Nokia and du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), have announced the conclusion of one of the UAE’s first 5G-Advanced 5G reduced capability (RedCap) trial over a commercial network. The trial showcased the readiness of du’s 5G network for use cases in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables and Industry 4.0 to address 5G monetisation challenges.
The two companies trialed MediaTek’s T300 series RedCap test equipment in du’s 5G standalone (SA) radio access network (RAN) built with Nokia’s AirScale radio products, using the existing mid-band Spectrum. This will follow extending RedCap over low band frequencies, ensuring coverage and connectivity. The low band in 600MHz, is an important connectivity band currently under discussion at the World Radio Conference WRC-23 taking place in Dubai.
With RedCap devices expected to be commercially available from 2024, it will augment du’s diversified use case portfolio to include cost-efficient 5G home wireless, wearables, video surveillance and wireless industrial sensors.
5G devices commonly feature intricate hardware and energy-intensive capabilities, resulting in higher cost, size and power consumption. RedCap technology is dedicated to streamlining 5G devices, specifically targeting compact IoT devices like wearables and health trackers, as well as ruggedised routers and sensors for environmental or condition-based monitoring. These devices exhibit lower demands for battery life and reduced bandwidth requirements. RedCap ensures they sustain performance while optimising their power efficiency. Nokia has been instrumental in driving the evolution of RedCap IoT functionality in collaboration with the telecommunications industry.
“This collaboration introduces the revolutionary 5G-Advanced RedCap functionalities, enabling seamless connectivity of RedCap devices to cutting-edge 5G networks,” said Saleem Alblooshi, a chief technology officer at du. “Nokia’s unparalleled innovation simplifies and pioneers the development of 5G devices, particularly wearables and small IoT devices, significantly enhancing LTE-CAT4 performance and optimising energy efficiency. These remarkable technological advancements are pivotal in propelling Industry 4.0 revolution.”
“This new collaboration between du and Nokia represents not only a significant step forward in the monetisation of 5G technology but also solidifies the UAE’s position as a pioneer in the evolution of 5G use cases for society and enterprises,” said Mikko Lavanti, a senior vice president at Nokia MEA. “As the collaboration progresses, both companies are poised to revolutionise the way we experience and interact with 5G technology, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for innovation and connectivity.”
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