Airgain Launches Industry’s First Commercially Available Cat 1 bis Embedded Modem Certified for Customer End-Applications

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Airgain, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRG), a leading provider of wireless connectivity solutions, today announced the launch of the NimbeLink Skywire™ Cat 1 bis Embedded Modem, the industry’s 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 modem marks a major leap forward in simplifying and accelerating IoT deployments across industrial, healthcare, logistics, and smart city environments.

Airgain’s Skywire™ Cat 1 bis embedded modem is certified for customer end-applications—enabling faster, lower-cost IoT deployments with global carrier support.

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Built on next-generation Cat 1 bis technology, the Skywire Cat 1 bis modem delivers the optimal balance of performance, power efficiency, and cost—particularly ideal for IoT devices that require moderate data rates, global network coverage, and long-term deployment. Unlike traditional cellular modules, which require time-consuming and costly certification, Airgain’s modem comes pre-certified as an end device, enabling customers to bypass most regulatory bottlenecks and bring solutions to market up to 80% faster.

“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 Cellular LTE Modem Technology 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.

Why Cat 1 bis?

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. Best of all, Airgain’s Cat 1 bis modem delivers Cat 1-class performance at nearly the same price point as Cat M modules—making it an ideal upgrade path for developers looking to reduce costs without sacrificing speed or reliability.

Product Highlights:

• Certified for End-Device Applications: Pre-certified on select global networks to eliminate most regulatory certification hurdles
• Plug-and-Play: Standard Skywire 20-pin footprint enables drop-in replacement for existing designs
• Cost-Optimized: MSRP 20–30% lower than previous Cat 1 solutions
• Global Carrier Support: Available in North American (TC1bisNAG) and Worldwide (QC1bisWWG) versions
• Compact and Durable: Industrial-grade form factor (29 x 33.9 x 10.8 mm) optimized for space-constrained applications
• Future-Proof: Built on the latest Telit and Quectel Cat 1 bis cellular modules

The Skywire Cat 1 bis modem is available now for evaluation, with immediate commercial availability. Customers can access development kits, reference designs, and migration guides to enable a seamless integration process. The Cat 1 bis modem is available through Airgain’s authorized distribution partners, including DigiKey, Braemac, Mouser, GetWireless, Arrow, and Richardson.

To learn more, visit NimbeLink Skywire Cat 1 bis Embedded Modem on Airgain.com.

Note: Carrier certification may vary by region and application. Customers should verify compatibility with specific mobile network operators as part of their deployment process.

About Airgain, Inc.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Airgain, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRG) is a leading provider of advanced wireless connectivity solutions that drive cutting-edge innovation in 5G technology. We are committed to delivering high-performance, cost-effective, and energy-efficient wireless solutions that enable rapid market deployment. Our mission is to connect the world through integrated, innovative, and optimized wireless solutions. Our diverse product portfolio serves three primary markets: enterprise, automotive, and consumer. For more information, visit airgain.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

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