UK-based BT Group has successfully completed trials of 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology with RedCap devices, working in partnership with Nokia and MediaTek. The trial was carried out at BT’s Adastral Park site, utilising Nokia’s AirScale RAN portfolio, EE’s 5G Standalone (SA) network and MediaTek’s RedCap testing platform.

RedCap was introduced in 3GPP Release 17 and brings 5G to devices that do not require its full capabilities, and it has been claimed that the technology has the potential to expand the IoT ecosystem and accelerate its deployment within the industry. BT Group is reportedly evaluating RedCap to support new 5G use cases which could benefit both business and consumer subscribers served by its mobile unit, EE.

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, said of the matter: ‘This trial with Nokia demonstrates the potential of RedCap technology in unlocking a new wave of innovation within the 5G services ecosystem. This is especially the case as we move towards the arrival of 5G SA, bringing with it enhanced reliability, responsiveness, security, and speed which – through 5G RedCap – promises to benefit a host of new IoT devices and use cases.’