More Than 100 Operators Have Launched LPWAN Globally, Says GSA

More than 100 operators worldwide have launched low power wide area networks (LPWAN) based on the narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE for machines (LTE-M) standards, according to a new report from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).The study shows that 102 operators in 52 countries have now deployed or launched at least one of the two technologies. Of this total, 20 operators in 19 countries have deployed or launched both NB-IoT and LTE-M networks – an indication of the growing acceptance of mobile operators that both technologies are required in order to support different IoT applications and devices. The GSA report found that 149 operators in 69 countries are investing in one or both of the network technologies.For example, Vodafone initially focused on NB-IoT and has so far launched the technology in 13 markets: Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Malta. However, it has now also rolled out LTE-M in the Netherlands and New Zealand. Meanwhile, LTE-M proponent AT&T is aiming to launch NB-IoT this year, and Deutsche Telekom, also an early NB-IoT adopter, is also preparing to roll out LTE-M this year.