Modem Express

What Modem Express does

Modem Express, Inc. is a privately held value-added distributor and reseller of data communication equipment, headquartered in a 12,000-square-foot facility in Monticello, Minnesota. Founded in 1987, the company operates a dual-sided business: stocking more than 15,000 new and refurbished SKUs spanning legacy 'End of Life' and modern cellular equipment, and providing in-house repair services with a 90-day warranty. Its inventory spans modems, multiplexers, routers, DSU/CSUs, T1 equipment, antennas, and signal boosters from a broad set of brands including Hayes (whose service center it acquired in 1999), Motorola/UDS, Paradyne, Racal Milgo, US Robotics, Adtran, Multi-Tech Systems, Semtech AirLink, Peplink, Airgain, Cel-Fi by Nextivity, and Option CloudGate.

The company's portfolio is anchored by authorized distribution partnerships — most notably a Multi-Tech Systems relationship dating to 1995 — and increasingly supplemented with next-generation 5G RedCap and enterprise cellular routers (Semtech AirLink XR/EX/RX series, Peplink industrial routers). Its legacy equipment depth, including proprietary assets acquired from the Hayes Service Center (spare parts, test stations, and the Hayes.com domain), positions it as a scarce source for organizations maintaining aging data communication infrastructure. Customer segments include legacy system operators, industrial IoT/M2M deployers, and public safety/fleet communications buyers.

Modem Express generates revenue through unit-priced hardware sales (ranging from $12 accessories to $3,199 enterprise routers) and professional repair services, distributed via a BigCommerce e-commerce storefront, phone sales (800-736-4107), and email. The business is operated without external funding, parent company, or disclosed leadership beyond the founder/owner; it holds a BBB A+ accreditation and continues to serve US-based enterprise customers from a single Monticello distribution point.

Name

Modem Express

Legal name

Modem Express, Inc.

Website

https://modemexpress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Modem Express, Inc. is a Minnesota-based value-added distributor and in-house repair provider of new and refurbished data communication equipment — modems, routers, antennas, multiplexers, and legacy 'End of Life' gear — serving US legacy-system operators, industrial IoT buyers, and public safety/fleet customers via e-commerce and direct sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Data Communication Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)

akta.pro primary industry

Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband) (HDAIABAI)

Keywords

• Data communication equipment
• Cellular routers gateways
• Wireless modems antennas
• Signal boosters distribution
• Legacy modem equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Monticello

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of new and refurbished data communication equipment including modems, routers, gateways, antennas, multiplexers, and accessories from multiple manufacturer brands. Both new and 'End of Life' legacy equipment available.
2. Repair Services: In-house repair services for data communication equipment backed by 90-day warranty. Covers modems, DSU/CSU's, multiplexers, power supplies, and T1 equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Modem Express is an authorized stocking distributor and reseller of new and refurbished data communication equipment, including modems, cellular routers, gateways, multiplexers, DSU/CSU units, T1 equipment, antennas, and signal boosters from brands such as MultiTech, Semtech AirLink, Peplink, Airgain, and Cel-Fi. The company also operates an in-house repair service for data communication equipment backed by a 90-day warranty, with technical staff holding over 40 years of combined repair experience.

Product overview

Modem Express is a value-added distributor and reseller specializing in new and refurbished data communication equipment. The portfolio is organized as multiple product categories: Semtech AirLink routers and gateways (XR90, XR80, XR60, MG90, MP70, RX55, RV55, RV50X, LX60, LX40, EX400) for enterprise and industrial 4G/5G connectivity; MultiTech wireless modems including the rCell 500/300 Series and MultiConnect Cell 100 Series for M2M and IoT applications; Peplink industrial routers and network bonding solutions; Airgain Antenna+ antennas for mobile, fleet, and IoT use; Cel-Fi and SureCall signal boosters; Option CloudGate wireless modems; and a comprehensive range of legacy modems and multiplexers from brands like Hayes, Motorola, Paradyne, and US Robotics. The company also provides in-house repair services for data communication equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Semtech AirLink Routers & Gateways Enterprise-grade cellular routers and gateways supporting 4G LTE, 5G, and 5G RedCap technologies for public safety, transit, industrial IoT, and fixed wireless applications. Includes XR90, XR80, XR60, MG90, MP70, RX55, RV55, RV50X, LX60, LX40, and EX400 models.
• MultiTech MultiConnect rCell 500 Series
• MultiTech rCell 300 Series
• MultiTech MultiConnect Cell 100 Series
• AirgainConnect AC-HPUE
• Airgain Mobile Fleet/Public Safety Antennas
• Airgain M2M and IoT Antennas
• Peplink Routers & Network Solutions
• Cel-Fi by Nextivity Signal Boosters
• SureCall Signal Boosters
• Option CloudGate Wireless Modems
• Equipment Repair Services In-house repair services for data communication equipment including modems (external, internal, rackmount, laptop, PCMCIA), DSU/CSUs, multiplexers, power supplies, and T1 equipment, backed by 40+ years combined technical repair experience and a 90-day warranty.
• Legacy Modems & Multiplexers

