Close the Gap - Achieve Complete IoT Coverage for Hard-to-Reach Locations with NB-IoT Solutions

Digitalization and the Internet of Things (IoT) are advancing at a rapid pace. It is no wonder that more and more businesses and public institutions are adopting IoT technologies like LoRaWAN to efficiently collect meter and sensor data.

This technology enables long-range wireless communication and plays a crucial role in applications such as smart metering, sensor network monitoring, and many others. However, despite its versatility, there is one major challenge—achieving full network coverage.

In buildings with thick concrete walls, deep basements, or remote areas, the range of LoRaWAN can reach its limits. A stable network for remote data collection requires nearly seamless coverage. Often, it is the last 20% of the area that is hardest to reach, resulting in signal loss or interrupted data transmission. This is where a technology like NB-IoT comes into play, bridging the coverage gaps.  

Why 80% Coverage is Not Enough - The Hidden Issues in Your IoT Network

Conventional LoRaWAN gateways often provide good coverage, but when transmitters —such as sensors and meters— need to send data from deep basements or through thick walls, the limits of this technology become apparent. The position of the gateway can also play a significant role, particularly if it is located in hard-to-reach areas. In underground levels, deep pits, or remote locations, data transmission may become unreliable.

Check your network: Are all sensor and meter data from basements or remote network points reliably reaching your central server? Apart from the loss of sensor and meter data, insufficient network coverage may affect other systems like alarms or communication between devices. Without reliable coverage, you risk losing critical information, which could lead to serious consequences: Leaks might go undetected, improperly configured heat transfer stations remain unaddressed, and tampering with equipment could go unnoticed. This increases operational risks and results in higher costs due to manual inspections and rework.

Real-Time Data as The Key to Reliable Forecasting and Risk Management

More and more locations are potentially exposed to unpredictable natural events such as earthquakes, land shifts, or extreme weather conditions. In such cases, permanent and reliable real-time data is crucial for making accurate predictions and taking early action. Only with complete network coverage, including hard-to-reach areas, can businesses ensure their IoT systems continuously and accurately capture data.

Missing sensor data not only leads to operational inefficiency but also forces companies to manually intervene onsite to retrieve the data, causing delays and additional costs. For businesses relying on real-time data for monitoring and forecasting, seamless network coverage is indispensable.

This is where NB-IoT provides the perfect solution. With its ability to maintain stable connections even in hard-to-reach locations, NB-IoT extends network coverage where LoRaWAN and wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus) reach their technical limits. This ensures that businesses can maintain continuous and reliable network performance, even in extreme conditions.

NB-IoT – The Solution for Hard-to-Reach Locations

NB-IoT (Narrowband-IoT) is a wireless technology designed to transmit small amounts of data over long distances—even in remote or difficult-to-reach areas. It leverages mobile networks and offers an especially wide range. One of the key advantages of NB-IoT is its ability to send signals through thick walls and out of deep basements, where technologies like LoRaWAN and wM-Bus reach their limits.

NB-IoT is also highly energy-efficient, meaning sensors can operate with minimal power consumption for years. This makes it ideal for IoT applications that require stable communication, particularly in remote or underground locations.

How NB-IoT Enhances Your Existing LoRaWAN and wM-Bus Networks

Utility companies, municipalities, industrial businesses, building operators, and service providers using LoRaWAN or wM-Bus for their IoT projects often face challenges in hard-to-reach or remote areas. This is where NB-IoT can make a critical difference. It extends network coverage, closing gaps that traditional technologies cannot reach—without the need for additional gateways or expensive infrastructure.

Practical Use Cases – Utility Providers, Network Operators, and Waterworks in Rural and Urban Areas

In the case of waterworks or utility networks in vast rural regions, the distance between measurement points is often so large that LoRaWAN communication alone is not sufficient. The signal must traverse long distances and overcome physical barriers like hills or buildings. By integrating NB-IoT, even these challenging points can be reliably reached. In urban areas where dense construction can obstruct signals, NB-IoT ensures all data is transmitted smoothly.

