BT Collaborates with Nokia and MediaTek for Groundbreaking 5G RedCap Trial

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BT, one of the leading UK operator groups, has joined forces with Nokia and MediaTek to embark on an innovative trial of 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap), aimed at unlocking new possibilities for Internet of Things (IoT) use cases. The trial, conducted at BT's Adastral Park research center, utilized EE's 5G Standalone (SA) network, Nokia's AirScale RAN solutions, and MediaTek's RedCap testing platform.

The primary objective of the trial was to gather valuable insights that will shape the design and launch of RedCap services for both consumer and business customers of EE, BT's mobile division. RedCap, introduced in 3GPP Release 17, represents a streamlined version of 5G New Radio (NR) specifically tailored for devices that require faster and more responsive connectivity than LTE-M, NB-IoT, or 4G, without demanding ultra-high throughput or ultra-low latency.

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The utilization of RedCap technology offers numerous advantages, including simplified and cost-effective production of RedCap modems, lower power consumption, and support for advanced 5G features such as slicing, edge networking, and ultra-reliable, low latency communication (URLLC). This opens up exciting prospects for a wide range of IoT applications, including wearables, industrial networking, medical devices, and video surveillance.

By enabling RedCap connectivity for these devices, BT envisions a significant shift from reliance on local networking technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to cellular connectivity. Counterpoint Research predicts that by 2030, 5G RedCap will account for 18% of global cellular IoT module shipments, while Transforma Insights estimates that the number of IoT connections based on 5G non-massive machine-type communications technology, which encompasses RedCap, will reach 490 million by 2030 and grow to 810 million by 2032.

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Nokia UK and Ireland CEO, Phil Siveter, expressed confidence in the potential of RedCap, stating, "The introduction of RedCap will unlock new 5G opportunities for many industries, with potentially billions of new devices connected with 5G." He further affirmed that Nokia's 5G standalone networks are fully equipped to support RedCap devices, as demonstrated by the successful field tests conducted in collaboration with BT.

Notably, Huawei has also made strides in RedCap deployment, with its end-to-end solutions being commercially deployed by major Chinese operators in various sectors. Additionally, Ericsson and MediaTek have successfully tested RedCap software in Malaysia's 5G network, showcasing its potential for enhanced connectivity across consumer wearables and industrial sensors.

As BT, Nokia, and MediaTek push the boundaries of 5G RedCap technology, the industry eagerly awaits the realization of its revenue-generating potential. The collaboration between these industry leaders signifies a significant step forward in harnessing the power of 5G for the IoT ecosystem, promising a wave of innovation and growth in the years to come.