5G RedCap: Bridging the Gap in Modern Connectivity

By Rolla Hassan, Ph.D

Introduction

 5G RedCap is 5G NR-Light, and 5G RedCap stands for 5G Reduced Capability. It was introduced to fill the gaps between high-speed enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and low-throughput, battery-efficient, massive machine-type communications technologies. Essentially, it connects various 5G capabilities to cover application shortfalls.

Advantages of 5G Redcap

• Higher peak data rates: 5G RedCap supports significantly higher peak data rates, making it well-suited to applications requiring greater data throughput, such as video surveillance or smart grid monitoring.
• Lower latency: 5G RedCap provides lower latency and better reliability than existing low-power wide-area LTE technologies like narrowband IoT (NB-IoT).
• New spectrum: RedCap devices can use new 5G-specific spectrum bands.

How does 5G Redcap enhance power efficiency?

• 5G RedCap supports only one transmit antenna and up to two receiving antennas, simplifying the structure and reducing power consumption compared with complex MIMO implementations
• 5G RedCap devices require a maximum bandwidth of only 20 MHz, compared with 5G devices needing 100 MHz channels
• RedCap does not require support for carrier aggregation and operates on one frequency band at a time
• Support for fewer frequency bands

Redcap supports only standalone 5G networks. The first 5G RedCap chipsets will be available in 2023 and 2024.

What are the differences between 5G RedCap, LTE-M, and NB-IoT?

Comparison table highlighting the differences between 5G RedCap, LTE-M, and NB-IoT.

 5G RedCap Frequency Arrangements

Global status of 5G RedCap deployment

In China, the three major operators already launched the technology in 2023.

Chipsets with 5G RedCap capabilities

• Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X35 Modem-RF System 
• MediaTek’s T300 series.

Devices with 5G RedCap capabilities

Data sources: 

GSA Hot Topic 5G RedCap, May 2024

Analysys Mason, To maximise the 5G RedCap opportunity, vendors and operators must focus on use cases and ecosystem support  

Ericsson Mobility Report November 2023

Ericsson RedCap – expanding the 5G device ecosystem for consumers and industries, February 2023

Telenor IoT, connectivity technologies for IoT 2023