Top Considerations When Selecting Your NB-IoT Connectivity Partner

We know selecting your NB-IoT connectivity partner can be an overwhelming task. Whoever you decide to go with, chances are you will be entering a partnership which will last at least 12 months.


To help with your selection, we’ve compiled our top tips to help you identify the key considerations when selecting your NB-IoT connectivity partner.

When it comes to data packages, there’s a lot to choose from. Everyone seems to be offering ‘the best price or package’, but what else should you be taking into account?

Roaming Agreements & UK Contracts

If you’re going to be deploying sensors throughout the UK & Ireland, you’re going to want to make sure you have a UK agreement in place, not a roaming agreement. These are two very different things.

A UK contract will ensure you have NB-IoT connectivity for the duration of the agreement. This is vital to any IoT project.

A roaming agreement, on the other hand may offer a low-cost alternative in the interim, but there’s nothing stopping the provider from ending their agreements with the company whose network they are piggybacking on. Such agreements tend to stand for around 30 days. Outside of these agreements, additional charges may be applied. Since Brexit, there has been a lot of instability in roaming agreements which could leave you without any NB-IoT connectivity at all.

With many NB-IoT devices offering battery lives of up to 10 years, you want to ensure your connectivity is as robust as the sensor life!

Network Experience & Reliability

No one wants an unreliable network, especially when it’s collecting important data. Vodafone supports in excess of 100 million IoT connections across over 400 networks, in 180 countries. They are currently the UK’s only NB-IoT network provider, offering coverage for around 98% of their existing networks throughout the UK. In this instance, it’s worth checking the relationship your provider has with Vodafone – are they a direct partner or are they reselling their services.

Scalability

Will your provider be able to offer the same connectivity package and migrate your billing into one consolidated sum?

As your projects scale, you will want to simplify your NB-IoT connectivity and billing as much as possible.

Support

When signing up to an agreement, it can be wise to consider where your provider is located and that their operating hours suit you.

Security

Data security is incredibly important. Vodafone offers additional protection including SIMLock, Private APN and automated usage alerts at no extra cost.

Ready to talk more?

Alliot are proud to be an official Vodafone IoT partner. Get in touch today to discuss your NB-IoT connectivity requirements and check coverage in your area. We offer bespoke packages and discounted pricing to suit your projects. Find out more about getting started today.

Looking for NB-IoT Connectivity?
Let us connect you

LORIOT LoRa Network Server Overview

There are many servers on the market and every one of them is slightly different in terms of the web interface. We know that dealing with the LoRa Network Server (LNS) for the first time may seem complicated.

This short blog post proposes an overview video of the LORIOT LNS and acts as an introduction to the platform itself.

To help you get familiar with the LORIOT Network Server, we have prepared a quick video that demonstrates the platform and describes the most essential features.

It also shows in detail how to add your gateway and declare the device in the LNS.

Simply visit our YouTube channel or preview it down below.

Join us at IoTLDN’s Meetups!

We’re excited to announce that we are the new co-sponsors of IoTLDN events for Q1 of 2023.

We’ve teamed up with Kerlink to support the upcoming meetups, with the first event due to take place next week!

Join us on 20th December at 6:30pm for a festive virtual meet up. Our Sales Director, Craig Herrett and Vincent Blanchard, Sales Manager Kerlink will be giving a brief overview of who we are, what we do and what to expect from us. Then it’s over to you! We want to hear what topics you want to hear about at future events and what projects you’re currently working on.

We hope you’ll be able to join us!

Alliot Become Vodafone IoT Partner

Alliot Technologies named official Vodafone IoT Partner

Looking for NB-IoT Connectivity? Look no further!

We’re delighted to announce we are now an official Vodafone IoT Partner! Find out more about what our new agreement means to you and how we can support your connectivity requirements.

WHAT WE OFFER AS A VODAFONE IOT PARTNER:

  • The very best connectivity from the UK’s only NB-IoT network provider
  • Competitive pricing with no hidden charges
  • Customised data plans to suit your requirements
  • Access to the very best Technical Support backed by Vodafone themselves
Vodafone IoT Partner benefits

 


CONNECT WITHOUT BARRIERS

Paired with our extensive hardware offering and expert support packages, we’re excited to be your new NB-IoT enabler! As an official Vodafone IoT Partner, we can now offer a range of data plans to bring your solutions to life.

