Qualcomm Unveils the 315 5G IoT Modem—Compact, Low‑Power, and Ready for Industrial IoT

Qualcomm Technologies today announced the Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem‑RF system, the company’s first purpose‑built 5G solution designed specifically for industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications.

In a launch briefing, Vieri Vanghi, Vice‑President of Product Management, highlighted three core strengths of the chipset: low power consumption, superior thermal efficiency, and a significantly smaller footprint than existing 5G modules. These attributes are essential for creating flexible, wireless factories that can be reconfigured on demand.

The 315 modem supports global 5G NR sub‑6 GHz bands and operates in stand‑alone (SA) mode, with an optional LTE fallback for coverage flexibility. It can be deployed on private or public 5G networks, leveraging network slicing or isolated connectivity, and integrates seamlessly with existing Ethernet and wired infrastructure.

Built on a highly integrated RF front‑end, the module offers a pin‑to‑pin interface that matches current LTE legacy modules. This design allows OEMs to upgrade from LTE to 5G with minimal hardware changes, reducing development time and cost while extending device lifespan through long‑term software and hardware support.

Key markets for the 315 include retail, energy, automation, manufacturing, precision agriculture, construction, mining, and public venues. The module’s gigabit‑class performance, low‑power profile, and thermal efficiency make it a fit for the most demanding industrial environments.

Smaller Footprint, Bigger Impact

Vanghi emphasized the importance of size: “We achieve up to a 50% reduction in footprint compared to existing mmWave‑based 5G chipsets. This allows 5G modules to match the dimensions of current LTE modules, simplifying integration and accelerating the transition to 5G.”

Jeffery Torrance, Senior Vice President of Product Management, added, “Our 5G IoT solution will accelerate Industry 4.0 by enabling long‑lasting, high‑performance devices that can migrate smoothly from LTE to 5G.”

Initial rollout targets China and Europe, where 5G stand‑alone deployments are gaining traction. Qualcomm has already supplied samples to major partners such as Bosch, Fibocom, HMS, MeiG, Quectel, Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Telit.

Industry‑Leading Partners Leveraging the 315

On the same day, Quectel announced the RG500S and RM500S 5G NR module series, both based on the Qualcomm 315. The RM500S is pin‑to‑pin compatible with Quectel’s LTE Cat 4/6/12/16 modules and its 5G RM500Q, offering a rapid path to 5G for industrial, retail, smart‑energy, and private‑network use cases.

Telit’s Vice President of 5G Products, Marco Contento, noted, “The 315 provides a future‑proof bridge to 5G Release 16, opening new possibilities in energy distribution, smart grids, and industrial automation.”

HMS Networks’ development manager, Jens Jakobsen, highlighted the module’s impact on industrial automation: “Our first commercial 5G router leverages Qualcomm’s 5G technology, and the 315’s compact form factor unlocks new use cases across automation and control.”

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