PARIS & BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) announced joint activities to accelerate commercial realization of Category M (CAT M) LTE products based on the coming Release 13 of the 3GPP LTE standard. Release 13 defines new features such as extended coverage, lower data rate and lower power consumption called for by a new class of LTE applications for machine-type-communications (MTC) devices, such as wearables, asset trackers, smart meters and industrial sensors. Verizon and Sequans are collaborating to accelerate development of CAT M-capable LTE chipsets. This effort follows the successful collaboration of Sequans and Verizon on CAT 1 LTE technology, which led to Verizon becoming the first in the world to deploy CAT 1 LTE devices commercially.
“We led the industry when we introduced our Calliope CAT 1 LTE chipset platform, tested it on Verizon’s network, and introduced it to the market where it is now being deployed broadly,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “And we are excited to extend our partnership with Verizon to address the CAT M space. Having the support of Verizon will ensure the new Sequans CAT M-capable chipsets currently in development will be ready as quickly as possible.”
“Verizon was the first in the world to make IoT-optimized Category 1 features available on our LTE network, and we’re committed to continuing our leadership in this space,” said Rosemary McNally, VP of Device Technology at Verizon. “We are pleased that Sequans is accelerating LTE CAT M-capable chipsets, as this provides more choices for customers interested in leveraging the largest, most reliable LTE network.”
3GPP Release 13 specifications are in development and are expected to conclude by early 2016. The optimizations in coverage, cost, and power consumption will expand the addressable market for LTE networks to enable a large, new class of IoT devices. Sequans’ CAT 1 LTE chipsets will, for the foreseeable future, continue to address the growing list of devices for higher bandwidth IoT applications such as in security, telematics and digital signage. Meanwhile, the new Sequans CAT M-capable chipsets will address an additional list of newer IoT applications, including wearables, asset trackers, smart meters, smart cities, and industrial sensors.
About Sequans Communications
Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a 4G chipmaker and leading provider of single-mode LTE chipset solutions to wireless device manufacturers worldwide. Sequans offers two LTE product lines: StreamrichLTE™, optimized for feature-rich mobile computing and home/portable router devices, and StreamliteLTE™, optimized for M2M and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Sequans is based in Paris, France, with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com; www.facebook.com/sequans; www.twitter.com/sequans.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) employs a diverse workforce of 177,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide. Headquartered in New York, the company also provides communications and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.
