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Nordic Semiconductor, a global contributor in low-power wireless connectivity solutions, has announced that its multi-regional nRF93M1-LABA smart modem module, introduced at Mobile World Congress in March 2026, has reached general availability with Global Certification Forum (GCF) compliance, alongside the start of sampling for the nRF93M1-LACA, a pin-, and software-compatible global-band variant. Together, they give developers a faster path to deploying Cat 1 bis connected devices across global markets without redesigning their hardware for each region.

Built for simplicity, with global reach

The nRF93M1 is built to remove the friction that typically hinders Cat 1 bis development, such as fragmented tooling, supply chain exposure, inconsistent documentation, and a cloud integration that developers would otherwise have to build themselves. With the nRF93M1, any host MCU can connect via UART or USB and reach nRF Cloud securely within minutes, with no separate integration work required. That same simplicity now carries through to global scaling. GCF certification, together with the nRF93M1-LACA variant, means a developer can move from multi-regional products to true global rollout without re-engineering their hardware, firmware or cloud integration.

Simplified AI-assisted developer experience from chip to cloud

Development with the nRF93M1 Development Kit is supported by the nRF Connect SDK and Nordic’s AI-assisted development flow, accelerating firmware bring-up and configuration. From the first prototype, the nRF Cloud services’ device management, observability and firmware-over-the-air updates carry the product all the way to live fleet deployments in the field, all compliant with the EU Cyber Resilience Act. No other suppliers combine hardware, software, tools and cloud services across the full product lifecycle.

Built for data-intensive, real-world applications

The nRF93M1 targets 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. Nordic is already working with lead customers and design-ins across these applications.

“Getting GCF and other certifications while extending the same pin-compatible hardware to a global-band variant means a customer can move from multi-regional devices with nRF93M1-LABA toward worldwide rollout with nRF93M1-LACA without touching their PCB or their software”, says Kristian Saether, Senior Product Director Long-Range at Nordic Semiconductor. “Combined with how simple the nRF93M1 already is to bring up, that’s what working with Nordic looks like in practice.”

Two paths to Cat 1 bis made easy

Nordic supports two ways to build a cellular IoT device: Either pair a smart modem, like the nRF93M1, with an external host application MCU of the developer’s choice (e.g. the nRF54L15 SoC), or use an open application MCU device with a processor integrated directly on-chip, like the nRF9151 module and the upcoming nRF92 Series. Both paths run on the same nRF Cloud and nRF Connect SDK foundation, for developers to choose the integration that fits their design without changing tools or services.

Availability

The nRF93M1 Development Kit pairs the nRF93M1 with Nordic’s ultra-low-power nRF54L15 as host MCU, though it works with any embedded or rich-OS host over the AT command interface, PPP, or USB. It ships with application examples and a preloaded Onomondo SIM and LTE antenna, enabling developers to connect to the network and nRF Cloud within minutes.

The nRF93M1 Development Kit is available globally today through Nordic’s distribution partners. The nRF93M1-LABA multi-regional smart modem can be ordered through distribution, with volume shipments starting in September 2026. Sampling for the nRF93M1-LACA global-band variant also starts in September, with volume production expected by the end of 2026. Reach out to your local Nordic sales representative for early-access samples.

With GCF and CE certifications now complete, regional and mobile operator certifications are on track to be completed in time for the lead customer volume ramp.

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