What Altair Semiconductor does

Altair Semiconductor is an Israeli fabless semiconductor company founded in 2005 that designs ultra-low power cellular IoT chipsets and systems-on-chips (SoCs). Its product portfolio centers on the ALT1250 (dual-mode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem with 2G fallback), ALT1255 (cost-optimized NB-IoT modem), and ALT1350 (next-generation 5G LPWA SoC integrating cellular, satellite NTN, and unlicensed subGHz connectivity such as Wi-SUN FAN in a single chip), with the ALT1550 5G eRedCap modem in advanced silicon testing for Release 18 compliance. Core technology differentiators include hardware-based security, an integrated SIM (iSIM) certified by tier-1 MNOs such as AT&T and LGU+, a OneSKU global frequency platform, and ultra-low power architecture validated in commercial deployments delivering 10+ years of battery life in Japanese smart gas meters.

The company operates a B2B go-to-market model, selling silicon directly to module vendors and OEMs — notably Sierra Wireless, Semtech, Murata, Quectel, and Taoglas — which integrate Altair chips into modules distributed globally. End applications span smart metering (electricity, gas, water), mHealth and wearables (e.g., Murata CPAP, Wellvii blood pressure monitor, F3 Wireless FDA-cleared migraine device), asset tracking and logistics (Sensos smart labels, PassTime GPS locators, 701x livestock ear tags), and smart city infrastructure. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated through direct B2B engagement; the company reports approximately $80 million in recurring 2025 revenue.

In April 2026, Altair completed its spinoff from Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (which had acquired it in 2016 for approximately $212 million) and became an independent private company with $50 million in initial funding led by Pitango Group, with Sony retaining a shareholder stake. The newly independent company is led by CEO Nohik Semel and is positioning itself around IoT and Physical AI markets, leveraging its established module-vendor ecosystem, 3GPP standards participation, and multi-connectivity roadmap spanning terrestrial cellular, satellite NTN, and unlicensed subGHz bands.

Name

Altair Semiconductor

Legal name

Altair Semiconductor Ltd.

Website

https://altairsemi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Altair Semiconductor is an Israeli fabless chip company designing ultra-low power cellular IoT modems and SoCs (LTE-M, NB-IoT, and upcoming 5G eRedCap). It sells through module vendor partners serving smart metering, healthcare, asset tracking, and smart city customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cellular IoT Semiconductors

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile & Wireless Connectivity SoCs (Modem/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/GNSS) (HDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

UWB, NFC & Short-Range Connectivity ICs (HDAHAMAI)

Keywords

• Cellular IoT chipsets
• LTE-M NB-IoT modems
• Low-power semiconductors
• Wireless LPWA SoCs
• 5G eRedCap modems

Headquarters

HQ city

Hod Hasharon

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Cellular IoT Chipsets and SoC Sales: Altair generates revenue primarily through the sale of its cellular IoT chipsets and SoCs to module vendors and OEMs who incorporate them into their products. The company sold millions of chipsets commercially deployed on advanced LTE networks worldwide. In 2025, the company generated approximately $80 million in recurring revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Altair Semiconductor designs and sells highly integrated, ultra-low power cellular IoT chipsets and SoCs (ALT1250, ALT1255, ALT1350, and upcoming ALT1550) for module vendors and OEMs building battery-powered LTE-M, NB-IoT, and 5G eRedCap devices. Its chips combine modem, MCU, integrated SIM (iSIM), GNSS, and multi-connectivity (cellular + satellite NTN + subGHz) on a single die for smart metering, asset tracking, mHealth, wearables, and smart city applications.

Product overview

Altair Semiconductor is a cellular IoT chipset provider offering a portfolio of low-power wireless solutions. The product line centers on three main chipsets/modem families: the ALT1350 (flagship 5G LPWA SoC with cellular, satellite NTN, and subGHz multi-connectivity), the ALT1250 (dual-mode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem with 2G fallback and iSIM), and the ALT1255 (cost-optimized NB-IoT modem). The upcoming ALT1550 represents the next-generation 5G eRedCap modem. All chipsets feature ultra-low power consumption, hardware-based security, and integrated SIM (iSIM) technology, with the OneSKU platform enabling a single hardware design across global frequency bands. The company operates as a semiconductor IP/licensing provider, with module ecosystem partners (Sierra Wireless, Semtech, Quectel, Murata) building end-user modules around these chipsets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ALT1350 Wireless LPWA SoC Next-generation 5G LPWA IoT chipset that integrates cellular (LTE-M/NB-IoT), satellite (NTN), and unlicensed subGHz connectivity (e.g., Wi-SUN FAN) into a single SoC. Targets module vendors and OEMs building ultra-low power IoT devices for smart metering, asset tracking, wearables, and smart city applications.
• ALT1250 LTE-M & NB-IoT Modem

