Cellular IoT chips with 5G eRedCap

Sequans Communications has unveiled two cutting-edge third-generation low-power cellular IoT chips within its flagship Calliope and Monarch IoT product families at the prestigious Mobile World Congress 2025. These chips are designed to facilitate a seamless transition from the 4G low-speed modem categories to the advanced 5G eRedCap technology.

The first of the new chips, Calliope 3, represents a significant advancement from the successful Calliope 2 Cat 1bis. By integrating 5G NR eRedCap with LTE Cat 1bis, Calliope 3 offers enhanced longevity, improved data rates, and robust connectivity. This makes the Calliope product line particularly well-suited for IoT applications that demand reliable and cost-effective connectivity, such as fleet management, wearables, and security devices.

On the other hand, the second new chip, Monarch 3, builds upon the exceptional LTE-M/NB-IoT Monarch 2 by introducing 5G NR eRedCap to LTE-M. Monarch 3 is engineered to provide longevity and exceptional power efficiency for a wide range of cellular LPWA applications. The Monarch product line is specifically tailored to meet the growing needs in industries like smart metering, healthcare, and asset tracking.

Existing users of Calliope 2 (LTE Cat 1bis) and Monarch 2 (LTE-M/NB-IoT) now have a clear roadmap for transitioning to 5G NR eRedCap. The Calliope 3 and Monarch 3 modules are designed to be footprint and software compatible with their predecessors, Calliope 2 and Monarch 2. Sequans is set to commence providing customers with samples of these new modules in 2026.

“By incorporating 5G eRedCap support and enhancing performance, these new chips underscore our dedication to innovation and commitment to delivering the most advanced and efficient cellular connectivity solutions that cater to the specific IoT requirements of our customers,” stated Georges Karam, the CEO of Sequans.

“As network operators strategize their transition from 4G to 5G, the availability of purpose-built 5G eRedCap semiconductors for IoT applications is crucial to achieving the necessary cost and power efficiency levels,” remarked Dan Shey, the VP at ABI Research. “Providing products that facilitate a seamless migration of IoT applications from 4G to 5G eRedCap is of utmost importance so that IoT application designers can develop products that are future-proof.”