For a utility provider using smart metering, a hybrid network can ensure that all consumption data—including that from remote or underground meters—are captured and transmitted to the central network. This not only provides complete network coverage but also reduces manual interventions and optimizes real-time data transmission.

The Elvaco Hybrid Solution: Complete Coverage Without Extra Effort

Have you taken a close look at the network coverage of your IoT system in hard-to-reach areas? In deep basements, pits, or remote locations, transmission issues often occur. These problems are quickly identified by the data collection software, but resolving them can require significant effort and expense.

When meters or sensors are not reachable, manual data collection is required, leading to additional staffing and time expenses. Here are some of the steps that become necessary when network coverage is insufficient:

• On-site technician deployment: Staff must be sent into the field for manual data collection.

• Appointment coordination: Scheduling with residents or building managers to gain access to meters and sensors.

• Safety measures: In certain locations, like pits, two-person teams are often needed for safety reasons.

• High personnel costs: Additional expenses from manual rework and extensive data collection.

If these challenges sound familiar, it is a clear sign that your IoT infrastructure in these areas needs improvement. Elvaco's hybrid solution provides an efficient and cost-effective way to close these gaps.

Elvaco: The Solution for the Final Gaps in Your Network Coverage

When it comes to your IoT network, it is often the hardest-to-reach areas that pose the biggest challenges. These last few meters—whether in deep basements or remote locations—are crucial to achieving full coverage. Addressing these gaps requires specialized technology. With NB-IoT, Elvaco offers the perfect solution to ensure reliable coverage in these difficult-to-reach spots.

Key Benefits of Elvaco’s NB-IoT Solution:

• Seamless integration: Elvaco’s NB-IoT technology integrates effortlessly into existing systems, with no need for additional hardware or complex configurations.

• Complete network coverage: From basements to remote outdoor sites, you will achieve 100% coverage—even in the most challenging environments.

• Cost savings: Fewer manual interventions and less need for additional hardware translate into lower operational costs.

• Remote device management: With two-way communication, you can easily manage and monitor devices remotely, reducing the need for on-site visits.

With Elvaco, you no longer need to worry about unreachable areas in your network. Our solution provides reliable, comprehensive coverage that simplifies operations and keeps your IoT systems running smoothly.

Close the Gaps in Your IoT Network!

Learn how to achieve complete coverage, even in hard-to-reach locations—quickly, efficiently, and without extra hardware. Download our free "Close the Gap" flyer for all the essential information on Elvaco’s NB-IoT solution in one easy-to-read page.

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FAQs

How Does NB-IoT Integrate into Existing Networks?
NB-IoT integrates seamlessly into existing LoRaWAN and wM-Bus networks. With plug-and-play technology, there is no need for additional hardware adjustments or complex configurations. Sensors and meters use the mobile network infrastructure for transmission, instantly expanding network coverage.

What Advantages Does NB-IoT Have over LoRaWAN and WM-Bus in Remote or Hard-to-Reach Areas?
NB-IoT offers greater range and better penetration, especially in challenging areas like basements, pits, or remote locations. Compared to LoRaWAN and wM-Bus, NB-IoT overcomes obstacles such as thick walls and long distances, ensuring reliable data transmission in even the hardest-to-reach parts of your network.

Can NB-IoT Be Implemented into an Existing LoRaWAN Network without Extra Hardware?
Yes, NB-IoT can be integrated into existing LoRaWAN networks without the need for additional gateways or hardware. It leverages the existing mobile network infrastructure, minimizing the need for further installations while efficiently extending coverage.

What Specific Cost Savings Can Be Achieved with the Elvaco Hybrid Solution?
Using the Elvaco hybrid solution reduces the need for manual interventions and personnel for data collection. It also decreases the demand for additional gateways, leading to lower infrastructure and maintenance costs. Overall, NB-IoT helps lower operational expenses by providing reliable and comprehensive network coverage.