T-Mobile last week became the first operator to launch a narrowband Internet of Things network in the U.S., company officials said.
The carrier also said it became the first worldwide to launch an NB-IoT network in “guard” spectrum bands, which prevents competition between IoT applications and other data traffic.
“We’re always innovating to bring customers the latest technology, and NB-IoT is the globally-preferred standard to power the rapidly expanding world of IoT applications,” CTO Neville Ray said in a statement.
T-Mobile conducted trials of its narrowband technology last year in Las Vegas and detailed its pricing structure early this year. The company reiterated its price tag — $6 annually for up to 12 MB per IoT device — was a fraction of the cost of Cat-M1 networks from its larger rivals.
Officials also said the network offers lower power consumption, longer battery lives and lower device costs while providing a pathway to 5G IoT networks.
In addition, the carrier announced a new partner program — T-Mobile CONNECT — designed to help companies develop IoT solutions and get them to market more quickly on T-Mobile’s network.
Filed Under: IoT • IIoT • Internet of things • Industry 4.0, Infrastructure