5G NR-Light (RedCap): Powering the Future of IoT

In the coming years, the world will witness the true potential of 5G in industrial and enterprise applications. The key challenge for mobile network operators is extending connectivity to millions of IoT nodes beyond smartphones. The IoT sector served by mobile communication networks can be categorized as massive IoT (mIoT), critical IoT, broadband IoT, and Industrial IoT (IIoT).

These cellular IoT categories include use cases that demand higher throughput, lower latency, and larger data volumes. While these use cases may not require full-scale 5G speed, they have stringent power and cost requirements, emphasizing low latency across a wide range of applications. That’s where the innovative 5G RedCap standard becomes a game-changer!

Read on to explore the significance of 5G RedCap for massive IoT adoption.

What is RedCap – 5G NR Light?

5G technology is designed to connect millions of devices (sensors) and machines (drones, robots, vehicles) across the global IoT ecosystem. It supports diverse use cases through enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (uRLLC). However, it also needed a solution for applications that fall between these extremes.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Releases 15 to 18 have driven the evolution of 5G for IoT. Releases 15–17 focus on a unified and scalable air interface – 5G New Radio (NR) – enabling the coexistence of multiple 5G device categories. These innovations support a broad set of devices across all spectrum bands (low, mid, and high) and licensing models (licensed, unlicensed, and shared).

• Release 17 introduced 5G NR Light or 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability), bringing optimized power consumption, reduced cost, and enhanced coverage through sidelinks.
• 5G RedCap outperforms NB-IoT and LTE Cat-M1 by providing up to 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink throughput.
• It is ideal for IoT applications requiring continuous data transfer, low power usage, and cost efficiency.

5G vs. RedCap vs. mMTC LTE Cat-M

Parameters	5G	RedCap	mMTC LTE Cat-M
Bit Rate	> 1 Gb/s	~85 Mb/s	1 Mb/s
Bandwidth	100 MHz	20 MHz (<5 MHz in Rel 18)	2–5 MHz
Number of Antennas	2–4	1–2	1
Modulation Scheme	256 QAM	64 QAM	16 QAM

Reduced Capability Means Wider Applicability

The “Reduced Capability” approach in 5G RedCap unlocks broader IoT applications and enhances Industry 4.0 transformation through Private 5G networks. RedCap and Private 5G enable cost-effective deployments tailored to enterprise and industrial use cases.

3GPP Releases 16 and 17 introduced improvements such as 3D positioning, centimeter-level accuracy, lower latency, and higher reliability for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and factory positioning, further strengthening industrial automation.

In the coming years, market demand for 5G RedCap will rise sharply as it brings scalability and innovation to the IoT ecosystem. It will extend 5G’s capabilities to new domains such as agriculture, construction, retail, and manufacturing. Release 18 introduces enhanced RedCap (eRedCap)—paving the way for the next phase of 5G evolution.

RedCap supports a 5G Standalone Network (SA), integrating both the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network (CN). With its low-latency and energy-efficient design, RedCap drives intelligent edge connectivity, boosting reliability and network efficiency.

In a Nutshell

5G RedCap is a cornerstone of the next generation of IoT. It enables more connections, faster data transfer, and lower latency—all at reduced cost and power consumption. By ensuring robust wireless connectivity and seamless mobility, RedCap paves the way for a future of intelligent, scalable, and cost-effective IoT applications.

References

• [1] Nir Shapira, “How RedCap Fits into 5G and IoT”, 5G Technology World
• [2] Hanumant Pawar, “Big Role for 5G RedCap in 5G Evolution, Massive IoT Adoption”, Counterpoint Research
• [3] “5G NR-Light (RedCap): Revolutionizing IoT”, Qualcomm