Global cellular IoT module shipments rise 11% in Q2 2026

Global cellular IoT module shipments grew by 11% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. This growth was primarily driven by 4G Cat 1 bis technology, which accounted for more than half of all global shipments for the first time.

The adoption of 4G Cat 1 bis is being fueled by competitive pricing and sufficient bandwidth, making it a preferred alternative to 5G for applications like smart meters and point-of-sale (POS) terminals. In India, the technology has seen massive adoption, representing over 80% of total module shipments in Q2 2026.

In terms of market share, Quectel maintained its global leadership, increasing its share from 35% to 41% compared to the previous year. While Quectel saw negative growth in North America due to geopolitical pressures, it remained strong in other regions. China Mobile also saw its market share grow to 18% in China. Outside of China, Telit Cinterion emerged as the leading international vendor, seeing double-digit growth driven by gains in Europe and North America.