LPWAN stands for Low Power Wide Area Network. In simple terms, its connectivity designed for IoT devices that:
Cellular LPWAN uses existing mobile networks, so there’s no need to build or manage your own infrastructure.
In the UK, there are two main cellular LPWAN technologies in use today: NB-IoT and LTE-M.
LTE-M vs NB-IoT in simple terms
Both technologies are designed for low-power IoT devices that send small amounts of data and need to operate reliably for years.

If you’re connecting sensors that send small amounts of data and need long battery life, LTE-M and NB-IoT are the two cellularLPWAN options designed specifically for the job.
Choose LTE-M when you need:
Choose NB-IoT when you need:
Quick rule of thumb:
If the device moves or needs more interaction, lean LTE-M.
If the device is static and sends tiny updates, lean NB-IoT.
At Lister, we help UK organisations select the right technology and deliver it as a dependable, supported service.