Quantifiable outcome

• 10+ years of battery life for smart gas meters in commercial deployments in Japan
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Semtech CorporationflagshipTechnology or IntegrationSemtech partnered with Altair to develop the HL7900 global 5G LPWA module featuring the Sony ALT1350 chipset. This partnership builds on a decade-long collaboration that began with the ALT1250 inside Sierra Wireless HL78 modules. Semtech provides end-to-end IoT solutions including connectivity, eSIM, cloud platform (AirVantage), and FOTA services. Together they have supported millions of deployments in the field.
• Skylo TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationAltair partnered with Skylo and Murata to deliver the first 5G-ready NB-IoT over satellite connectivity. Skylo's satellite network provides NTN connectivity as a fallback to terrestrial cellular, enabling truly global coverage for IoT devices powered by Altair chipsets. The partnership enables automatic switching between cellular and satellite connectivity without hardware changes.
• Giesecke+Devrient (G+D)coreTechnology or IntegrationG+D developed a highly secure SIM operating system for Altair's integrated SIM (iSIM) technology. G+D's SIM software runs on an isolated hardware secure element integrated inside the Altair chip. The partnership enables commercial iSIM deployments since 2021, with solutions certified by multiple global Tier-1 MNOs including AT&T and LGU+. The iSIM has been commercially deployed globally including markets requiring in-country personalization such as India.
• Sierra WirelessflagshipTechnology or IntegrationSierra Wireless partnered with Altair to embed Altair chipsets (ALT1250) into the AirPrime HL78 module family, which has been in the market for over 5 years with millions of deployments. Sierra Wireless provides cellular modules with embedded SIM cards and end-to-end IoT connectivity solutions. The collaboration has enabled best-in-class LPWA module performance with exceptionally low power consumption.
• Quectel Wireless SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationQuectel partnered with Altair to develop the BG950S module powered by the ALT1350 chipset. The module combines LTE-M/NB-IoT connectivity with GNSS, Wi-Fi positioning, and low-power sensor hub in an ultra-compact form factor (23.6mm x 19.9mm x 2.2mm) for wearables, asset trackers, smart meters, and industrial IoT applications.
• Sierra Wireless (for Japan Smart Gas)coreTechnology or IntegrationAltair teamed up with Sierra Wireless to develop cellular solutions for Japan's smart gas metering program. The AirPrime HL78 module featuring Altair's ALT1250 chipset was selected to provide CAT-M connectivity for LP gas meters in Japan. As the only solution meeting ultra-low power requirements, Altair chipsets now provide connectivity for all cellular-connected smart gas metering projects in Japan.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sequans Communications: Pure-play fabless designer of LTE-M/NB-IoT chipsets (Monarch platform) directly competing with Altair in cellular IoT silicon for modules, asset trackers, and smart meters.
• u-blox: Swiss fabless/module provider of cellular (LTE-M/NB-IoT) and GNSS modules; while u-blox also sells modules, its chipset-level positioning makes it a comparable cellular IoT silicon/technology peer.
• Nordic Semiconductor: Fabless semiconductor company offering LTE-M/NB-IoT connectivity (nRF91 series) and short-range wireless SoCs, competing with Altair in low-power cellular IoT for wearables and asset tracking.
• ASR Microelectronics: China-based fabless semiconductor company specializing in cellular IoT and short-range connectivity chips (NB-IoT, LTE-M), competing directly with Altair in modules targeting smart metering and tracking.

Broad incumbents

• Qualcomm: Diversified mobile connectivity giant offering LTE-M/NB-IoT modems (Qualcomm 9205/212) as part of a broad modem portfolio, competing across cellular IoT price tiers with greater scale than Altair.
• MediaTek: Broad mobile and connectivity chipset vendor offering LTE Cat-M/NB-IoT solutions alongside its smartphone SoC portfolio, presenting scaled competition in cellular IoT modules.
• Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Former parent of Altair and a broad semiconductor and image sensor giant; retains a shareholder stake and competes in adjacent IoT image sensor/processor markets that intersect with cellular IoT endpoints.
• UNISOC: Chinese fabless semiconductor company offering LTE-M/NB-IoT chipsets as part of a broad mobile and IoT modem portfolio, particularly strong in Asia where Altair also competes.

Others

• Semtech: Owns Sierra Wireless and produces HL7900 5G LPWA modules built around Altair silicon; while a flagship customer, Semtech also invests in LoRa, making it an adjacent enabling player in the IoT connectivity ecosystem.
• Murata: Major Japanese module manufacturer integrating Altair chipsets (1SC, Type 1SC) into cellular IoT modules; functions as both customer and adjacent ecosystem participant in low-power wireless modules.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AltairSemi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/38410

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Altair Semiconductor