Whatever you’re looking for in your NB-IoT solutions, we offer everything you need – take as much or as little as you like.

Talk to us today to get started.


WHAT IS NB-IOT?

Like LoRaWAN®, NB-IoT sits under the LPWAN umbrella. It’s optimised for low power consumption devices which record and transmit small packets of data over long distances. Unlike LoRaWAN® however, NB-IoT does not require the use of a gateway and the mobile provider is responsible for the network management.

 

With coverage for around 98% of their existing networks throughout the UK, Vodafone support more than 100 million IoT connections, across 400 networks, in 180 countries. Get in touch today to check coverage in your area.

Whatever stage you’re at in your IoT journey, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Christmas 2022 Opening & Shipping Times


The festive season is almost upon us! With that in mind, we wanted to share more details about our opening and shipping times over Christmas and the New Year. During this period, we will continue to ship orders via APC.

Opening Times

Day Opening Hours
Friday 23rd December 9:00-13:00
Monday 26th December Closed
Tuesday 27th December Closed
Wednesday 28th December 10:00-16:00
Thursday 29th December 10:00-16:00
Friday 30th December 10:00-16:00
Monday 2nd January Closed
Tuesday 3rd Jan Open as Usual

Please be aware, we will be running with a reduced number of staff between Christmas and New Year which may increase wait times.

Delivery Times

Avoid delays; orders placed on 23rd December will not be collected until 28th December. If it’s important for you to receive your orders before Christmas please make sure they are placed by the 22nd December at the latest.

Order APC Cut off APC Expected Delivery
23rd December No collection 29th December
28th December 14:00 29th December
29th December 14:00 30th December
30th December 14:00 3rd January*
3rd January 14:00 4th January

*Delivery can be arranged for New Years Eve on a specfied Saturday delivery. This will need to be arranged at the point of placing your order. Please note; no deliveries will be made to addresses in Scotland on 4th January due to a public bank holiday.

Please note: Christmas is a busy time of year for our couriers and therefore may lead to delays. If it is important that your orders are delivered on a specific day, we would recommend considering selecting a pre 12:00 service with APC – please contact a member of our team to discuss your requirements.

How does Air Quality affect our Health?

Air quality can affect a number of parameters in everyday life. From crop yield to water quality and buildings. It has a profound effect on our lives. But how does air quality affect our health? Find out more in our short blog.

There are many reasons to make air quality monitoring a top priority. Research has shown that poor air quality can have a significant effect on our health. It’s been reported by the WHO that nine out of ten people now breathe polluted air, this contributes to the death of around 7 million people each year1.

These alarming figures illustrate the seriousness of the situation and the stark reality that poor air quality is hard to escape.

How does outdoor air quality affect our health?

Outdoor air quality is closely linked to climate change and the effects of our use of fossil fuels.

Cancer Research recently published their findings on how air pollution can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked2. As part of the TRACERx Lung Study. The programme found that exposure to air pollution promotes the growth of cells carrying cancer-causing mutations in the Lungs. Particulate Matter, particularly PM2.5 (tiny pollutant particles) have been identified as causing inflammation to the lungs which can lead to cancer.

This isn’t the only potential health implication which can arise as a result of outdoor air pollution. Other conditions that can be caused by this include; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease and Dementia.

While there are lots of contributing factors to outdoor air quality, many of which are outside an individual’s control, monitoring PM levels with low cost LPWAN sensors can be a good place to start assessing outdoor air quality. Through careful monitoring, information recorded by deployed sensors can be used to identify trends and build up data to allow you to make more informed decisions as to how you can improve outdoor air quality. In order to maximise your project’s effectiveness, it is essential for data to be monitored before and after measures are put in place.

How does indoor air quality affect our health?

Indoor air quality on the other hand is more within our own control. We’ve outlined some potential implications which can come as a result of poor indoor air quality.

Mould & Dampness

Not only is mould unsightly, it can also cause harm to your health. Following the tragic news of the death of 2 year old Awaab Ishak, the implications of mould exposure are sadly very real.

The increased cost of energy is likely to increase the risk of mould inside buildings too. With cold weather comes condensation. Ordinarily putting the heating on would help to dry out the air indoors, but with significant rises to the cost of energy, more and more people are turning their backs on their thermostat.

