Ronald Wilting, CEO of Forefront RF, observes a trend happening worldwide: secure, cellular-enabled smartwatches for children
Across the globe, there is increasing public and regulatory attention on how and when children engage with technology. In several countries, authorities have issued guidance around mobile phone usage and social media access among younger age groups. Popular media, such as the Netflix docudrama Adolescence, have further amplified discussions around children’s digital wellbeing.
At the same time, there remains a strong need for parents to stay connected with their children for safety, wellbeing, and reassurance. This has led to rising demand for cellular-enabled smartwatches designed specifically for children — offering voice and video calling, GPS tracking, SOS alerts, and parental controls, while excluding open browsing or social media access. According to market estimates, the sector is growing at a CAGR of 27%, shaped by these evolving connectivity needs.
Take the Pebble Junior, a 4G smartwatch manufactured in China and marketed in India. It supports video and voice calling, live GPS tracking, SOS alerts, and app-based parental control, all in a simplified package with no access to social media or open browsing. Launched in November 2024, it’s one of many wearables now bridging the gap between connection and protection, offering reassurance to both parents and compliance-conscious markets.
Across Europe, a similar trend is emerging:
| Smartwatch | Country of origin | Key features | Unique selling point |
| Xplora X6 Play | Norway | 4G calling, GPS, school mode, step rewards water-resistant | Widely adopted across Europe; blends activity with connectivity in a child-safe format |
| imoo Watch Phone Z7 | Global | 4G video calling, real-time GPS tracking, geofencing, | Strong emphasis on safety and distraction-free communication |
| Vodafone Neo | UK (developed with Disney) | 4G calling, location sharing, activity tracking, app-based control | Familiar media tie-ins and tight parental control via Vodafone Smart app |
| Elisa Junior Watch | Finland (offered by Elisa) | 4G calling, GPS, SOS alerts, waterproof, bundled with Elisa SIM plan | Telecom-backed subscription model focused on simplicity and safety |
All these examples demonstrate a clear consumer preference: connectivity without content, and devices that keep children connected in a secure and controlled environment.
The hidden cost of global connectivity
Whilst the idea of a globally connected child’s smartwatch is simple, the engineering behind it is anything but. At the heart of the challenge lies the radio front-end — the part of the device responsible for handling wireless signals. Unlike baseband processors, which have steadily evolved into flexible, software-defined platforms, the RF front-end has remained rigid, built from fixed-function components.
This includes filters, duplexers, and switches, each tuned to specific frequency bands. These components are not interchangeable — and as global 4G networks have expanded, so too has the number of supported RF bands. More bands require more components, each taking up precious space in already compact devices.
Here’s a glimpse of the variation:
| Region | Common 4G bands |
| Europe | B1, B3, B7, B8, B20 B26 |
| India | B1 B3, B5, B8 B40, B41 |
| North America | B2, B4, B5, B12, B14, B26, B41 B66 |
| China | B1, B3, B5, B8 B41 |
Such variations create a significant bottleneck for manufacturers, who must often build different product variants for different regions. This not only drives up cost and complexity but also contributes to unnecessary electronic waste.
A software-defined alternative
That’s now beginning to change thanks to a new approach developed by Cambridge based fabless manufacturing company, Forefront RF. Instead of relying on a rigid chain of frequency-specific components, the company’s technology uses a software-defined system that can adapt dynamically to different regional bands and network conditions. It replaces the need for multiple fixed filters and switches with a single, programmable alternative, one that can be reconfigured in real time without redesigning the hardware.
This approach addresses one of the core limitations that has held back global connectivity in small-form-factor devices. By enabling a single design to work across multiple markets, it reduces component count, simplifies product variants, and opens the door to more scalable, environmentally sustainable manufacturing.
Conclusion
The implications are far-reaching: not only could this enable global roaming in child-focused smartwatches, but it also opens the door to more flexible design across wearables, health tech, and connected devices of all kinds. As wireless standards continue to fragment across geographies, this kind of innovation will be essential to keep pace.
Ronald is a dynamic international senior executive with proven experience of transforming early-stage technology concepts into mass-market solutions. He has held senior positions with a number of respected organisations in the semiconductor sector including Qualcomm, SemiBlocks and Ericsson and over the course of his 25-year career he has consistently achieved outstanding results.
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