Commercial Cat 1 bis embedded modem certified for IoT
Airgain has launched the NimbeLink Skywire™ Cat 1 bis embedded modem, claiming to be the first plug-and-play Cat 1 bis modem for end-application use in industrial IoT.
Designed to streamline cellular integration for a wide range of applications, this new embedded modem significantly simplifies and accelerates IoT deployments across industrial, healthcare, logistics, and smart-city environments.
Built on next-generation Cat 1 bis technology, the Skywire Cat 1 bis modem provides an optimal balance of performance, power efficiency, and cost, making it particularly suitable for IoT devices that require moderate data rates, global network coverage, and long-term deployment. Unlike traditional cellular modules, which often require time-consuming and costly certification, Airgain’s modem is pre-certified as an end device on select global networks, allowing customers to bypass most regulatory hurdles and bring solutions to market up to 80% faster. A standard Skywire 20-pin footprint enables drop-in replacement for existing designs.
“The launch of our Cat 1 bis modem represents a meaningful step forward in simplifying cellular connectivity for IoT,” said Joe Porrazzo, Senior Director of Product at Airgain. “By combining end-device certification, plug-and-play integration, and global carrier support in a compact form factor, we’re helping customers reduce complexity, speed up development cycles, and deploy with rapid time-to-market.”
To help developers and product teams navigate the evolving landscape of low-power cellular technologies, Airgain is hosting a free webinar: “Choosing the Right LTE Modem for Your IoT Application”. Join our experts as we break down Cat 1, Cat 1 bis, Cat M, and other key options to help you make the right decision for your next design. Register here to reserve your spot.
As LTE networks evolve and older 2G/3G technologies sunset, Cat 1 bis has emerged as the new baseline for reliable, globally compatible IoT connectivity. Offering single-antenna design (lower BOM cost), extended coverage in hard-to-reach areas, and improved power efficiency, Cat 1 bis is ideally suited for smart meters, asset trackers, sensors, gateways, and remote monitoring systems. Furthermore, the Cat 1 bis modem offers high performance at nearly the same price point as Cat M modules, making it an ideal upgrade path for developers seeking to reduce costs without compromising speed or reliability. MSRP is 20–30% lower than previous Cat 1 offerings.
The Cat 1 embedded modem is available in versions for North American (TC1bisNAG) and Worldwide (QC1bisWWG). It comes in a compact and durable industrial-grade form factor, measuring 29 x 33.9 x 10.8 mm, that is optimised for space-constrained applications. The modem is built on the latest Telit and Quectel Cat 1 bis cellular modules.
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