LTE Cat 1bis at a glance:
- LTE Cat 1bis is a simplified version of LTE Cat 1 that uses a single antenna, reducing hardware complexity and cost for IoT devices.
- It offers full 4G LTE support and speeds up to 10 Mbps, making it ideal for applications that need more bandwidth than LTE-M or NB-IoT, without the demands of Cat 4.
- Best suited for compact, cost-sensitive IoT deployments in asset tracking, smart agriculture, industrial monitoring, and consumer devices.
LTE Cat 1bis is a streamlined, cost-efficient variant of LTE Category 1 connectivity, designed specifically for IoT devices. It delivers reliable 4G cellular performance while reducing hardware complexity by operating with a single antenna – unlike standard Cat 1, which requires two.
What Makes LTE Cat 1bis Unique?
While LTE Cat 1 offers a solid balance between speed and power consumption for IoT, Cat 1bis lowers the entry barrier for device makers and developers by simplifying the hardware requirements:
- ✅ Single-antenna operation (standard Cat 1 uses two)
- ✅ Full support across 4G LTE networks globally
- ✅ Data rates up to 10 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up
- ✅ No dependency on 5G or LTE-M/NB-IoT availability
By reducing the need for a second antenna, Cat 1bis allows for smaller, less expensive, and easier-to-deploy devices, especially where space or cost is a limiting factor.
When to Choose LTE Cat 1bis Over Other Technologies
LTE Cat 1bis is ideal for applications that:
- Require nationwide or global LTE coverage
- Need faster data speeds than NB-IoT or LTE-M can provide
- Want to avoid the complexity of dual antennas and related RF design
- Don’t demand the ultra-high throughput of Cat 4 or 5G
It offers a middle ground between LTE-M/NB-IoT (supports Power Saving Mode and extended Discontinuous Reception making it great for low power, low bandwidth) and higher-end LTE (like Cat 4, which requires more power and more complex hardware).
Ideal IoT Use Cases for LTE Cat 1bis
📦 Asset Tracking & Logistics
Lightweight trackers with limited space benefit from Cat 1bis’s single antenna design and broad LTE coverage—ideal for cross-border tracking and condition monitoring.
🏠 Smart Home & Consumer Devices
Devices like connected thermostats or alarm systems that transmit moderate amounts of data can leverage Cat 1bis without requiring advanced LTE modules.
🌾 Smart Agriculture
In-field sensors and equipment that need LTE connectivity without the complexity of high-end RF design can use Cat 1bis for remote monitoring and control.
🏭 Industrial IoT (IIoT)
Devices like remote monitoring units, predictive maintenance sensors, or machine telemetry tools that need decent uplink speeds but simple integration can benefit from Cat 1bis.
LTE Cat 1 vs. LTE Cat 1bis: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | LTE Cat 1 | LTE Cat 1bis |
| Antennas required | 2 | 1 |
| Download speed | ~10 Mbps | ~10 Mbps |
| Coverage | Global LTE | Global LTE |
| Cost | Higher (more components) | Lower (fewer components) |
| Power efficiency | Moderate | Moderate |
Why Use LTE Cat 1bis for IoT?
LTE Cat 1bis represents a sweet spot for IoT deployments: it provides the reliability of LTE, global coverage, and faster data speeds than low-power technologies—without the extra hardware overhead.
For teams building connected devices where cost, size, and ease of integration matter, Cat 1bis can reduce time to market and simplify design—especially when paired with Soracom’s IoT SIM and device management platform.