Vodafone has enabled LTE-M – also referred to as Cat-M – for UK businesses. The IoT service focuses on low-powered, low-data use cases.

LTE-M is designed for IoT services that are not connected to mains electricity and only transmit small amounts of data. Due to these requirements, the IoT devices need a connectivity service that is fit for purpose.

“When you have a data-led business, decisions are driven by insight not by assumption,” said Nick Gliddon, UK business director at Vodafone. “IoT has the potential to revolutionise business, but we must make it accessible to all. The power of LTE-M is the ability to choose the right tools for the right job. 5G might be the right choice for some IoT use cases, whereas LTE-M might be better for others. By enabling LTE-M to sit alongside 4G, 5G and NB-IoT, we are providing a technology-agnostic option for customers. This is about picking the right solution, at the right price point.” 

While 4G and 5G are available for IoT use cases that require high data throughput, constant connectivity and low latency to respond in micro- or milliseconds, LTE-M and NB-IoT are designed for low data throughput and non-time sensitive use cases. LTE-M can provide continuous connectivity and low latency services in some scenarios, but only to facilitate small data batches.  

LTE-M and NB-IoT differ through the typical download and upload speeds of 300kbit/s and 20kbit/s, respectively, while NB-IoT is optimised for difficult to reach locations and batch data upload such as underground water pipes or smart meters in basements, and LTE-M for mobility, such as asset tracking and wearable devices, and event-based connectivity.  

Similar to NB-IoT, LTE-M is LPWAN technology. This means not only does the signal travel further than 4G and 5G networks, but it is also designed to preserve battery life of the devices themselves. LPWAN technology can allow IoT devices to operate reliably for up to ten years on a single battery charge.

With Vodafone able to offer LTE-M, NB-IoT, 4G and 5G IoT connectivity to customers, there is a technology available for every type of use case and every customer’s needs. Vodafone can also support customers on a wider digital transformation journey, thanks to investments in other technology segments such as mobile private networks and multi-access edge compute, as well developing partner ecosystems to help create applications and services.  

All Vodafone IoT customers also gain access to Vodafone’s own managed IoT connectivity platform to provide intelligence into how devices are performing with advanced service diagnostic and analytics tools to manage operations in real-time, as well as a range of APIs to integrate with customer backend IT systems.   

Users can also leverage Vodafone’s (www.vodafone.com) global network presence and its relationships with roaming and technology providers to create a single interface to the world of IoT connectivity. With 1400 dedicated IoT professionals across five continents, supporting 160 million IoT connections, Vodafone says it can support all use cases from local to multi-national.