Italian IoT company Telit and Sequans, a specialist in 5G and 4G cellular connectivity, worked together to launch CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) modules that can support a wide range of applications including industrial IoT and M2M devices, gateways, and broadband consumer devices.

These are said to be the industry’s first cost-effective LCC (leadless chip carrier) modules designed from the ground up to enable easy and massive deployment of IoT devices on private LTE CBRS networks.

Telit has announced the availability of two modules designed and built to support CBRS networks in the USA. The modules are based on French firm Sequans’ Cassiopeia LTE Cat 4 and 6 chipset technology and are for the design of devices for private LTE IoT and broadband applications.

The Telit LTE Cat 4 LE915A4-PCBRS module, based on the Sequans Cassiopeia SQN3220SC chipset, is pin-to-pin compatible with the Sequans CB410L module, and the Telit LTE Cat 6 LE915A6-P, based on the Sequans Cassiopeia SQN3220 chipset, is compatible with the Sequans CB610L module.

Both are LCC modules designed from the ground up to enable easy and massive deployment of IoT devices on private LTE CBRS networks. The modules can support a wide range of applications and the small form factor LCC package enables easy mounting into small and thin devices or Mini-PCI or M.2 NGFF carriers.

The CBRS module are available in two versions for LTE Cat 6 and 4. They meet 3GPP release 10. The LCC package measures 32 by 29mm.

The modules support CBRS networks in the USA on LTE band 48 and MNO networks worldwide on LTE bands 42/43. They include drivers for all major host operating systems and a comprehensive set of interfaces.

“Telit has shown leadership in providing the CBRS market with solutions to accelerate the deployment of IoT devices on private LTE CBRS networks and we are excited to collaborate with them on these two new CBRS modules,” said Didier Dutronc, chief marketing officer at Sequans. “Telit has over 20 years’ experience in IoT with a reputation for innovation and excellence.”

Manish Watwani, chief marketing and product officer for Telit, added: “Sequans has tremendous experience in 3.5GHz and the new modules will be of great interest to our customers building IoT, M2M or broadband devices for CBRS networks. The modules share the same proven software architecture as Sequans’ other LTE modules, ensuring easy integration, a fast time to market, and we can offer them with assurance of high quality.”

According to ABI Research, “as 2G and 3G networks are shut down and full capability 5G networks are deployed, 4G LTE will be the workhorse driving IoT applications,” said Dan Shey, VP and IoT practice director. “In fact, by 2025, LTE devices will comprise over 65% of the cellular IoT device install base. Private network deployments will be yet another market contributing to LTE’s market dominance over the next decade.”

And Alan Ewing, executive director of the CBRS Alliance, said: “Following the recent priority access licences (PAL) auction, it is clear that OnGo 4G and 5G in the CBRS band appeal to a large and diverse set of users, which is driving increased market demand for OnGo deployments. As valued CBRS Alliance members, Telit and Sequans are among the leaders in the industry and we’re excited to see them partner together to continue to expand the depth of the ecosystem.”