50 MB
Ireland multi-network
€0.99a month per active SIM, ex VAT
Order 50 MBLTE-M vs NB-IoT in Ireland: which low-power network?
How LTE-M (Cat-M) and NB-IoT differ in data rate, mobility, voice and battery life, which suits trackers, meters or sensors, and what is available in Ireland.
LTE-M and NB-IoT are the two low-power cellular technologies built for IoT devices that send small amounts of data and run for years on a battery. Both are part of the 4G family, both reach places ordinary 4G struggles with, and every ThingSIM supports both. Which one a device uses is decided by its modem, so the choice is really a choice of device, and of what the networks offer where it is installed in Ireland.
The short version
| LTE-M (Cat-M1) | NB-IoT | |
|---|---|---|
| Data rate | Higher: enough for firmware updates and frequent reports | Very low: small, infrequent messages |
| Moving devices | Handles movement between cells | Best for devices that stay in one place |
| Voice | Possible (VoLTE) on supporting devices | No |
| Latency | Lower | Higher |
| Battery life | Long | Longest |
| Coverage in buildings and underground | Better than standard 4G | Deepest |
| Typical devices | Trackers, wearables, alarm communicators, vending | Sub-meters, level and environmental sensors, parking sensors |
LTE-M and NB-IoT on the Irish networks
Three Ireland launched both an LTE-M and an NB-IoT network in September 2022. Vodafone Ireland launched a nationwide NB-IoT network in 2017. Check current availability with the device supplier and on site, as we have not confirmed the current LTE-M or NB-IoT position on every Irish network. If a device depends on LTE-M or NB-IoT, ask us before you order and test it on site.
Where neither is available, most LTE-M and NB-IoT modules fall back to standard 4G, or to 2G, which none of them has announced a date to switch off.
When LTE-M is the better fit
Choose an LTE-M device when it moves, needs to respond quickly, sends more than a few readings a day, or needs firmware updates over the air without taking hours. Asset trackers and anything that might need a voice path are the classic cases.
When NB-IoT is the better fit
Choose an NB-IoT device when it stays put, sends small readings infrequently, and must run for years on a battery, often somewhere radio struggles to reach: a meter in a basement, a slurry or water tank sensor in a far field, a logger in a plant room.
Check the device, not the SIM
The SIM does not decide which technology is used; the device's modem does. Look in the specification for “LTE Cat-M1” or “Cat-M” and “NB-IoT” (sometimes “Cat-NB1” or “Cat-NB2”). Many modules support both, plus standard 4G as a fallback. Confirm with the device supplier how it is configured to use them in Ireland before a large deployment.
Data use
Both suit small plans. Most low-power sensors and meters fit the 50 MB plan, at €0.99 a month on the Ireland multi-network plan; see how much data your device needs.
Common questions
Does ThingSIM support LTE-M and NB-IoT?
Yes. Every ThingSIM supports LTE-M and NB-IoT as well as 4G data, 2G and SMS. The device's modem decides which it uses, and the networks where it is installed decide what is available.
Is there LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage in Ireland?
Three Ireland launched LTE-M and NB-IoT networks in 2022, and Vodafone launched NB-IoT in 2017. Test at the installation site, and choose a device that can fall back to standard 4G.
Is LTE-M the same as Cat-M1?
Yes. LTE-M is the common name for the LTE Cat-M1 category, sometimes shortened to Cat-M.
Which is better for a GPS tracker, LTE-M or NB-IoT?
Usually LTE-M, because trackers move between cells and often need to report more often than NB-IoT is designed for. See choosing a SIM for a GPS tracker.
Is NB-IoT the same as 5G?
NB-IoT and LTE-M are 4G-family technologies that are also recognised as part of 5G's plans for massive IoT, so devices built for them are expected to remain usable as networks move on.
Recommended plan
Ireland multi-network, 50 MB a month
Roams across Vodafone, Three and eir and uses whichever is strongest where the device is.
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