NB-IoT in the Real World: A Systematic Review of Practical Applications

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a pivotal IoT technology, delivering low-power, long-range connectivity for applications in agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and infrastructure monitoring. Standardized by 3GPP, it addresses connectivity challenges in complex environments but faces persistent issues, including coverage limitations, energy efficiency trade-offs, data security vulnerabilities, and interoperability. Despite its transformative potential, practical insights from field experiments remain scarce. This study systematically reviews 42 NB-IoT field experiments from IEEE Xplore (2016–2024), highlighting advancements such as energy optimization, integration with non-terrestrial networks, and enhanced LPWAN interoperability. It emphasizes the critical trade-off between advanced functionalities and maintaining energy efficiency for autonomous operations. By consolidating real-world findings, this review provides actionable insights, bridges gaps in practical knowledge, and reinforces NB-IoT’s transformative role as a cornerstone of the IoT ecosystem.