Nordic Semiconductor Takes the nRF93M Offering Developers an Easy, Pre-certified path Towards Cat 1 bis IoT

Nordic Semiconductor has announced the general availability of its multi-regional nRF93M1-LABA smart modem module, which has achieved Global Certification Forum (GCF) compliance. Concurrently, the company has begun sampling the nRF93M1-LACA, a global-band variant that is pin- and software-compatible with the nRF93M1-LABA. These two variants provide developers with a streamlined and accelerated path to deploy Cat 1 bis connected devices across diverse global markets, eliminating the need to redesign hardware for each specific region.

The nRF93M1 is engineered to simplify Cat 1 bis development by addressing common challenges such as fragmented tooling, supply chain complexities, inconsistent documentation, and the need for developers to build cloud integration themselves. According to Nordic, any host MCU can connect to the nRF93M1 via UART or USB, establishing a secure connection to nRF Cloud within minutes, without requiring additional integration work. The combination of GCF certification and the nRF93M1-LACA variant extends this simplified approach to global deployments, ensuring hardware, firmware, and cloud integration remain consistent.

Development with the nRF93M1 Development Kit is fully supported by the nRF Connect SDK and Nordic's AI-assisted development flow, which aids in firmware bring-up and configuration. Nordic states that nRF Cloud services offer comprehensive device management, observability, and firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates, supporting the product lifecycle from initial prototype to live fleet deployments. These services are also compliant with the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

Nordic positions the nRF93M1 for data-intensive, real-world applications including fleet management and telematics, asset tracking and shared transport, point-of-sale terminals, healthcare and remote patient monitoring, gateways and data concentrators, and smart energy and metering. The company is actively collaborating with lead customers and has ongoing design-ins across these application areas.

Specifications

Key Features

• The nRF93M1-LABA is a multi-regional smart modem module that has reached general availability.
• The nRF93M1-LACA is a pin- and software-compatible global-band variant, currently in sampling.
• The nRF93M1 supports host MCU connections through UART or USB.
• The modem can connect securely to nRF Cloud within minutes without separate integration work.
• GCF certification, combined with the nRF93M1-LACA, enables global rollout without re-engineering hardware, firmware, or cloud integration.
• The nRF93M1 Development Kit is supported by the nRF Connect SDK.
• Nordic's AI-assisted development flow supports firmware bring-up and configuration.
• nRF Cloud provides device management, observability, and firmware-over-the-air updates across the product lifecycle.
• nRF Cloud services are compliant with the EU Cyber Resilience Act.
• The nRF93M1 Development Kit pairs the nRF93M1 with Nordic's ultra-low-power nRF54L15 as the host MCU.
• The Development Kit works with any embedded or rich-OS host through the AT command interface, PPP, or USB.
• The Development Kit ships with application examples, a preloaded Onomondo SIM, and an LTE antenna.

Applications

• Fleet management and telematics
• Asset tracking and shared transport
• Point-of-sale terminals
• Healthcare and remote patient monitoring
• Gateways and data concentrators
• Smart energy and metering
• Cat 1 bis connected devices deployed across global markets

Avalibility

The nRF93M1 Development Kit (nRF93M1 DK) is available for developers working with the nRF93M1 cellular modem module. The kit includes the development hardware, preprogrammed firmware, documentation, hardware schematics, and layout files, along with an LTE antenna. The nRF93M1 DK is designed for the development of LTE Cat 1 bis cellular data transmission on the nRF93M1 and Bluetooth Low Energy functionality on the nRF54L15 SoC.