LTE / NB-IoT

LTE (Long Term Evolution) and NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) bring the power and reliability of cellular communication to the world of smart metering. These technologies provide secure, scalable, and high-performance connectivity, perfectly suited for utilities seeking to modernize their infrastructures and manage distributed devices in real time.

For Andrea Informatique, LTE and NB-IoT are essential pillars of next-generation metering networks. By integrating these technologies into our DLMS/COSEM-based stacks and communication modules, we enable utilities and manufacturers to benefit from carrier-grade communication with end-to-end interoperability and long-term sustainability.

The Technology

LTE and NB-IoT are both cellular technologies standardized by 3GPP.

While LTE offers higher data throughput and lower latency — ideal for applications requiring frequent or heavy data exchange — NB-IoT focuses on low-power, low-bandwidth communication optimized for battery-operated devices.

NB-IoT operates in narrow bandwidths within licensed spectrum, providing:

Deep indoor and underground coverage.
High connection density for massive IoT deployments.
Minimal power consumption enabling 10-plus-year battery life.
Secure, operator-managed networks with strong QoS guarantees.

Together, LTE and NB-IoT form a flexible communication ecosystem where each technology can be selected based on data requirements, environment, and energy constraints — all under a common cellular infrastructure.

Integration at Andrea Informatique

Andrea Informatique integrates LTE Cat-M1 and NB-IoT communication stacks into its modular platforms for electricity, gas, and water metering.

Our embedded solutions are optimized for DLMS/COSEM over IP, ensuring that meters can securely communicate with Head-End Systems (HES) and Meter Data Management (MDM) platforms.

These modules are fully compatible with Andrea’s ecosystem:

Smarthawk enables configuration, monitoring, and firmware management over LTE/NB-IoT.
Phenix validates protocol implementation and ensures end-to-end interoperability.
Colibri allows on-site technicians to perform setup and diagnostics via mobile connections.

By offering a fully integrated toolchain, Andrea ensures that cellular-connected meters can be deployed, managed, and maintained with the same consistency as PLC or LoRaWAN devices.

Advantages of LTE / NB-IoT for Smart Metering

LTE and NB-IoT technologies deliver a combination of reliability, scalability, and security that is unmatched in the IoT space:

Wide and deep coverage – reach remote or underground installations.
Secure communication – encrypted data transmission and SIM-based authentication.
Remote management – firmware upgrades, configuration updates, and diagnostics via cellular links.
Optimized energy use – low-power operation extending battery life.
Global standardization – interoperability across countries and operators.

These advantages make LTE and NB-IoT the preferred choices for large-scale deployments, smart city infrastructures, and multi-utility networks requiring continuous, secure, and automated communication.

Use Cases and Deployments

Andrea supports multiple utility projects where LTE and NB-IoT technologies enable real-time monitoring and advanced data analytics.

Typical applications include:

Electricity smart metering with direct IP connectivity for fast data exchange.
Water and gas metering in remote or underground locations using NB-IoT.
Hybrid infrastructures combining LTE, PLC, and RF technologies for complete coverage.
Energy management systems requiring immediate event reporting and command execution.

In these projects, Andrea provides expertise in network configuration, communication security, interoperability testing, and certification assistance.

Research and Innovation

Andrea Informatique continuously invests in R&D to enhance the capabilities of LTE and NB-IoT within the smart metering ecosystem.

Our current developments focus on:

DLMS/COSEM optimization for low-bandwidth, high-latency networks.
Edge intelligence for autonomous data processing at the device level.
AI-based network monitoring for predictive maintenance and coverage optimization.
Integration with future 5G networks, preparing utilities for ultra-reliable, low-latency communication.

By staying at the forefront of innovation, Andrea ensures that utilities adopting LTE and NB-IoT solutions today remain compatible with tomorrow’s smart grid technologies.

Andrea’s Expertise

With over fifteen years of experience in communication stacks, DLMS/COSEM integration, and smart metering system design, Andrea Informatique provides unmatched expertise in deploying and maintaining cellular-based metering infrastructures.

Our multidisciplinary team covers every stage of development — from embedded software and protocol design to backend integration and field validation.

Through our Phenix test environment and interoperability lab, we certify that all LTE/NB-IoT implementations meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.

The Future of Cellular Smart Metering

As utilities transition toward fully digital infrastructures, LTE and NB-IoT are emerging as foundational technologies for smart grids, enabling real-time data exchange and advanced network automation.

They allow seamless integration of millions of meters, sensors, and control devices into a unified and secure communication ecosystem.

Andrea Informatique continues to collaborate with mobile network operators, module manufacturers, and standardization bodies to ensure that our solutions remain fully interoperable and aligned with the evolution of global IoT networks.