Technical comparison between NB-IoT and eMTC
With the continuous advancement of mobile communication technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), particularly low-power wide area network (LPWAN) solutions such as Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and Enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC), has experienced significant growth. These technologies are designed to support a wide range of IoT applications, from smart meters to connected vehicles, each with its own set of advantages and use cases.
A comparison between NB-IoT and eMTC reveals that both are LPWAN technologies, but they differ in key aspects like speed, latency, mobility, and voice support. Globally, operators like AT&T, Verizon, KDDI, KPN, Orange, NTT DoCoMo, Telefonica, Telstra, and Telus have already started commercial deployment of eMTC, highlighting its growing importance in the market.
In China, the three major telecom operators—China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile—have taken different approaches in their adoption of NB-IoT and eMTC. China Telecom was among the first to establish 800MHz network capabilities and plans to build 300,000 NB-IoT base stations. China Unicom signed an exclusive agreement with Jasper and has focused on NB-IoT early on, while China Mobile remains more uncertain due to the technical differences between NB-IoT and eMTC, as well as the limitations of its TDD network.
This paper explores how these operators are shaping their strategies for NB-IoT and eMTC based on market demand, technological maturity, and current network status. It also examines the development of NB-IoT and eMTC from the perspectives of coverage, power consumption, data rate, and application scenarios.
NB-IoT is known for its lower cost, wider coverage, and higher cell capacity, making it ideal for static, low-data applications such as utility meters, street lighting, and waste management. On the other hand, eMTC offers higher speeds, better mobility, and support for voice, which makes it more suitable for applications like vehicle networking, logistics tracking, and wearable devices.
Despite their differences, both technologies are complementary and serve distinct use cases. Qualcomm, for instance, suggests that they can coexist and be used in different IoT environments. As the IoT ecosystem continues to evolve, the choice between NB-IoT and eMTC will depend on specific application requirements, network infrastructure, and industry needs.
Looking ahead, China Unicom should prioritize NB-IoT development while keeping eMTC as a backup for future expansion. China Telecom should focus on full-scale NB-IoT deployment, while China Mobile needs to take a more active role in eMTC adoption, learning from global best practices. Ultimately, the success of these technologies will rely not only on technical performance but also on policy support, industrial collaboration, and user demand.
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