The most common causes of mould are:

  • Humidity
  • Condensation
  • Rising damp
  • Poor ventilation

Caused by excess moisture, moulds emit spores which can cause a variety of health issues. For babies, young children and those with underlying health conditions including allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma, these spores can be even more harmful. Monitoring indoor air quality is a simple, yet effective way to alert Landlords, Housing Associations and homeowners of high moisture/humidity levels which can be used to identify the dew point and the need for ventilation.

How does air quality affect our health in the office and schools?

The WELL building standard has helped to transform health and wellbeing in buildings. It’s estimated we spend around 90% of our time in enclosed spaces. During this time, we inhale pollutants which can be detrimental to our health and wellbeing. Elements such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide can all contribute to the overall indoor air quality.

We recently completed a project installing CO2 sensors throughout schools in Scotland. There have been numerous studies over the years about the effect CO2 levels has on our cognitivie performance. Read more about how using LoRaWAN® technology has helped to transform the overall performance and wellbeing in the classroom.

Why use IoT to monitor air quality?

LPWAN devices are ideal for monitoring air quality. With a long battery life of 5+ years, once deployed you can access recorded data from wherever you may be. Devices can be configured to your parameters. If readings fall outside of your set parameters an automated alert will be triggered from your software platform to notify you that an action needs to be taken i.e. open a window to improve ventilation. Data recorded by deployed devices can also be used as evidence of regulation compliance.

How can Alliot help?

While the impact of air quality can be serious for our health, IoT devices can be used to minimise the long-term effects and empower us with more intelligent data to make better decisions. Alliot offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor air quality sensors and associated software. Whatever parameters you are looking to monitor, we can help you deliver projects of all sizes and locations. Whether you’re looking to monitor indoor air quality conditions in Social Housing across the country or optimise your office environments to improve staff wellbeing and productivity, our expert team are here to help. Contact us today to discuss your air quality monitoring requirements.

1 World Health Organisation 2018, How air pollution is detroying our health, accessed 30th November 2022, <https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/how-air-pollution-is-destroying-our-health>

2 Cancer Research UK 2022, Scientists reveal how air pollution can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked, accessed 30th November 2022, <https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2022/09/10/scientists-reveal-how-air-pollution-can-cause-lung-cancer-in-people-who-have-never-smoked/>

NB-IoT Explained: The Basics

NB-IoT is really starting to gain momentum, but what actually is it and what are its benefits? Find out more about about this increasingly popular IoT technology and what it can bring to your IoT solutions in our short guide; NB-IoT explained.

What is NB-IoT?

NB-IoT is a form of cellular IoT technology. Like LoRaWAN®, it sits under the LPWAN umbrella. Unlike LoRaWAN®, however, NB-IoT solutions do not require a gateway.

Instead, NB-IoT uses existing cellular (GSM) networks. These cellular networks were set out to extend beyond what existing cellular technologies offer. It utilises low bandwidth signals, making it a great enabler for a broad range of applications, such as:

  • Asset Tracking
  • Smart Cities
  • Monitoring Utilities
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Industry 4.0
  • Wearable Technologies
  • Connected Healthcare
  • Waste Management
  • Transport and Logistics

NB-IoT technology is well suited to low power devices which record and transmit small packets of data over long distances.

Designed to reach locations which aren’t easily covered by traditional cellular technologies. NB-IoT devices will typically have a long battery life of up to 10 years; The list of available devices is growing all the time!

NB-IoT Explained: Who is it good for?

NB-IoT can pose a number of benefits to users, enabling you to:

  • Configure devices yourself to send data to your preferred platform
  • Record data from across multiple locations and assets on the move
  • Hassle free connectivity – leave the network management to the mobile provider
  • Quickly begin to visualise data by connecting your sensors to your dashboard via an IP address
  • Long battery life of up to 10 years
  • Utilises dedicated radio space making it less susceptible to interference

Things to Consider

There’s a couple of factors which are important to take into consideration when selecting which IoT technology is best for your use case.

  • Coverage: As cellular LPWAN networks are maintained by mobile network providers, coverage may not be available in all areas. Our team can help you to establish this prior to getting started.
  • Cost: With cellular LPWAN, each sensor will require its own SIM card. Depending on the size of your project and the number of end points, this could result in higher costs.
  • Sensor Locations: If you need to deploy sensors across multiple locations or monitor moving objects, NB-IoT is likely to be a good option for you.

