Ambimat Group Ahmedabad · India · Est. 1982
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Cellular Communication for Metering

Using mobile networks — including low-power options — to connect meters to a central system.

Using existing mobile networks

Cellular communication connects meters using the same kind of mobile networks that phones use. Because the network already exists, each device can reach the utility’s systems directly rather than relying on nearby devices to relay its data.

Low-power options

Alongside general-purpose mobile data, there are low-power cellular technologies designed for connected devices — such as NB-IoT and LTE-M — that trade throughput for lower power use and better reach into difficult locations. These are often a good fit for metering, where messages are small and infrequent.

Where cellular fits

Cellular tends to suit meters that are spread out, because each one connects on its own. The right technology for a given deployment depends on coverage, cost and how much data each meter needs to send.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is cellular communication used for meter reading?
Meters connect over existing mobile networks to send readings to a central system, so the utility does not have to build its own radio network. Low-power options are designed for large fleets of devices that send small amounts of data.
What are the low-power cellular options?
Low-power wide-area options such as NB-IoT — alongside GPRS and LTE — trade high data rates for long battery life and wide coverage, which suits meters that send small amounts of data on a schedule.
What is NB-IoT and why is it used for metering?
NB-IoT is a low-power wide-area cellular technology designed for large numbers of devices that send small amounts of data, which suits meters reporting on a schedule with long battery life.
Does cellular metering need the utility to build a network?
No. Cellular uses existing mobile networks, so the utility does not have to build and maintain its own radio infrastructure.
When is cellular a better fit than RF mesh?
Cellular often suits dispersed meters that are too far apart to relay for one another, where existing mobile coverage is good.

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