Wearables upstart BLOCKS announced partnerships with US operator AT&T and EE in the UK to bring cellular connectivity to its modular smartwatch.

The company, which raised $1.2 million in financing from a Kickstarter campaign, said it was now in the process of developing a wave of modules, including one for mobile connectivity, with the goal to make its first shipments by May 2016.

Following this, BLOCKS will open up development of modules to public access, in keeping with its open software platform.

AT&T’s SVP for IoT, Chris Penrose, said bringing a dedicated wireless connection to the wearable, independent of a smartphone, provides “the ultimate freedom and flexibility”.

“BLOCKS is a great example of wearable innovation, working to provide people with a customisable smartwatch experience with an independent wireless connection through AT&T,” he added.

In the UK, the company will use the EE Connect platform, and give BLOCKS wearers access “to the fastest, largest and most reliable network in the UK”, commented Jason Bellman, director of M2M and MVNO at EE.

“Connected, wearable devices like BLOCKS are changing the way we interact with the world around us,” he said.

As part of the announcements, BLOCKS also declared its interests in the luxury smartwatch market, and said it had also teamed up with British jewellery and accessories brand Tateossian to create luxury covers for each module.