Context: Recently, BSNL Unveils World's First Narrowband-IoT Network  in partnership with Skylotec India to Aid Indian Railways Agriculture And Fishery Sector.
About NB-IoT

• NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technology that works virtually anywhere.
• It will connect many more devices to the Internet of Things and make many new applications a reality.
• It is optimized for applications that need to communicate small amounts of data over long periods of time.
• Since it operates in licensed spectrum, it is secure and reliable providing guaranteed quality of service.
• It connects devices more simply and efficiently on already established mobile networks and handles small amounts of fairly infrequent 2-way data, securely and reliably.

It provides

• very low power consumption
• excellent extended range in buildings and underground
• easy deployment into the existing cellular network architecture
• network security & reliability
• lower component cost

What is the Internet of Things?

• The internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.
• Thus IoT creates opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefits.
• IoT is one of the platforms of today’s Smart City and Smart Energy Management Systems. It can also be used to improve crop yield to help feed the world’s growing population.

Draft IoT Policy

• The Policy framework of the IoT Policy has been proposed to be implemented via a multi-pillar approach.
• The approach comprises five vertical pillars (Demonstration Centres, Capacity Building & Incubation, R&D and Innovation, Incentives and Engagements, Human Resource Development) and 2 horizontal supports (Standards & Governance structure).

It focuses on the following objectives

• To create an IoT industry in India of USD 15 billion by 2020. It has been assumed that India would have a share of 5-6% of the global IoT industry.
• To undertake capacity development (Human & Technology) for IoT specific skill-sets for domestic and international markets.
• To undertake Research & development for all the assisting technologies.
• To develop IoT products specific to Indian needs in all possible domains.