Quantifiable outcome

• 90-day warranty on all in-house repairs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Multi-Tech Systems Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary distribution partnership established in 1995. Modem Express is one of the top distributors in Minnesota for Multi-Tech Systems Inc., a Moundsview Minnesota company manufacturing Data Communications and Wireless Products. Expanded in recent years to become a stocking distributor for wireless modems including CDMA, GPRS, EDGE, iCell and rCell modems.
• Sierra Wireless AirLinkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Semtech AirLink (formerly Sierra Wireless) routers and gateways including XR90, XR80, XR60, MG90, MP70, RX55, RV55, RV50X, LX60, and LX40 series.
• AirgainmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Airgain Antenna+ products including AIRGAINCONNECT AC-HPUE, mobile fleet/public safety antennas, and M2M/IoT antennas.
• PeplinkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Peplink products including Balance Series, MAX industrial routers, SpeedFusion Engine, FusionHub, and SD Switch.
• SemtechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Semtech AirLink routers and gateways, including latest 5G RedCap routers (EX400, RX400) and XR series.
• Cel-Fi by NextivitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Cel-Fi signal boosters including COMPASS XR, GO G41, GO G43, and related antennas.
• Option CloudGatemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Option CloudGate wireless modems and accessories.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB)minorOthersBBB Accredited Business with A+ rating.
• HayesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 1999, Modem Express acquired the Hayes Service Center including spare parts, test stations, and most of the inventory of modems. Also acquired Hayes.com and Practical.com web domains, enabling continued support for legacy Hayes equipment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Multi-Tech Systems: Multi-Tech Systems manufactures the data communication and wireless modems/routers that Modem Express has distributed since 1995. It is a direct comparable because it sells overlapping cellular router and modem product lines (rCell, MultiConnect) into the same M2M/IoT and enterprise customer base, both through direct sales and through distributors like Modem Express.
• Digi International: Digi International is a manufacturer of cellular routers, gateways, and embedded modules (Digi IX, Digi Remote Manager) sold to industrial IoT, fleet, and enterprise customers. Directly comparable to Modem Express because both supply 4G/5G cellular edge devices and supporting connectivity hardware to overlapping industrial and IoT buyer segments.
• Advantech (B+B SmartWorx): Advantech, including its B+B SmartWorx line, manufactures industrial cellular routers, media converters, and serial-to-Ethernet devices for M2M and industrial IoT. Comparable to Modem Express because it addresses the same industrial connectivity buyer with ruggedized cellular routers and accessories that overlap with the MultiTech, Semtech, and Peplink lines carried by Modem Express.
• Black Box Network Services: Black Box is a network infrastructure specialist selling routers, media converters, and connectivity hardware to enterprise and industrial customers. Comparable to Modem Express because both target similar communications buyers and overlap on legacy and current-generation data communication equipment, though Black Box is larger and more services-oriented.
• Cradlepoint (Ericsson): Cradlepoint, now part of Ericsson, is a leading manufacturer of 4G/5G wireless edge routers sold into enterprise branch, public safety, and IoT use cases—mirroring the Semtech AirLink and Peplink lines Modem Express distributes. Comparable as a vendor of overlapping cellular router solutions targeting the same fleet, public safety, and enterprise WAN customers.
• ScanSource: ScanSource is a value-added distributor of communications, IoT, and networking equipment (including cellular routers, gateways, and connectivity products). Directly comparable to Modem Express because both serve resellers and end customers needing cellular/fixed-line data communication hardware from brands like Sierra Wireless/Semtech and Peplink, though ScanSource operates at significantly greater scale and breadth.
• Peplink (Pepwave): Peplink designs and sells industrial 4G/5G routers, SD-WAN devices, and SpeedFusion bonding technology that Modem Express distributes. Directly comparable because both reach overlapping enterprise, fleet, and public-safety buyers with cellular WAN hardware, with Peplink selling direct and through resellers like Modem Express.

Broad incumbents

• TD SYNNEX: TD SYNNEX (formed from Tech Data and SYNNEX) is one of the largest global IT distributors, carrying networking, communications, and IoT hardware. Comparable as a competing distribution channel for many of the same vendor lines Modem Express carries, but at dramatically larger scale and geographic reach.
• Ingram Micro: Ingram Micro is a global IT and communications distributor offering networking, mobility, and IoT product categories. Comparable to Modem Express as a broader-line competitor in the same resale and distribution channel, with much greater scale, multi-country warehousing, and enterprise procurement capabilities.
• CDW: CDW is a large multi-category IT and networking reseller serving enterprise and public-sector buyers. Comparable to Modem Express as a competing channel for routers, gateways, and connectivity hardware, but with vastly broader catalog, larger contract vehicles, and national account coverage that Modem Express does not match.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Modem Express