Link Labs, a developer of low-power, wide-area network technologies for powering the Internet of Things (IoT), announced that it has received certification for its low-power LTE Cat-M1 Sensor Suite for the Verizon 4G LTE network, in what the companies say is the first commercial deployment of this category of technology.
The Link Labs Sensor Suite utilizes the Sequans Monarch chipset and is available as both a pre-certified device for OEM systems, as well as part of the fully-integrated Sensor Suite that Link Labs is launching in conjunction with Verizon’s LTE Cat M1 network roll-out, scheduled to reach nationwide coverage by the end of Q1 2017. The Link Labs Cat-M1 Sensor Suite integrates a certified communications module and host MCU, and ships with an open source software library and example projects that enable developers and OEMs to quickly add LTE Cat-M1 communications capabilities to their applications. As part of Release 13 of the global 3GPP standard, LTE Cat-M1 offers users the coverage, scalability, and security of LTE, and the low-power of LPWA networks, according to the company.
“Link Labs is proud to launch the first carrier-certified LTE Cat-M1 sensor device on the Verizon network, which will be the largest LTE Cat-M1 network in the US once fully deployed across the United States, scheduled for end of Q1 2017,” commented Link Labs' CEO, Bob Proctor. “Verizon and Sequans are truly at the forefront of the Internet of Things, and have been incredible collaborators across all aspects of the business. The ability to launch a battery-powered IoT application wherever there is Verizon LTE coverage is truly game changing for our customers.”
“LTE Cat M1 technology addresses the battery life, coverage, security, and cost challenges posed by many IoT use cases and we expect it will be a game changer for the industry. We are pleased to see Link Labs, is using Sequans Monarch Cat M1 chipset, the world’s first commercially available Cat M1 chip, to bring a cost-effective solution to market that will demonstrate just how profoundly disruptive this new technology is,” said Chris Schmidt, executive director, device technology, Verizon.
Additionally, the Link Labs Sensor Suite will offer an open source hardware and software platform to ease demonstration of the most common IoT applications, accelerate solution development, and lower costs for manufacturers and solution providers. The Sensor Suite has been optimized for low-power applications, and leverages Link Labs’ extensive experience designing IoT devices. "With the LTE Cat-M1 Sensor Suite, customers can pilot LTE Cat-M1-based solutions in under a day, instead of the months traditionally needed to build new connected devices," said a Link Labs press release.
“Link Labs is a true innovator in IoT, and was quick to recognize the importance of having a fully-optimized, purpose-built LTE Cat M1 chip for its sensor ecosystem, a use case for which LTE Cat M1 technology is ideally suited. We are excited to partner with them,” noted Georges Karam, Sequans’s CEO. “LTE Cat M1 technology is vital to the success of LTE for the IoT market and the new Sequans-powered Link Labs Sensor Suite will signal the arrival of a new wave of innovative IoT devices.”
For more information, visit www.link-labs.com.
