Qualcomm has announced that its LTE Cat M1 and NB-1 modem has scored some big design wins among the IoT’s leading module OEMs. These designs are an addition to the more than 100 designs announced last June using the Company's MDM9x07 LTE IoT modems. Designed as a global connectivity solution for applications such as battery-powered sensors, the MDM9206 modem features a purpose-built design for IoT and offers lower power consumption and longer range connectivity than the Company's previous LTE generations.
“The global IoT opportunity is rapidly expanding,” said Serge Willenegger, SVP, product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “IoT will be much more than about connecting people to things; they will be extending information management systems all the way to the edge, allowing machines and devices to work with one another and support increasing service opportunities and operational efficiencies across most industries. Momentum around our MDM9206 modem for Cat M1 and NB-1 demonstrates demand today for reliable, optimized LTE cellular connectivity to support the new range of IoT applications and services.”
The MDM9206 modem is designed to support LTE category M1 (eMTC), upgradeable to dual category M1/NB-1 mode with an anticipated upcoming software update. This allows IoT products to function in a diverse set of operator deployments worldwide, maximizing the products' global reach and scalability. The simpler narrowband LTE categories help the MDM9206 modem to support low-cost, low-power, low-bandwidth and greater coverage for the next-generation of IoT products and services, while also enhancing battery life as compared to previous LTE generations.
“AT&T and Qualcomm Technologies have a successful and long-standing relationship that is deepening with the IoT,” said Chris Penrose, president, Internet of Things, AT&T. “Qualcomm Technologies will join our pilot of LTE-M network and module technology that will enable a new generation of industries and applications for IoT. The Qualcomm MDM9206 modem will help deliver new, intelligent and cost-effective IoT services, and use cases to our industrial, commercial and smart cities customers.”
“Thanks to the improved building blocks for IoT solutions, every facet of our world is becoming connected,” said Mike Lanman, SVP, IoT and enterprise products, Verizon. “By utilizing solutions including Qualcomm Technologies' MDM9206 modem, which is integrated with IoT platforms like Verizon's Thingspace, we can accelerate the delivery of connected services specifically tailored for rapidly growing markets like smart metering for utilities including electric, gas and water.”
Module OEMs are expected to launch MDM9206-based Cat M1 capable modules in early 2017. A software upgrade for Cat NB-1 is expected to be available shortly thereafter.
Edited by
Alicia Young
