Lierda IoT Modules: Cat.1 bis Growth and OEM Strategy
Lierda’s 69% YoY Growth Positions It Among the Fastest-Growing IoT Module Vendors Globally
Lierda Science & Technology Group Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed IoT service provider (Beijing Stock Exchange, code 920249) headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Founded in 2001, the company designs and manufactures a broad portfolio of IoT modules spanning Cat.1, Wi-Fi, BLE, NB-IoT, LoRa, and other LPWAN technologies. With a 976-person workforce, including 224 R&D engineers, and an 18,000 m² factory, Lierda has become a significant player in the global cellular IoT module market.
Market Momentum in Cat.1 bis and LPWAN
According to third-party market data, global cellular IoT module shipments rose 10% year-over-year in 2024, led by demand in China and India. Within this growth, LTE Cat.1 bis emerged as the fastest-expanding technology, with shipments doubling in 2024 as it replaced legacy 2G/3G and NB-IoT in many applications. Lierda capitalised on this trend: the company’s shipments surged 69% YoY in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing vendors globally, per Berg Insight data.
China’s share of the global cellular IoT module market reached 63% in 2024, up from 55% the prior year, providing a strong domestic base for Chinese OEMs like Lierda. The company also serves export markets including Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East (export ratio approximately 8.46%).
Comprehensive Product Portfolio and Certification Coverage
Lierda offers a wide range of IoT modules covering 5G, RF, LoRa, NB-IoT, Cat.1, Wi-SUN, Wi-Fi, BLE, and ZigBee. Key product lines include:
- NT26 series Cat.1 bis modules – designed for IPC, POS, smart metering, and tracking applications, with regional variants for Europe (NT26-FEU), Japan (NT26-FJP), South Korea (NT26-KCN), and China.
- UB37 / DB37 standard Wi-Fi 6 modules – tri-mode (Wi-Fi/SLE/BLE) data transmission modules with USB or SDIO interfaces, pre-certified under FCC, CE, RCM, and IC for the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- EB55 / SB26 / BT18N series Bluetooth modules – low-power BLE 5.0/6.0 modules with CE and FCC approvals, suited for smart home, metering, and consumer electronics.
- MB26-AGL NB-IoT module – ultra-low-power (PSM 1.5 µA) with Europe CE certification and EU type-examination for cybersecurity (RED 2014/53/EU).
Lierda has accumulated a total of 66 invention patents, 176 utility model patents, 55 design patents, and 530 software copyrights as of May 2025.
Application Scenarios and Verified Customer Outcomes
Lierda’s modules are deployed in several high-volume verticals:
| Vertical | Client Type | Scale | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy / Smart Metering | German Energy OEM | 19.6M+ units | Stable operation for 5-10 years; stable quality and reasonable prices earning long-term trust. |
| Telecom / Cat.1 bis market | South Korean telecom operator | 2 million units/year | Ranked #1 in the Korean Cat.1 bis market; low power consumption and wide signal coverage. |
| Smart Home / Hotel | Chinese smart home/hotel equipment ODM | 1M+ units | Easy to modify, controllable, excellent quality; stable usage over 5-10 years. |
| Home Appliances | Korean home appliance OEM | 500k units/year | 30% reduction in power consumption; 99.5% Wi-Fi connection success rate. |
| Beauty Devices | Korean beauty device OEM | 200k units over 3 years | Stable wireless connectivity; 30% power reduction; OTA update ready. |
| Industrial / Development Board | US Industry OEM | 5,000 units | Stable operation; annual repeat orders; traceable production process. |
These real-world deployments demonstrate Lierda’s ability to serve both high-volume consumer applications and industrial-scale projects across multiple geographies.
OEM/ODM Flexibility with Pre-Certified Modules
Lierda’s production capacity is designed to scale flexibly based on order requirements, with a MOQ negotiable per project. The company provides three production modes: standard product direct sales, OEM (module/PCBA customization), and ODM (logo, certification, and custom design). Quality control and testing are customised per customer specification. Export markets are served with full compliance support, leveraging pre-certifications such as FCC (US), CE-RED (EU), IC (Canada), RCM (Australia/New Zealand), TELEC and JATE (Japan).
One honest limitation is that while Lierda holds many certifications for its standard modules, certification for fully customized ODM designs may require additional time and cost depending on the target market and regulatory changes.
Market Trend Outlook
The global NB-IoT market was valued at USD 4.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 28.1% through 2030. Meanwhile, the LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT market was estimated at USD 8.0 billion in 2024, expected to reach USD 32.7 billion by 2029. Lierda’s portfolio addresses both NB-IoT and LoRa segments, positioning it to benefit from continued LPWAN expansion. The shift toward Cat.1 bis as a 2G/3G replacement, especially in China and emerging markets, provides further tailwinds for the company’s cellular module line.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What is Lierda’s MOQ for IoT modules?
- Lierda offers flexible MOQ based on project requirements for OEM, ODM, and standard product orders.
- 2. Which certifications does Lierda provide for its modules?
- Lierda modules hold FCC, CE-RED, IC, RCM, TELEC, JATE, and other regional certifications, covering the US, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. For specific product models, please consult Lierda’s sales team.
- 3. Can Lierda customize IoT modules (ODM/OEM)?
- Yes. Lierda provides ODM and OEM services for module and PCBA customization, including logo printing, firmware customisation, and certification support.
- 4. What is the typical lead time for an OEM order?
- Lead time is negotiated based on project complexity and order volume. Lierda’s flexible monthly capacity can accommodate varying schedules.
- 5. Which industries does Lierda serve with its IoT modules?
- Lierda supplies modules for smart lighting, metering (water, gas, electricity), smart travel, healthcare, automotive electronics, smart home, IPC, POS, financial payment, and industrial tracking, among others.
- 6. How does Lierda ensure product quality?
- Quality control and testing are customised per customer specifications. The factory operates under ISO-compliant processes, and Lierda holds various patents and awards including “Zhejiang Specialized and Sophisticated Enterprise.”