Next generation M2M Cellular Networks: LTE-MTC and NB-IoT capacity analysis for Smart Grids applications

LTE technology, although traditionally defined for H2H (Human-to-Human) Communications, could be a good candidate for M2M (Machine-to-Machine) Communications. For this reason, the global 3GPP standard promotes in the recent Releases low complexity devices to support M2M applications. LTE-MTC (Machine-Type-Communications) and NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) appear as promising solutions for Smart Grid services. In this work, specific use cases, such as emerging Energy Services, have been investigated by evaluating coverage and capacity analysis in real context, to investigate how new M2M devices could be employed. This work wants to focus on the feasibility of the existing public LTE networks to support large number of devices in order to provide useful suggestions for future M2M Cellular Networks definition.