NB-IoT Explained: What do I need to get started?

There are three key components required to get started with NB-IoT:

  • SIM card – This is your key to getting connected. In the UK, Vodafone is the only NB-IoT provider.
  • Sensors – We provide a wide range of NB-IoT sensors. Whether you’re looking to monitor air quality, energy efficiency, waste levels or track your assets, we’ve got you covered!
  • Dashboard – This is the piece which will bring your solution together. Recorded data is pushed to your chosen dashboard ready to visualise and act upon.

Getting Started with NB-IoT

Whatever your requirements, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to begin your NB-IoT journey.

Smart Buildings Show 2022 – What to Expect from Alliot

Alliot Technologies at the Smart Buildings Show 2022

With just a week to go until the Smart Buildings Show, we wanted to give you an insight of what to expect from us at this year’s show.

Why Visit Alliot at the Smart Buildings Show?

We know that traditional Building Management Systems have helped to transform the Smart Building industry, but what if you could take this to another level? This is where IoT comes in. We work with many partners to create bespoke wireless solutions which are simple to install, cost effective and cause minimal disruption to your existing infrastructure.

What to Expect?

Joining us on stand C2 will be MultiTech who will be demonstrating their brand new gateway with BACnet capability. Visit us to meet with MultiTech representatives who will be on hand to discuss the latest innovation and how it can be used to seamlessly integrate LoRaWAN® with your existing BMS systems. On the stand, we will also have a range of MultiTech’s LoRaWAN® gateway solutions which are designed to support LoRaWAN® solutions of all shapes, sizes and applications.

As our main sensor partner at this year’s show, Milesight will be showcasing a range of their latest devices including the new iBox CoWork kit, specially designed to enable you to quickly demonstrate a smart solution out-of-the-box. Visit us on stand C2 to see the latest indoor environmental and condition monitoring devices.

Join us next week to discover how you too can benefit from retrofit IoT solutions, designed to seamlessly integrate with new or existing building management. Whatever your requirements, our expert team are on hand to help you every step of the way.

Queen Elizabeth II – A Message to Our Customers

Like many throughout the UK and the world, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As a mark of respect our offices will be closed on Monday 19th September 2022, in line with the State Funeral.

Our couriers have also announced a suspended service on this date meaning no UK deliveries will take place. Any orders shipped on Friday, unless specifically booked on a Saturday service will be delivered Tuesday 20th September.

On behalf of the Alliot Team, thank you Ma’am.

Counting Down to The Things Conference Amsterdam 2022

The countdown has begun to The Things Conference Amsterdam. As silver sponsors at this year’s event, we have lots of exciting plans for the show. Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect from the show itself and our plans.

What is The Things Conference?

Organised by The Things Network, The Things Conference is the LoRaWAN® flagship event. Uniting over 2,000 IoT professionals, the show is one of the biggest LoRaWAN® events of the year.

What to expect from The Things Conference 2022

Learn all about the latest developments in the IoT industry and gain valuable insights to scale your IoT solutions.

On our stand, we will be joined by Kerlink and Robeau who will be on hand to discuss their products.

We will also be exhibiting a selection of sensors from our vast portfolio. Our Team members can’t wait to discuss how our services and support can help bring your solutions to life.

In addition to this, Kerlink and Robeau will also be showcasing their products on the LoRaWAN® Wall of Fame. Where you can touch, feel and interact with hundreds of LoRaWAN® enabled devices and gateways.

The Show Agenda

Visitors of The Things Conference Amsterdam can enjoy a jam-packed agenda with lots of keynote and workshops available to attend.

We’re delighted to be joined by David Green, Head of Innovation at Blenheim Palace to deliver a keynote speech around LoRaWAN® and its Impact on Cultural Heritage. We’ve been working with Blenheim Palace to deliver some really exciting projects which we can’t wait to share with you at the show!

Join us from anywhere!

While the physical event may be in Amsterdam, you can join from anywhere! With both the physical and virtual event running side-by-side, the choice is yours.

Save 20% on your ticket price with our exclusive discount code: FRIENDS-ALLIOT

We hope to see you there!