American chipmaker Qualcomm Monday launched its first Internet of Things (IoT) Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem aimed at Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications and said the modem is expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2021.

The Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem supports global 5G NR sub-6Ghz bands and operates in standalone (SA) mode only, with the capability to switch to LTE as required. It can be deployed over private or public 5G networks, leveraging network slicing or in isolation.

Furthermore, it can be integrated with existing ethernet and wired technologies and provides extended software and hardware maintenance and assistance.

“This new solution will aid accelerate the digital transformation of the 5G IIoT industry, proliferating 5G for IoT,” Qualcomm said in a statement.

With this launch, the chipmaker said it intends to support the IoT ecosystem in building upgradeable LTE and 5G devices for IoT verticals, accelerate the adoption of 5G connectivity for IoT, and increase the opportunity for 5G in the IoT industry.

“The Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem is intended to meet the needs of industry segments including retail, energy, automation and manufacturing, precision agricultural, construction, mining, public venues, and more,” it added.

Additionally, due to its integrated RF front-end, this solution expands the portfolio of LTE IoT modems that are designed to deliver a compatible solution for current LTE legacy modules.

This will provide legacy modules with the ability to upgrade their solutions without changing the existing hardware, which will, in turn, minimize development efforts and costs, and will allow a seamless transition from LTE to 5G.

“We are pleased to unveil our new 5G IoT solution which will help stimulate and scale the 5G IoT industry and enable the transitions needed for Industry 4.0. This solution will help create long-lasting devices and promote growth and expansion in the 5G IoT industry, allowing seamless integration for customers utilizing previous generations of connectivity,” said Jeffery Torrance, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.