LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Size (2023 - 2030)

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market is estimated to be worth USD 749.29 Million in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 4820.86 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 26.2% during the outlook period 2023-2030.

LTE Cat M1 is an LTE technology devised for IoT and M2M communications, which offers low to medium data rates and operates within existing LTE networks. It falls under the category of low-power wide-area (LPWA) cellular technologies. It was devised by 3GPP as part of the LTE standard. LTE Cat M1 supports upload/download speeds below 1 Mbps and can operate in Half Duplex or Full Duplex modes. Unlike NB-IoT, it operates in the same LTE band utilized for cellular applications. This is advantageous for carriers as they don't need to invest resources in creating new antennas. Instead, they can simply update the software as long as the devices are compatible with their LTE network. LTE Cat M1 coexists with 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, inheriting their security and privacy features like user identity confidentiality, entity authentication, data integrity, and mobile equipment identification.

LTE Cat M1 technology accompanies NB-IoT and offers swifter upload and download speeds of up to 1 Mbps, along with lower latency of 10 to 15 ms. It operates in either Half Duplex or Full Duplex modes, thereby utilizing a total bandwidth of 1.4 MHz. One of its key advantages over NB-IoT is the ability to seamlessly hand over connections between cell sites, which enables its utilization in mobile applications. In contrast, NB-IoT is constrained to fixed applications within a single cell site's coverage area without the capability for handover. LTE Cat M1 falls within the broader LTE category system, which offers different data speeds, frequency spectrum, power usage, and signal range. It gives precedence to power efficiency and longer signal range over high data rates, which makes it well-suited for IoT applications. The lower data rates facilitate signals to travel farther while consuming less power.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Drivers:

The low-to-medium specialization of the technology is fueling the growth of the Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market.

LTE CAT M1 cellular connectivity provides advantages for local IoT applications that don't necessitate large-scale systems. It supports upload/download speeds up to 1 Mbps, which makes it well-suited for low to medium data collection. Remote firmware updates can be performed, thereby conserving time and cost. In smart city IoT projects, LTE CAT M1 is beneficial for sensors in areas with restricted network coverage, which allows support for devices like smart meters and HVAC systems. The extended range accommodates data transfer in underground or hard-to-reach buildings. Furthermore, LTE CAT M1 enables voice functionality for in-building IoT projects involving human interaction, including alarm panels and security systems. Therefore, this factor propels the demand for LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module.

The power-saving features of the technology are another factor contributing to the growth of the Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market.

LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module offers power-saving modes that assist in extending the battery life of devices. Power Saving Mode (PSM) enables devices to conserve power by entering a dormant state when they are not actively transmitting data. The eDRX mode is another power-saving feature that permits devices to sleep for prolonged durations and wake up at stipulated time frames. The extent of power optimization depends on the configuration of the IoT ecosystem. With LTE-M, batteries can frequently retain power for several months or even longer, which boosts the longevity of devices. Therefore, this factor also propels the demand for LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Challenges:

The Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market is encountering challenges, primarily in terms of limited bandwidth and network congestion. LTE Cat M1 has a restricted amount of available bandwidth. Certain tests have shown that typical upload speeds are approximately 300 Kbps, even though LTE Cat M1 theoretically supports peak upload speeds of around 1 Mbps. Moreover, during instances of network congestion, devices using LTE Cat M1 may be shifted off the network. When a cell site becomes overloaded with users, the network may necessitate LTE Cat M1 devices that have been connected for a significant duration to disconnect and reconnect at a later time. Thus, these challenges inhibit the growth of the Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Opportunities:

The Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market is projected to offer profitable prospects for businesses operating in the Internet of Things (IoT) domain, fostering partnerships, mergers, collaborations, and agreements during the forecast period 2023-2030. Furthermore, there is a potential to make technological advancements and upgrades with novel business ideas for a competitive edge in the market by tapping into a profitable outcome. 

