Nokia and du, a part of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), have announced the successful completion of the UAE’s inaugural 5G-Advanced 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) trial on a commercial network.
This milestone underscores the readiness of du’s 5G network to support innovative applications in areas like the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, and Industry 4.0, addressing the challenges of 5G monetization.
The trial featured MediaTek’s T300 series RedCap test equipment within du’s 5G Standalone (SA) Radio Access Network (RAN), powered by Nokia’s AirScale radio products. Leveraging existing mid-band Spectrum, the trial showcased RedCap’s potential over low-band frequencies, ensuring extensive coverage and connectivity.
RedCap technology, anticipated to be available commercially by 2024, is poised to enhance du’s array of use cases. These include cost-effective 5G home wireless solutions, wearables, video surveillance systems, and wireless industrial sensors.
5G devices often entail intricate hardware and substantial energy consumption, resulting in higher costs and power usage. RedCap technology aims to streamline these devices, particularly targeting compact IoT devices like wearables, health trackers, and robust routers or sensors used for environmental monitoring. By reducing energy demands and optimizing performance, RedCap ensures sustained functionality without compromising power efficiency.
Saleem Alblooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This introduces revolutionary 5G-Advanced RedCap functionalities, facilitating seamless connectivity of RedCap devices to cutting-edge 5G networks. Nokia’s innovation simplifies the development of 5G devices, enhancing LTE-CAT4 performance and energy efficiency, vital for Industry 4.0’s advancement.”
Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President at Nokia MEA, hailed the collaboration as a milestone in 5G technology monetization and solidifying the UAE’s leadership in evolving 5G use cases. He noted that this partnership will unlock unprecedented innovation and connectivity possibilities.
Dr. Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnerships at MediaTek, highlighted the importance of pioneering 5G capabilities in the UAE. He expressed pride in providing RedCap devices to enrich the 5G ecosystem, aiming to assure customers of forthcoming innovative 5G products and services in the Middle East and Africa region.
