Nordic Semiconductor Advances its Leadership in Cellular IoT at MWC 2026
Nordic Semiconductor Strengthens Its Position in Cellular IoT at MWC 2026
Introduction
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 held in Barcelona, Nordic Semiconductor has once again reinforced its leadership in the realm of low-power wireless connectivity. The company unveiled a new generation of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, focused on providing secure and resilient connectivity for billions of devices globally. With advancements in technologies such as Cat 1 bis and satellite NTN, Nordic is paving the way for future-ready connectivity solutions that cater to a wide array of applications.
Expanding the Portfolio
During the event, Nordic Semiconductor announced significant expansions to its already robust product lineup aimed at developers seeking reliable, energy-efficient connectivity solutions for various IoT applications. Vegard Wollan, CEO of Nordic Semiconductor, stated the intention behind these expansions: to make it easier for developers to create, deploy, and scale globally connected products from chip to cloud. The company introduced two brand-new product series, nRF92 and nRF93, alongside substantial updates to its existing nRF91 series.
The nRF92 Series
The nRF92 series represents the next generation of LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies, integrating a high-performance microcontroller unit (MCU) with ultra-low-power AI capabilities, positioning Nordic at the forefront of cellular technology. The nRF92 is designed to meet the demands of smart meters, trackers, industrial sensors, and wearable devices, all while ensuring extensive battery life. Notably, pilot deployments are already underway with select strategic partners, with public availability anticipated in early 2027.
The nRF93 Series
The nRF93 series, on the other hand, focuses on LTE Cat. 1 bis connectivity, boasting higher data rates of up to 10 Mbps for downloads and 5 Mbps for uploads, alongside robust performance characteristics. This series, too, embodies Nordic's trademark low power consumption and compact form factor, making it an ideal solution for asset tracking, gateways, and advanced metering. Designed for easy integration across various applications, the nRF93M1 device will also integrate seamlessly with the nRF Cloud platform. The overall availability of the nRF93 series is expected to begin mid-2026.
Enhancements in the nRF91 Series
Furthermore, Nordic announced significant enhancements to the nRF91 series, especially the nRF9151 module, which is recognized as a leading solution for LTE-M/NB-IoT connectivity, now with added satellite connectivity via non-terrestrial networks. A key feature of this module includes a low-frequency operating mode to ensure connectivity when public networks are unavailable, crucial for logistics and smart agriculture.
Future of 5G Connectivity with eRedCap
In line with advancing technologies, Nordic is collaborating with key customers to develop the next-generation eRedCap 5G solutions. This strategic exploration emphasizes the company's commitment to delivering ultra-low-power cellular solutions adaptable to an extensive range of IoT applications. Oyvind Birkenes, Executive VP of Long-Range Products, highlighted this expansion as pivotal for the company's long-term strategy, offering developers a clear roadmap to navigate evolving network demands.
Visit Nordic at Upcoming Events
As part of its outreach, Nordic Semiconductor invites attendees to visit their booths at both MWC Barcelona (Hall 7, Booth 7B51 from March 2-6) and Embedded World 2026 in Nuremberg (Hall 4A, Booth 310 from March 10-12). These events will provide opportunities for live demonstrations and in-depth discussions regarding their latest products and technologies.
Conclusion
With the revelations made at MWC 2026, Nordic Semiconductor is not just enhancing its product offerings, but also affirming its commitment to pioneering advancements in low-power cellular IoT solutions. By continually pushing the boundaries of technology, Nordic remains a trusted partner for developers and companies looking to innovate in the ever-expanding IoT landscape.