5G reduced capability – RedCap – has the potential to offer IoT devices the best of both worlds in the form of fast, if not full-5G, network speeds with 5G features such as network slicing and advanced positioning. 5G RedCap is therefore positioned to offer developers important 5G features for as much as 80% below the expense of full 5G in some use scenarios. In addition, the technology greatly reduces energy consumption in comparison to full 5G, meaning it can address a sweet spot of devices that don’t need peak 5G speeds and have power and cost constraints but can still utilize other 5G features.

5G RedCap is a compelling offering, delivering throughput of more than 220Mbps downlink and over 120Mbps uplink which, while far below full 5G’s gigabits of potential speed, is substantially more powerful than NB-IoT or Cat M1, and comparable to more advanced 4G standards. It provides significant enhancements over LTE for example, with much reduced latency over 4G networks, enabling use cases which rely on near real-time data communication.

With research firm Omdia reporting that mass adoption of 5G RedCap is starting in 2024, the technology has already established itself as a mid-tier connectivity solution for 5G devices that do not require high specifications such as ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB). 5G RedCap will also be essential to help future-proof devices as the industry copes with the eventual phase-out of 4G after 2030. This makes it particularly applicable to devices that have long expected lifecycles.

Omdia’s predictions are borne out by Counterpoint Research, which predicts 5G RedCap modules will constitute 18% of total cellular IoT module shipments by 2030. The firm says this is indicative of the significant market potential of RedCap, especially for developing nations where cost is the critical factor in driving digital transformation and adoption of new technology. In essence, RedCap delivers an alternative to LTE and LPWA networks that combines a blend of speed, reliability and affordability to support IoT and other devices into the next decade and beyond.

Key use cases for the technology include RedCap-enabled wearables for health monitoring and other applications, as well as low-cost wireless sensors for industrial data collection and asset-tracking. Routers and customer premises equipment (CPE), mass-market automotive, point of sale and telematics devices are also seen as the main initial adoption areas for RedCap.

The main characteristics of RedCap, including an overview of the technology and the standard itself have been detailed in a recent Quectel Masterclass. The Masterclass,  ‘5G RedCap: an overview’ was presented by Igor Cernjava,  5G and LTE-A Product Manager, EMEA, at Quectel and Lukasz Olszewski, FAE for the DACH region at Quectel. The speakers shared information on Quectel’s 5G RedCap module portfolio, the Quectel RedCap evaluation kit and how to use it effectively. In addition, the Masterclass shares information on tools and important AT commands for RedCap developers.

View the Masterclass: 5G RedCap: an overview