Singtel has successfully conducted a trial of the reduced capability (RedCap) technology on its 5G network in collaboration with Ericsson and MediaTek. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Singapore as it becomes the first to transition IoT devices from LTE to New Radio (NR).
According to Singtel, migrating to NR offers enhanced connectivity and ensures more reliable user experiences. It also unlocks the potential of 5G capabilities such as network slicing and mobile edge computing, which are crucial for the development of innovative use cases.
RedCap serves as an upgrade to the current 5G networks, specifically tailored to cater to low-power IoT devices.
The trial, which lasted for a month, took place at five separate 5G locations in Singapore. Ericsson’s RedCap platform and a MediaTek testing device were utilized during the trial.
Tay Yeow Lian, the Managing Director for networks in Singapore at Singtel, emphasized that RedCap simplifies device platforms, making them smaller and more capable. This allows for cost-effective integration into IoT devices.
Raymond Soh, the head of network solutions for Ericsson Singapore and Philippines, highlighted that RedCap will enable the introduction of new services on standalone networks. This will expand the ecosystem and create additional revenue streams in both the consumer and industrial sectors.
According to MediaTek, RedCap has the potential to reduce power consumption for end-users and the size of chipsets by 60% compared to existing 4G IoT devices. Ericsson also predicts a potential decrease in production costs for IoT devices by 50% to 70%.
