AT&T achieves an industry-first 5G RedCap data connection, ushering in a new era for IoT devices with enhanced functionality and energy efficiency.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has rapidly transitioned from a mere concept to a fundamental part of our daily lives, with smart devices and connected appliances becoming ubiquitous. AT&T, a pioneer in IoT, has been at the forefront of bringing this interconnected world to reality. Recently, the company achieved another significant milestone with the first 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) data call, a crucial step forward in empowering the growth of IoT.
IoT devices have evolved alongside mobile communication technologies, with each generation bringing improvements in speed, capacity, and functionality. 5G RedCap, introduced with 3GPP Release 17, is tailored for wearables, low-cost hotspots, and other small form factor IoT devices. It offers a reduced set of 5G capabilities, providing equivalent or better performance compared to LTE CAT-4, with up to 150Mbps theoretical maximum downlink throughput.
The beauty of 5G RedCap lies in its ability to bring 5G features to devices that do not require the full capacity of standard 5G NR. It caters to lower-cost, lower-complexity IoT devices while delivering higher bandwidth and lower latency capabilities than LTE-M, a previous IoT connectivity standard.
By offering a maximum bandwidth of 20MHz with a single carrier, 5G RedCap enables simpler and smaller antenna designs. This is particularly advantageous for space-constrained devices, such as wearables and IoT gadgets, where complex antenna configurations are often impractical.
AT&T collaborated closely with Nokia and MediaTek to successfully test 5G RedCap on MediaTek's RedCap platform connected to AT&T's 5G Standalone (SA) network built with Nokia AirScale. This achievement marks the industry-first 5G RedCap data call in the United States. The successful test has paved the way for the development of 5G RedCap devices, expected to enter the market in the coming years.
5G RedCap not only enhances functionality but also introduces energy-saving features, similar to those previously available to LPWA LTE-M devices. One such feature, eDRX (Extended Discontinuous Reception), allows devices to "sleep" for longer periods, conserving power. This is particularly beneficial for IoT devices that may have long idle periods before needing to communicate with the network.
AT&T is committed to working with the industry to introduce additional advanced 3GPP power-saving features for 5G RedCap, further boosting energy efficiency and extending device battery life.
5G RedCap is a pivotal step in 5G's continued evolution, expanding and revolutionizing the 5G device ecosystem. It bridges the gap between LTE-M and full feature 5G NR devices, catering to mid-tier IoT use cases that require higher bandwidth and lower latency capabilities. As a result, IoT devices in various industries, such as healthcare, asset tracking, smart home systems, and fleet management, will benefit from enhanced performance and energy efficiency.
With AT&T's groundbreaking achievement in 5G RedCap, the future of IoT is poised to witness unprecedented growth and innovation. As the Internet of Things becomes an even more integral part of our daily lives, the advancements in 5G technology will drive the development of next-generation IoT devices with enhanced capabilities and energy efficiency.
So, get ready to embrace the next phase of IoT, where seamless connectivity and smart devices will redefine how we interact with the world around us. 5G RedCap has set the stage for a new era of IoT possibilities, bringing us closer to a smarter and more connected future.
