Characteristics of Narrowband IoT (nb-ioT) technology that supports smart city management, based on

Introduction

The term Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the dynamic increase in the number of digital devices. These devices can communicate with each other globally by using network. They can also be monitored and controlled remotely. The Internet of Things includes only intelligent sensors and other devices. The Cluster of European Research Projects on the Internet of Things (CERP-IoT) defines the Internet of Things as: ‘a dynamic infrastructure of a global network. This global network has auto-configuration capabilities based on standards and interoperable communication protocols. In this network, physical and virtual objects have identities, physical attributes, virtual personalities, intelligent inter- faces, and are integrated into the network in a transparent way’ (www.internet-of-things- research.eu/about_ierc.htm, 2018).
At the operational level of the Internet of Things allows to collect for instance, weather data. It makes it a tool, used to support decision-making related to city management. IoT offers cities new opportunities to use data to manage traffic, reduce pollution, make

Lecturer at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. A graduate of the SGH Warsaw School of Economics (International business specialisation) and postgraduate psychology studies at the University of Warsaw. An experienced market research analyst. Certified business trainer in the field of soft skills, specialist in the field of marketing and sustainable development. Smart city expert. Co-author of the book published by Springer, ‘Happy City - How to Plan and Create the Best Livable Area for the People’.

© 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

better use of infrastructure, and ensure the safety and cleanliness as well as good quality of life of citizens. According to the International Energy Agency (www.iea.org/) by 2020, there will be over 14 billion network-enabled devices. This compares to approximately

2. 
   billion people using the internet. IoT dramatically widens the internet’s scope from people-operated computers towards autonomous smart devices.
   

While existing mobile communications networks already offer good coverage, they are, however, not primarily designed for applications that just send small quantities of data back and forward. Wireless modules which are networked with GSM, 3G or LTE have a high complexity and offer functions such as voice communication and high-speed data transfer, which drive up costs.
A battery life of several years is often not feasible in this scenario as neither the network nor the device supports the required energy-saving mechanisms. Reception within build- ings is also often very limited. A vital element has been missing from the portfolio of the various mobile communications standards: a wireless network that is designed specifi- cally for:

• 
  low energy consumption,
  
• 
  small volumes of data and
  
• 
  transmission over large distances or deep within buildings (M. Chen et al., 2017).
  

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) closes this gap. This technology, despite the fact that it is becoming increasingly popular in the world, is still not applicable in Poland. Rather, it is perceived as a technology supporting nowadays launched 5G.

The aim of the article is to introduce technology specifications and to indicate selected cases of NB-IoT use in smart city areas. The analysis was made as a result of cooperation between the author and representatives of Nokia Network and Solutions in Wroclaw, aimed at developing a business model for the application of Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technology in the area of smart city.

2.