Security Features of LTE-M and NB-IoT Networks

This report describes the security features being deployed by mobile operators, highlighting how LTE-M and NB-IoT are ‘secure by design’, in contrast to alternative technologies reliant on unlicensed spectrum.

As Mobile IoT networks use dedicated spectrum bands under the terms of the licences issued by regulators, interference from other radio technologies is kept to a minimum. Moreover, all mobile operators employ Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), which contain highly secure integrated circuits, to authenticate the devices accessing their networks and services. This report explains how mobile operators are supplementing these inherent capabilities with four additional security features, creating significant value for their customers.