Sequans Communications grabbed the IoT spotlight as Mobile World Congress kicked off this week, announcing at the event in Barcelona, Spain, its third-generation low-power semiconductor solution, which will enable cellular IoT operators to create a seamless transition from 4G low-speed modem categories to 5G eRedCap, the “enhanced Reduced Capability” version of 5G IoT technology aimed at low-bandwidth applications.
ABI Research said late last year that about 80 million RedCap IoT modules would ship between 2024 and 2029, and that about 62% of the revenue would come from eRedCap modules–eRedCap having been designed with further reduced capabilities and with lower device cost and complexity in mind. While companies like Qualcomm and Mediatek are seen by ABI as leading the charge with the initial RedCap technology outlined in 3GPP Release 17, Sequans is getting ready for eRedCap, which is part of 3GPP Release 18, and expected to be included in more IoT products beginning in 2026.
Incidentally, the Sequans announcement comes about five months after Sequans sold its 4G IoT technology assets to Qualcomm. At the time, the company reiterated its commitment to 5G IoT and specified RedCap as one of the reasons why it would continue to be well-positioned to support cellular IoT.
"We are excited to introduce our new generation of cellular IoT semiconductors at Mobile World Congress 2025," said Georges Karam, CEO of Sequans. "With the support of 5G eRedCap and enhanced performance, these new chips demonstrate our commitment to innovation and our dedication to providing our customers with the most advanced and efficient cellular connectivity addressing their specific IoT needs."
Sequans’ new offering consists of two new advanced chips added to Sequans' flagship Calliope and Monarch IoT product families:
Calliope 3: Building on the success of the leading Calliope 2 Cat 1bis solution, Calliope 3 adds 5G NR eRedCap to LTE Cat 1bis, offering longevity with improved data rates and robust connectivity. This makes the Calliope product line an ideal solution for IoT applications requiring reliable and cost-effective connectivity, including fleet management, wearables, and security devices.
Monarch 3: Completing the best-in-class LTE-M/NB-IoT Monarch 2 solution, Monarch 3 adds 5G NR eRedCap to LTE-M, providing longevity and ultra-low power efficiency for a wide range of cellular LPWA applications. The Monarch product line is designed to meet the growing demand in industries such as smart metering, healthcare, and asset tracking.
Users of Calliope 2 (LTE Cat 1bis) and Monarch 2 (LTE-M/NB-IoT) now have a clear roadmap to manage their transition to 5G NR eRedCap. Calliope 3 and Monarch 3 modules will be footprint and software compatible with Calliope 2 and Monarch 2 modules. Sequans plans to begin providing samples to customers in 2026.
"As network operators plan their migration from 4G to 5G, it is critical to have 5G eRedCap semiconductors purpose-built for the IoT to achieve the cost and power efficiency needed for IoT applications," said Dan Shey, VP at ABI Research, in a statement provided by Sequans. "Offering products that enable a seamless transition of IoT applications from 4G to 5G eRedCap is extremely important so IoT application designers can develop future-proof products."
The development of these chips benefits from the French 2030 grant awarded to Sequans in 2024 by the French government.