AIS and Huawei announced the completion of a 5G RedCap commercial test in Bangkok. The test was conducted on both 700MHz and 2600MHz commercial networks and used diversified commercial RedCap terminals, including DTU (data transfer units) and cameras.
Comprehensive capabilities were verified during the test, such as downlink and uplink peak throughput, mobility performance, coexistence of RedCap, and eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband) UEs. The test result showed that both AIS’s 5G network and RedCap terminals’ performance met expectations.
5G RedCap is a new technology defined in 3GPP Release 17. It is designed for medium- and high-speed IoT applications, such as industrial sensors, smart wearables and video surveillance. By simplifying the baseband, radio frequency (RF) and antenna units, RedCap has lower costs and power consumption than 5G eMBB. Additionally, compared with 4G CAT4 UEs, RedCap inherits native capabilities of 5G, such as high capacity and lower latency. In addition, RedCap supports key capabilities used in business, such as slicing and positioning.
“We have recently conducted trials of 5G technology. AIS 2600MHz and 700MHz dual-band 5G network provides leading consumer experience,” says Wasit Wattanasap, head of nationwide operations and support business unit at AIS. “AIS is also committed to technology and application innovations, improving vertical industry production efficiency. RedCap is an important achievement of 5G technology evolution. It will reduce 70% of 5G module costs, accelerating 5G industry applications.”
Wattanasap added that AIS will cooperate with Huawei and industry partners to explore RedCap applications in industrial control, energy and power, smart cities, smart wearables, and more.
“RedCap is a promising technology to unleash 5G network potential that could be used in diversified scenarios,” according to Huawei. “Huawei will continue to help AIS build high-quality 5G networks through joint innovation, incubate more 5G applications with industry partners, and support the acceleration of Thailand’s industry digital transformation.”
Last week, Ericsson carried out tests on Malaysia’s 5G network deployed by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the first implementation and validation in Southeast Asia of Ericsson’s pre-commercial RedCap software. These tests were carried out in collaboration with MediaTek, a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, using its 5G RedCap test platform in Malaysia.
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