Nokia and du spearhead UAE’s 5G-Advanced RedCap revolution

Nokia and du, part of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), have successfully completed the first 5G-Advanced 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) trial in the UAE over a commercial network. The trial demonstrated the preparedness of du’s 5G network for cutting-edge applications in areas like the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, and Industry 4.0, addressing challenges in 5G monetization.

In this trial, the two companies utilized MediaTek’s T300 series RedCap test equipment within du’s 5G Standalone (SA) Radio Access Network (RAN), incorporating Nokia’s AirScale radio products and making use of existing mid-band Spectrum. The next phase involves extending RedCap technology over low band frequencies, particularly the crucial 600MHz band, which is currently a focal point of discussion at the World Radio Conference WRC-23 in Dubai.

Anticipating commercial availability from 2024, RedCap devices are set to significantly expand du’s use case portfolio. This includes cost-efficient 5G home wireless solutions, wearables, video surveillance, and wireless industrial sensors.

Traditional 5G devices often feature complex hardware and energy-intensive capabilities, leading to increased costs, size, and power consumption. RedCap technology is specifically designed to streamline 5G devices, focusing on compact IoT devices such as wearables, health trackers, ruggedized routers, and sensors for environmental or condition-based monitoring. These devices exhibit lower battery life demands and reduced bandwidth requirements while maintaining optimal performance through RedCap’s power-efficient optimization. Nokia has played a pivotal role in advancing RedCap IoT functionality in collaboration with the telecommunications industry.

Saleem Alblooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, introducing revolutionary 5G-Advanced RedCap functionalities. He highlighted Nokia’s innovative contributions, simplifying the development of 5G devices, particularly wearables and small IoT devices. These advancements significantly enhance LTE-CAT4 performance and optimize energy efficiency, crucial for driving the Industry 4.0 revolution.

Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President at Nokia MEA, praised the collaboration as a substantial step forward in 5G technology monetization. He emphasized the UAE’s pioneering role in evolving 5G use cases for society and enterprises, envisioning unparalleled possibilities for innovation and connectivity as the collaboration progresses.

Dr. Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnerships at MediaTek, emphasized the importance of bringing new 5G capabilities to the UAE. He expressed pride in providing RedCap devices for the trial, contributing to the development of the 5G monetization ecosystem. MediaTek aims to pioneer technology in the Middle East and Africa, assuring customers of more innovative 5G products and services in the future.