Snapping Into the Future: Why the Telit FN980 is a Game-Changer for Industrial 5G

The world is hurtling towards ubiquitous 5G, and it’s not just about faster movie downloads on your phone. For industries, 5G means a revolution: smarter factories, ultra-reliable communication for critical infrastructure, and a wave of innovation in how businesses operate. One of the key enablers of this transformation is the Telit Cinterion FN980 5G module—a compact, high-performance powerhouse built for enterprise-grade applications.

What is the Telit FN980?

The Telit FN980 is a 5G data card engineered for secure, high-speed cellular connectivity. Based on the 3GPP Release 15 standard, it supports both Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) modes, ensuring future-proof deployment. Its Sub-6 GHz coverage spans key global 5G bands, while offering full fallback to Cat.20 LTE and 3G HSPA+.

Why it matters:For customers of Round Solutions, the FN980 delivers industrial-grade performance with global certification—ideal for demanding applications such as private 5G for Industry 4.0, tactical edge gateways, and real-time sensor control in harsh environments.

Inside the FN980: Specs that Power Performance

• Form factor: M.2 3050-D2-B (30 x 50 x 3.4 mm)
• Modem: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System
• Interfaces: PCIe Gen3, USB 3.1 Gen2
• MIMO: 4x4 for Sub-6 GHz (LTE/5G)
• Operating Temp: -40°C to +85°C (industry standard)

This form factor, modem, and temperature tolerance make it a go-to choice for embedded use cases in industrial gateways, robotics, smart energy, and more.

FN980 vs. FN980m – Know the Difference

• FN980: Sub-6 GHz, 4x4 MIMO, Global LTE fallback
• FN980m: Adds mmWave support for ultra-high throughput (up to 5.5 Gbps)

Use case guidance:Round Solutions recommends the FN980 for most enterprise and industrial deployments, while the FN980m suits urban FWA, broadcast, and ultra-HD streaming environments.

Real-World Use Cases

• Industrial IoT: Low-latency remote machine control and AGV networking.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Fast, reliable broadband in underserved regions.
• Broadcasting: Real-time 4K video uplinks.
• Enterprise SD-WAN: Global, secure, and redundant WAN links.
• Edge AI: Seamless integration with platforms like NVIDIA Jetson.

Antenna Support & GNSS Capabilities

The FN980 uses four MHF4 connectors for 5G and a separate GNSS connector (dual-band L1/L5). Paired with rugged, high-gain Sunnyway-IoT antennas from Round Solutions, deployments benefit from optimal performance even in extreme conditions.

Certified for Global Rollout

With CE, FCC, GCF, PTCRB, Verizon, and AT&T approvals, the FN980 accelerates time to market. Round Solutions ensures that every certified module is paired with compatible, reliable accessories and support.

Ecosystem & ODM Services

Round Solutions offers a full ecosystem:

• Rugged antennas from Sunnyway-IoT
• Edge gateways (IO-GATE platform)
• Global SIM cards with local IMSI switching
• ODM services for custom integrations

Their technical team supports everything from antenna matching to full system architecture.

Why Choose the FN980 with Round Solutions

• Industrial reliability across extreme conditions
• Sub-6 GHz + mmWave options for broad use cases
• Certified and secure for global deployment
• Full-stack integration including antennas, SIMs, gateways, and consulting

Founded 1999 in Germany, we are a leading developer of IoT gateways & ODM services and Telit Cinterion's oldest, most trusted and licensed distributor. Round Solutions is proud to announce its partnership with Sunnyway-iot, the leading manufacturer of high-performance IoT antennas in China. This collaboration allows us to offer an expanded range of reliable and innovative antenna solutions tailored to meet the demands of European industries, including automotive, industrial IoT, and smart city applications. Together, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge technology that enables seamless connectivity and drives the future of IoT in Europe.

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