Online without a network.
NB-IoT is the cellular protocol for metering - meters connect straight to the mobile network and send readings to the platform. No gateways, no local infrastructure, no complex install.
Works with 10+ NB-IoT devices from 8 manufacturers
Metering over the mobile network
NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is a low-power, wide-area cellular standard defined by 3GPP and run by mobile operators on licensed spectrum. Each meter carries a SIM and talks straight to the cellular network - there's no gateway to install and no network to build.
Configure the meter with Metbox settings, and its readings flow over the carrier's network into the Metbox platform - ideal for single or scattered meters and hard-to-reach spots like basements and pits.
What makes NB-IoT a good fit
A protocol that trades a local network for the carrier's - simple to deploy, strong indoors, and built for meters that run for years.
No gateway, no local network
Meters connect directly to the mobile network, so there's no gateway to mount, power or maintain - and nothing to build.
Deep indoor coverage
Narrowband cellular reaches into basements, meter pits and dense buildings where other signals drop out.
Licensed, managed spectrum
It runs on operators' licensed bands, so connectivity is reliable, interference-free and backed by carrier service.
Low power, long life
Power-saving modes let meters sleep deeply between readings - a single battery commonly lasts well over a decade.
Massive device density
A single cell supports a very large number of meters, so deployments scale without adding local hardware.
Fast to deploy
Configure with Metbox settings, place the meter, and it's online - the simplest path from install to data.
The protocol, in short
The key facts that matter when you're planning a deployment.
- Standard
- NB-IoT (3GPP LPWAN)
- Spectrum
- Licensed cellular · carrier SIM
- Topology
- Meter → carrier network → platform
- Coverage
- Carrier NB-IoT · strong deep indoors
- Power
- Battery · PSM / eDRX · 10+ yr
- Best for
- Single & scattered meters, no local infra
How NB-IoT meters save battery
NB-IoT defines power modes that trade battery life against how quickly a meter can be reached.
Connected
The meter stays reachable on a normal listening cycle - lowest latency, highest power use.
Extended sleep
Listening windows stretch further apart, balancing battery savings with periodic reachability.
Power save
The meter sleeps deeply between scheduled transmissions for the longest possible battery life.
From meter to platform in four steps
No gateway, no local network - configure the meter and the data is online.
Configure the meter
An NB-IoT meter with a SIM is set up with Metbox settings - no field hardware to add.
Connects to the network
The meter joins the operator's NB-IoT network directly and sends small, encrypted readings.
Platform ingests
Readings arrive at the Metbox platform validated and structured, ready to view and analyse.
Export & integrate
Export consumption as CSV/XLSX or connect by API to billing and ERP platforms.
No field hardware - just meters & the platform
NB-IoT skips the gateway entirely. Meters connect directly to the carrier; the Metbox platform handles the rest.
NB-IoT meters
SIM-equipped water, heat, gas and electricity meters that connect straight to the mobile network - no gateway required.
Metbox configuration
Meters are set up with Metbox settings so their readings flow over the carrier's NB-IoT network into the platform.
Metbox Platform
Dashboards, reports, alerts and API integrations for every reading your meters send in.
Metbox supports 10+ tested NB-IoT meter models. See the full compatibility list →
Put meters online - without the infrastructure
Tell the Metbox team about your meters and locations. We'll confirm NB-IoT support and get your readings flowing - no gateways, no network to build.
Online without a network.
NB-IoT is the cellular protocol for metering - meters connect straight to the mobile network and send readings to the platform. No gateways, no local infrastructure, no complex install.
Works with 10+ NB-IoT devices from 8 manufacturers
Metering over the mobile network
NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is a low-power, wide-area cellular standard defined by 3GPP and run by mobile operators on licensed spectrum. Each meter carries a SIM and talks straight to the cellular network - there's no gateway to install and no network to build.
Configure the meter with Metbox settings, and its readings flow over the carrier's network into the Metbox platform - ideal for single or scattered meters and hard-to-reach spots like basements and pits.
What makes NB-IoT a good fit
A protocol that trades a local network for the carrier's - simple to deploy, strong indoors, and built for meters that run for years.
No gateway, no local network
Meters connect directly to the mobile network, so there's no gateway to mount, power or maintain - and nothing to build.
Deep indoor coverage
Narrowband cellular reaches into basements, meter pits and dense buildings where other signals drop out.
Licensed, managed spectrum
It runs on operators' licensed bands, so connectivity is reliable, interference-free and backed by carrier service.
Low power, long life
Power-saving modes let meters sleep deeply between readings - a single battery commonly lasts well over a decade.
Massive device density
A single cell supports a very large number of meters, so deployments scale without adding local hardware.
Fast to deploy
Configure with Metbox settings, place the meter, and it's online - the simplest path from install to data.
The protocol, in short
The key facts that matter when you're planning a deployment.
- Standard
- NB-IoT (3GPP LPWAN)
- Spectrum
- Licensed cellular · carrier SIM
- Topology
- Meter → carrier network → platform
- Coverage
- Carrier NB-IoT · strong deep indoors
- Power
- Battery · PSM / eDRX · 10+ yr
- Best for
- Single & scattered meters, no local infra
How NB-IoT meters save battery
NB-IoT defines power modes that trade battery life against how quickly a meter can be reached.
Connected
The meter stays reachable on a normal listening cycle - lowest latency, highest power use.
Extended sleep
Listening windows stretch further apart, balancing battery savings with periodic reachability.
Power save
The meter sleeps deeply between scheduled transmissions for the longest possible battery life.
From meter to platform in four steps
No gateway, no local network - configure the meter and the data is online.
Configure the meter
An NB-IoT meter with a SIM is set up with Metbox settings - no field hardware to add.
Connects to the network
The meter joins the operator's NB-IoT network directly and sends small, encrypted readings.
Platform ingests
Readings arrive at the Metbox platform validated and structured, ready to view and analyse.
Export & integrate
Export consumption as CSV/XLSX or connect by API to billing and ERP platforms.
No field hardware - just meters & the platform
NB-IoT skips the gateway entirely. Meters connect directly to the carrier; the Metbox platform handles the rest.
NB-IoT meters
SIM-equipped water, heat, gas and electricity meters that connect straight to the mobile network - no gateway required.
Metbox configuration
Meters are set up with Metbox settings so their readings flow over the carrier's NB-IoT network into the platform.
Metbox Platform
Dashboards, reports, alerts and API integrations for every reading your meters send in.
Metbox supports 10+ tested NB-IoT meter models. See the full compatibility list →
Put meters online - without the infrastructure
Tell the Metbox team about your meters and locations. We'll confirm NB-IoT support and get your readings flowing - no gateways, no network to build.