COVID-19 Impact on the Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market:

The Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market has been considerably influenced by the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result of rigorous lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures, the demand for LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module waned. Delays in the expedient manufacturing and distribution of goods and services have also been caused by the pandemic's influence on the market's supply chain. The pandemic caused significant setbacks in China's semiconductor manufacturing sector, with production suspensions in containment areas impacting electronics and medical device manufacturing. It led to the postponement or cancellation of multiple IoT projects worldwide. These factors negatively impacted the market's growth. Despite these challenges, the market is projected to rebound alongside the global recovery from the pandemic.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Recent Developments:

• In February 2023, Sierra Wireless, a subsidiary of Semtech Corporation, unveiled the 5G HL7900, its latest HL Series LPWA module. This module caters to next-gen applications with low power usage, extended device lifespan, and compliance with 3GPP's latest 5G standards. 
• In May 2021, Renesas Electronics Corporation, a leading provider of avant-garde semiconductor solutions, unveiled the RYZ014A. This marks Renesas' inaugural cellular IoT module that is compatible with the LTE Cat-M1 specification.
• In January 2021, Cavli Wireless and GCT Semiconductor partnered to manufacture IoT modules for LPWAN, LTE, and 5G technologies in India. The partnership strives to enhance local manufacturing capabilities and meet the augmenting demand for IoT modules in India's thriving IoT market.

LTE CAT M1 WIRELESS MODULE MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Segmentation:

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Segmentation: By Component

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

The Hardware segment occupied the highest market share in the year 2022. The growth can be ascribed to the vital role played by hardware components, including chipsets and cellular IoT modules, which serve as the foundational elements of the entire cellular IoT ecosystem. The escalating adoption of cellular IoT modules across an extensive array of applications, such as wearables, connected healthcare devices, smart city infrastructure, and building automation projects, is anticipated to be a key driver for the growth of the hardware segment.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Segmentation: By Application

• Asset management
• ATMs 
• Monitoring Systems
• Smart Meters
• Sensor Nodes 
• Utility Meters
• Others

The Smart Meters segment occupied the highest market share in the year 2022. The growth can be ascribed to the extensive deployment of LTE Cat M1 technology in smart meters as it ensures reliable coverage by leveraging existing mobile networks, which allows for strong communication services even in challenging environments. Its deployment is simplified, which permits independent communication without network disruptions and eliminates the requirement for additional looping. This results in diminished complexity and costs. Furthermore, it prioritizes security, adhering to 3GPP standards inherited from LTE, which assures encrypted data transmission, authentication, and protection against unauthorized access.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Segmentation: By End User

• Automotive and Transportation
• Agriculture
• Energy and Utilities
• Healthcare and E-Health
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Smart Cities and Smart Homes
• Others

The Smart Cities and Smart Homes segment occupied the highest market share in the year 2022. The growth can be ascribed to the augmenting demand for interconnected devices controlled through smartphones or voice assistants. Smart homes offer advantages like improved comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency with features like automated temperature adjustment and programmable lighting. This surge in adoption is boosting the requirement for reliable and secure cellular IoT devices and networks, which offer broader coverage, heightened security, and improved reliability contrasted to other wireless technologies. These trends highlight the growing importance of cellular IoT, especially LTE Cat M1 technology, in facilitating various consumer IoT applications and signify the potential for further growth in the market.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

The region of North America dominated the Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market in the year 2022. The active involvement of solution vendors and component manufacturers in implementing IoT projects, the rapidly evolving technology landscape, and a high propensity among industries to adopt smart and connected products from the early stages are some of the pivotal factors propelling the region's growth. Furthermore, North America is home to several prominent market players, including Cavalier Wireless Inc., Verizon Communications, Inc., and Sierra Wireless, Inc.

The region of Asia-Pacific is anticipated to expand at the quickest rate over the forecast period 2023-2030 owing to the extensive deployments of cellular connectivity in IoT applications across industries such as fleet tracking and management, capillary networks, and smart buildings, and the strong presence of significant market players, including Renesas Electronics Corporation, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd.

Global LTE Cat M1 Wireless Module Market Key Players:

1. Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan)
2. Thales Group (France)
3. Cavalier Wireless Inc. (United States)
4. Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Japan)
5. Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. (China)
6. Verizon Communications, Inc. (United States)
7. Sierra Wireless, Inc. (Canada)
8. Sequans Communications S.A. (France)
9. Telit Communications Ltd. (United Kingdom)
10. SIMCom Wireless Solutions Limited (China)