Nokia, BT, and MediaTek have successfully concluded trials of 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology. The trials, conducted at BT Group’s Adastral Park site, are a step forward in simplifying and advancing connectivity for IoT devices.
RedCap was introduced in 3GPP Release 17 and addresses a critical challenge faced by IoT devices – the complexity and power consumption of current 5G devices.
Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT, said:
“This trial with Nokia demonstrates the potential of RedCap technology in unlocking a new wave of innovation within the 5G services ecosystem.
This is especially the case as we move towards the arrival of 5G SA, bringing with it enhanced reliability, responsiveness, security, and speed which – through 5G RedCap – promises to benefit a host of new IoT devices and use cases.”
By focusing on small IoT devices such as wearables, health trackers, ruggedised routers, and various monitoring sensors, RedCap ensures these devices maintain optimal performance while significantly reducing costs and power consumption.
Robert Moffat, Deputy Director (Europe) Mobile Business Development at MediaTek, commented:
“Our collaboration with Nokia and BT Group for this trial of 5G RedCap technology aligns with MediaTek’s commitment to driving innovation and expanding the potential of 5G SA to include a wider ecosystem of devices and use cases.”
Nokia’s AirScale RAN portfolio, in conjunction with EE’s 5G Standalone network and MediaTek’s RedCap testing platform, formed the backbone of these transformative trials. The result is a streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective solution tailored specifically for the IoT ecosystem.
Phil Siveter, CEO (UK and Ireland) at Nokia, commented:
“The introduction of RedCap will unlock new 5G opportunities for many industries, with potentially billions of new devices connected with 5G.
Our field tests with BT Group show that Nokia 5G Standalone networks are ready to support RedCap devices.”
RedCap signifies a paradigm shift in the IoT industry. The technology is set to help redefine how we interact with the IoT devices that have become integral parts of our daily lives.
(Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash)
See also: Eseye: ‘Sub-standard connectivity’ is jeopardising IoT success
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