Revolutionary performance optimized for IoT services with ultra-low cost, ultra-compact size, and low power consumption
Existing LTE communication networks can be utilized without building a new dedicated IoT (Internet of Things) network.

LG Uplus is launching its Internet of Things (IoT) business in earnest through the release of an LTE communication module utilizing LTE services.

LG Uplus announced that it has successfully developed an ultra-low-cost, low-power LTE communication module dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) in collaboration with LG Innotek, and is launching the module and commercializing the service.

The LTE Category 1 (Cat.1) communication module dedicated to the IoT (Internet of Things) being launched utilizes the existing LTE network, so unlike dedicated IoT networks such as Narrowband (NB) IoT, Low Power Long Range (LoRa) communication technology, and Ultra Low Power communication network Sigfox, there is no need to invest additional time and money in new network investment and development, making nationwide service immediately possible.

The size is 28.8mm*16.6mm*2.5mm (width*height*thickness), which is 50% of the size of existing LTE communication modules. As a result, it can be used in various products such as wearables and medical devices, which previously had many size constraints.

In addition, compared to existing communication modules which cost between 30,000 and 40,000 won, the advantage is the low price of around 10,000 won. In addition, it supports Power Save Mode (PSM), which transmits data only when necessary and automatically switches to power-saving mode at other times, making it suitable for IoT services.

In addition, the LTE communication module is equipped with LG Uplus’s proprietary platform (M2MP), allowing the use of Firmware Over The Air (FOTA), an update technology via a wireless network, without the need for a separate solution. Furthermore, it enables real-time reverse control and allows for mobile phone-level precise location measurement with simple additional configurations. It also includes UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) and USB data interfaces.

LG Uplus plans to launch IoT products equipped with this module within the first half of the year.

Cho Won-seok, Senior Vice President of Next-Generation Technology Development at LG Uplus, stated, “Through collaboration with LG Innotek, we have introduced the world’s best LTE communication module dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) for small devices, which lowers costs while maximizing performance.” He added, “We will lead technological evolution by further discovering convergence cases for IoT development through collaboration with various companies.”