Olimex NB-IoT-BC66 Range Brings Quectel NB-IoT Connectivity to the Masses

Bulgarian open hardware specialist Olimex has begun stocking compact modules for adding Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) connectivity to your projects: The NB-IoT-BC66 family.

"NB-IoT is low power wide area networking technology which uses existing GSM LTE technology and has many advantages versa LoRa," the company explains. "GSM network quality of service; single GSM cell can talk to up to 100,000 devices; high; communication speed 25.5kbps up and downlink; secure communication using LTE encryption; better range than LoRa both in urban and rural area (* depend on cell operating frequency – best range is on 850MHz.)"

Olimex has launched four NB-IoT breakout boards, all based on the Quectel BC-66 module: The NB-IoT-BC66 is the base model, the NB-IoT-BC66-ANT includes a bundled GSM antenna, the NB-IoT-BC66H includes pre-soldered headers, and the NB-IoT-BC66H-ANT combines both the pre-soldered headers and bundled antenna.

All modules measure just 26x26mm (around 1.02x1.02"), and include level shifted input/output for five general-purpose IO (GPIO) pins, I2C, SPI, and UART, plus on-board status LEDs. As a communications system that piggybacks on cellular networks, however, each also requires a nano-format SIM card and active subscription.

"All GSM cells which work with LTE can also support NB-IoT, but this requires new protocol installation and license fee, so not all operators provide it by default," Olimex advises. "You have to check with your local GSM operator if he offers NB-IoT. Also SIM card must have this protocol enabled. SIM with LTE may or may not work with NB-IoT, this depends on your operator."

More information is available on the Olimex blog, along with links to buy the modules starting at €13.50 (around $14.66) before volume discounts.