From Cat M to Cat 1 bis: How Sequans and MIKROE Empower Flexible IoT Deployments

As IoT projects move from proof of concept to large‑scale deployment, one question keeps coming back:
Which cellular technology should I choose?

LTE Cat‑M has a well‑established ecosystem and track record, while LTE Cat‑1 bis is rapidly emerging to address use cases where bandwidth and performance requirements exceed typical Cat‑M capabilities, and where standard LTE coverage is available even in regions without dedicated Cat‑M support.

Today, Sequans is expanding its collaboration with MIKROE to make that choice easier, by removing the risk of making the wrong one.

Expanding the Sequans + MIKROE Cellular Portfolio

Thanks to a growing portfolio of MIKROE Click boards® powered by Sequans chipsets, developers can now access:

• LTE Cat‑M / NB‑IoT solutions (already widely deployed)
• LTE Cat‑1 bis, now available as a modular extension

This expansion allows customers to evaluate, prototype, and deploy using the same development ecosystem, without locking themselves into a single cellular technology too early.

Cat‑M vs. Cat‑1 bis: Why the Hesitation Is Legitimate

Choosing between Cat‑M and Cat‑1 bis is not always straightforward.

Cat‑M is ideal when:

• Ultra‑low power consumption is critical
• Message sizes are small and infrequent
• Global operator support is already available

Cat‑1 bis becomes attractive when:

• More data throughput is required
• Richer firmware updates are planned
• Extra link budget or deployment longevity is needed
• A single‑antenna design is preferred over classic Cat‑1

Many projects sit right in the middle — and committing too early can slow down deployment or increase redesign costs later.

A Modular Answer to a Strategic Question

This is where the MIKROE modular approach powered by Sequans changes the game.

Thanks to standardized hardware interfaces and software abstraction:

• Developers can build a single POC platform
• Switch from Cat‑M to Cat‑1 bis simply by replacing the cellular module
• Reuse the same host MCU, application code, and peripherals

No board redesign. No long iteration cycles. No technology dead end.

From Lab to Field: Test in Real Deployment Conditions

Technology decisions cannot be made on datasheets alone.

With Sequans‑based MIKROE Click boards®, customers can:

• Test Cat‑M and Cat‑1 bis on the same device
• Validate coverage, latency, throughput, and power consumption
• Compare real‑world operator behavior across regions

This enables data‑driven decisions, instead of assumptions — whether the target deployment is smart metering, asset tracking, industrial monitoring, or smart cities.

De‑Risking IoT Projects at Every Stage

The combination of Sequans’ cellular expertise and MIKROE’s modular ecosystem offers a clear advantage:

• Flexibility: adapt as network strategies evolve
• Speed: faster POC and time‑to‑market
• Lower risk: avoid costly redesigns late in the project
• Scalability: move confidently from pilot to mass deployment

In a market where cellular technologies and operator strategies keep evolving, flexibility is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Conclusion: Build Once, Choose When Ready

With the availability of LTE 5 Click (Cat‑1 bis) alongside of LTE IoT 10 Click, (Cat‑M), Sequans and MIKROE empower developers to focus on innovation first, and postpone the final technology decision until real‑world data proves which option is best.

Build your POC. Test in the field. Switch technologies easily.

And deploy with confidence.