LTE-M Cat1 and NB-IoT are two technologies specifically designed for the Internet of Things (IoT). They provide a cost-effective way to connect and control a wide range of IoT devices. In this blog post, we will focus on LTE-M Cat1 technology and explain why it is an important 4G technology and why we use this technology in our trackilive GPS trackers.
What is LTE-M Cat1?
LTE-M Cat1 is a 4G technology designed to connect IoT devices. It is a Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology that allows IoT devices to stay connected to the Internet without consuming a large amount of power. Compared to traditional cellular networks, LTE-M Cat1 offers greater range, lower latency, and higher reliability.
Unlike NB-IoT, LTE-M Cat1 offers higher bandwidth and a faster transmission rate. It supports data transfers of up to 10 Mbps, making it ideal for devices that need to transfer larger amounts of data. LTE-M Cat1 is also capable of supporting voice calls, making it an ideal choice for applications such as smart speakers and voice controls.
Why should you use LTE-M?
LTE-M Cat1 offers a variety of advantages over other IoT connectivity technologies. Here are some reasons why you should use LTE-M:
Cost-effectiveness : LTE-M Cat1 provides a cost-effective way to connect and control IoT devices. It consumes less power than traditional cellular networks while still providing greater range and higher reliability.
Long range : LTE-M Cat1 offers a longer range than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing IoT devices to operate in remote areas or underground facilities that are not normally covered by traditional cellular networks.
Higher reliability : LTE-M Cat1 offers higher reliability than other IoT connection technologies. It uses dedicated IoT networks and is less susceptible to interference or failures.
Fast transfer rates : LTE-M Cat1 supports transfer rates of up to 10 Mbps, which is ideal for devices that need to transfer larger amounts of data.
Voice calls : LTE-M Cat1 is capable of supporting voice calls, making it ideal for applications such as smart speakers and voice controls.
Conclusion
Overall, LTE-M Cat1 provides a cost-effective and reliable way to connect and control IoT devices. It is an important 4G technology that offers higher bandwidth and faster transmission rates than other IoT connection technologies. With LTE-M Cat 1, companies can develop IoT applications and devices that need to transmit a large amount of data, such as intelligent traffic control, intelligent building automation, and industrial asset monitoring.
Additionally, LTE-M Cat1 offers greater range and higher reliability than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, making it ideal for use in remote areas or underground facilities. It is also less prone to interference or outages because it uses dedicated IoT networks.
When it comes to IoT connectivity, there are many options to choose from, but LTE-M Cat1 is an excellent choice when businesses need cost-effective, reliable and scalable IoT connectivity. It offers a wide range of features tailored to the needs of IoT applications and is expected to play an important role in connecting billions of IoT devices in the future. That's why at trackilive we already use this future-proof and reliable technology in some of our 4G GPS trackers, for example in our trackilive TL-60 GPS tracker.