NB-IoT Network Planning for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik

Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology is one of the Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies with low cost, low power consumption, and wide range connectivity. NB-IoT is supported by cellular networks or Long-Term Evolution (LTE) with 3GPP Release 13 standard, making NB-IoT becomes an appropriate technology for the development and needs of the Internet of Things (IoT). Connectivity is needed to guarantee the service connection, in which one of the technologies is Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). As an example of the NB-IoT rollout in urban areas, the study conducted the network design and analysis for AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) in cities of Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik. The study result indicates that both coverage and capacity of the gateway requirements for Internet of Things (IoT) network planning using NB-IoT are 20 sites for the Surabaya area, 7 sites for the Sidoarjo area, and 5 sites for the Gresik area. Based on the simulations undertaken, the average acceptable signal levels are −57.9dBm for Surabaya, 59.62 dBm for Sidoarjo, and −58.71dBm for Gresik. And for Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value or sensitivity at the receiver for the three regions, the above standard sensitivity value for NB-IoT is −141dBm, while the minimum sensitivity value for the Surabaya, Sidoarjo and Gresik areas are −100dBm, −104dBm, and −105dBm. The study results also show different network planning parameters although it was planned in the same urban area and using the same capacity per cell approach model. It is possible to happen because of different environmental conditions, different number of users and different coverage areas in each urban city.