Singapore Telecom is the first to successfully test 5G RedCap technology for IoT devices

Singapore Telecom announced that the company has partnered with Ericsson and MediaTek to successfully complete Singapore’s first experiment in reducing capacity technology on a real-time 5G network. This is the next development in 5G wireless technology, also known as RedCap. RedCap is specifically designed to support intermediate layer Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smartwatches and industrial sensors.

RedCap technology provides lower data flow and reliable connectivity for IoT devices, thereby reducing power consumption and significantly improving device battery life. With this technology, enterprises can solve the challenges of replacing batteries in IoT devices, especially in remote areas and the high production costs of equipment. According to MediaTek’s 5G RedCap modem report, RedCap is estimated to reduce end-users’ power consumption and chipset printed circuit board (PCB) area by 60% compared to existing 4G IoT devices. Further research by Ericsson also suggests that RedCap is expected to reduce the production costs of manufacturers’ IoT devices by 50% to 70%.
Mr. Tay Yeow Lian, General Manager (Network) of Singapore Telecom, stated: “The successful completion of this experiment is an important step forward for the telecommunications industry. With the help of RedCap technology, the complexity, size, and power consumption of device platforms are greatly reduced, enabling cost-effective integration of IoT devices. This creates opportunities for numerous devices to connect to 5G networks, helps expand the 5G ecosystem, and supports new designs for more scalable IoT innovation and applications.”
Singapore Telecom is continuously striving to enhance its 5G capabilities to support the development of new innovative use cases for consumers and businesses. This one month experiment was conducted at five different Singapore Telecom 5G independent (SA) locations, using Ericsson’s RedCap solution and MediaTek’s RedCap testing equipment.
According to the Singapore Information and Communications Media Development Authority’s estimate, the compound annual growth rate of Singapore’s IoT market is 20%, and it will reach $1.1 billion by 2022. This growth is driven by the Smart Nation Initiative and Industry 4.0 efforts, particularly in the manufacturing and logistics sectors. RedCap technology plays a crucial role in promoting the transition of IoT devices from Long Term Evolution (LTE) to New Radio (NR), providing better connectivity and more reliable user experience, and helping to develop more innovative use cases. In addition, the migration to NR provides opportunities for 5G functions such as network slicing and mobile edge computing (MEC). This enables network operators to provide differentiated services tailored to specific use cases such as industrial automation.

Mr. Raymond Soh, Head of Network Solutions at Ericsson Singapore and the Philippines, said, “Ericsson RedCap will open up a new world of possibilities for communication service providers, allowing for the introduction of services beyond Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) on 5G independent architectures, expanding ecosystems, and providing new monetization opportunities in consumers and industries.”
“MediaTek is committed to driving the development of the global 5G market. Our cooperation with Singapore Telecom and Ericsson enables us to provide the most advanced 5G RedCap modems for IoT platforms, creating new and exciting opportunities for operators and device manufacturers’ ecosystems,” said Mr. Sun Yaowen, General Manager of Corporate Sales for MediaTek Asia and Africa。