Analyst figures showed cellular IoT modules remained resilient in the face of memory component shortages which are hammering the smartphone sector, with shipments of the specialised units up 15% year-on-year in H1.

IoT Analytics estimates module shipments were aided by an acceleration during Q2, though its numbers also indicate the technology involved is a key element and may explain why the market has so-far resisted the broader component problem.

The research specialist believes shipments of LTE Cat 1 bis modules dominated the sector in H1, stating “5G deployment has been relatively gradual” and focused more around “higher-value applications”.

It is reasonable to conclude the lean towards established LTE equipment may have alleviated some of the component woes affecting broader device markets and IoT Analytics acknowledged expectations of increased prices for memory and other apparatus may have led some companies to bring orders forward.

Senior principal analyst Satyajit Sinha said it is unclear if the performance of the IoT module market “reflects underlying demand and how much is being pulled forward by longer lead times and rising component costs”.

Although cautious, Sinha noted the steady demand for LTE Cat 1 bis modules and fresh projects could contribute to continued shipment strength in the back-half of the year. The flip-side to this would be in making predictions for 2027 harder.

Other insights in IoT Analytics’ H1 numbers are RedCap and eRedCap modules remained nascent. The company stated the units are “only beginning to move from roadmap into volume” as devices become available and demand is spurred by rising standalone 5G coverage.

“NB-IoT continues to slip” from a peak in Q1 2024.

The company noted China remained the largest market for IoT module shipments, but stated those in India registered the swiftest growth.

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