Various aspects of utilizing narrowband internet of things (NB IOT) communication are still under development. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus may be a user equipment (UE) using digital modulation for wireless communication via NB IOT communication in an unlicensed spectrum. The UE utilizes a plurality of downlink carriers in the unlicensed spectrum occupying at least a first minimum bandwidth by the plurality of downlink carriers and a plurality of uplink carriers in the unlicensed spectrum occupying at least a second minimum bandwidth with the plurality of uplink carriers. The UE performs communication using one or more of the plurality of downlink carriers and the plurality of uplink carriers.