nRF9160 alternative to CAT-M1/NB-IOT

[LP@IoTNam]

Hi, i do not have CAT-M1 or NB-IoT in my country.

I would like to know if there is any solution i could implement to obtain cellular connectivity while using the nRF9160? I only have 3g/4g LTE in my country. My use case is as follows:

I would like to develop an asset tracker using GNSS. I want to retrieve the GNSS data from nrf cloud and display it via the web.

If there is nothing i can do about the CAT-M1/NB-IOT connectivity, is there an alternative product i can use ?

[helsing]

Hi Lashca,

I will check with our team in case anyone has any news regarding coverage in Namibia.

Have you looked into DECT NR+? This new technology opens up the possibility to set up private non-cellular networks using 5G technology where devices containing nRF91 should be possible to be connect.

Here is some more information on DECT NR+

Could DECT NR+ democratize massive IoT in 5G?

Webinar on DECT NR+

[helsing]

Ho Lashca,

I would like to develop an asset tracker using GNSS. I want to retrieve the GNSS data from nrf cloud and display it via the web.

A device with nRF9160, like Thingy:91, could collect GNSS data without being connected via cellular. However, how do you transfer this to nRF Cloud? One option is to transfer the data from Thingy:91 via Bluetooth LE to another gateway(hub or smartphone etc.) which is connected via 3G or 4G. The gateway could then submit the location data to nRF Cloud. Please see the documentation on adding Bluetooth LE devices to nRF Cloud.

If there is nothing i can do about the CAT-M1/NB-IOT connectivity, is there an alternative product i can use ?

There are devices from other suppliers than Nordic that are able to collect GNSS data and communicate over 3G and 4G. 

That said, if you choose the option to retrieve GNSS data from nRF9160 or another GNSS device from another supplier, you could submit this data to a gateway via a short range device from our portfolio, like the nRF52 or nRF53 series devices. You could also combine these with a range extender like nRF21540. The combination Bluetooth LE + FEM could give you a range between 10s of meters or up to a few kilometers(line of sight) highly depending on the environment and use case.

Please also let us know if DECT NR+ is of any interest.

Best regards,

Håkon