-IoT in the 800MHz frequency band, while China Unicom will
choose 900MHz to deploy NB-IoT, and China Mobile may replant the existing 900MHz frequency
band.
Lora uses the unlicensed ISM frequency band, but the usage of the ISM frequency band in
different countries or regions is different.
In the Chinese market, the China LoRa Application Alliance (CLAA) led by ZTE recommends
470-518MHz. The 470-510MHz frequency band is used by radio metering instruments.
Since LoRa works in the unlicensed frequency band, network construction can be carried out
without application. The network architecture is simple and the operating cost is low.
The LoRa Alliance is vigorously promoting the standardized LoRaWAN protocol around the world
so that devices that comply with the LoRaWAN specification can be interconnected.
NB-IoT VS Lora communication distance
NB-IoT communication distance
The signal coverage of the mobile network depends on the base station density and link budget.
NB-IoT has a link budget of 164dB, GPRS has a link budget of 144dB (TR 45.820), and LTE is
142.7dB (TR 36.888).
Compared with GPRS and LTE, the NB-IoT link budget has been increased by 20dB, and the signal
coverage of the open environment can be increased by seven times.
20dB is equivalent to the loss of the signal penetrating the outer wall of the building, and the
signal coverage of the NB-IoT indoor environment is relatively good. Generally speaking, the

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communication distance of NB-IoT is 15km.
Lora communication distance
Lora provides a maximum link budget of 168dB and a power output of +20dBm with its unique
patented technology. The wireless distance range is 1~2 kilometers in the city, and the wireless
distance can reach up to 20km in the suburbs.
NB-IoT VS LoRa cost
No matter how powerful the LPWAN protocol is, its low cost needs to be considered, otherwise
they cannot be a viable IoT solution.
Lora has an advantage in this regard. The overall cost of the LoRaWAN module is around US$8-10,
which is about half of the price of cellular LTE modules such as NB-IoT.
The complexity of the NB-IoT network is high, and the intellectual property-related (in terms of
an authorized frequency band) costs are higher, which increases the total cost of NB-IoT.
Upgrading NB-IoT to advanced 4G / LTE base stations is more expensive than LoRa deployment
through industrial gateways or tower-top gateways. As the market becomes more mature, the
cost of LoRa technology is expected to drop further.
NB-IoT VS LoRa applications
Examples of NB-IoT applications
(1) Shared bicycles: wide distribution, low unit density, suitable for relying on the operator's
network;
(2) Smart meter reading: The owner does not have a high collection frequency, does not have
high requirements for network availability, and does not want to consider self-built base stations
(3) Water accumulation/pipe network monitoring: wide distribution, low unit density;
(4) Universal wearable series: The terminals are distributed throughout the urban area, which is
suitable for relying on the operator's network;
(5) Smart parking: The geomagnetic vehicle detector developed for Small and Light Stops uses
geomagnetism to induce changes in the magnetic field to determine vehicle entry and exit. The
uplink and downlink wireless links use the NB-IoT standard, and complete the docking with
OneNET and support the parking platform application of the 5G Joint Creation Laboratory.
Examples of Lora applications
(1) Smart meter reading: The owner has high requirements for collection frequency and needs to
do data analysis, and has high requirements for network availability;
(2) Road parking detector: The collection frequency is high, but there are certain requirements
for the terminal life;
(3) Fields in the suburbs, such as mining, extractive industry, suburban heavy industry, etc.
(4) Regional centralized type: For example, users in universities, general education, and parks
want to build a private network to manage their own facilities and applications.
NB-IoT VS Lora in conclusion
Both NB-IoT and LoRa are still in the initial stage of development and require input and common
development from all parties. When large-scale deployment becomes a reality, the cost of NB-IoT
and LoRa modules will naturally be further reduced.

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As far as technical solutions are concerned, in a short time, NB-IoT and LoRa will definitely be
parallel, with common points, advantages, and disadvantages.
If it is affected by factors other than the technical solution, such as the innovation of profit
models, the close integration with the application industry, and the use of industry influence,
then any result is possible.
In this new wave of the development of the Internet of Things, the first to land the project, there
is a chance to win the first step. NB-IoT and LoRa need not only product innovation, but also
project application innovation.
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