The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming an integral part of our lives, connecting countless devices and enabling seamless communication between them. From smartphones and wearables to industrial sensors, the IoT ecosystem continues to expand at an unprecedented pace. This exponential growth of ecosystem and the rising importance of machine-to-machine connectivity call for network solutions that can keep up with the increasing demand for connectivity while minimizing the complexity it entails. Unlike current mobile technology requirements today, IoT devices do not always need to support a high-level of capabilities, and this is where Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology comes in.

RedCap, as defined in 3GPP Release 17 specifications, is a scaled-down version of 5G technology that enables a wide range of IoT devices to connect to 5G networks more efficiently and cost-effectively. By reducing the capabilities required for these devices, RedCap allows for smaller form factors, longer battery life, and lower costs. This breakthrough technology opens up a world of possibilities for IoT devices across various sectors.

Recently, Samsung and MediaTek have successfully completed 5G RedCap test over virtualized RAN (vRAN). The test included not only data sessions but more importantly, key features of RedCap technology that are aimed for IoT devices to have a longer battery life and improved energy efficiency, paving the way for a more sustainable and diverse 5G ecosystem.

The test, conducted in Samsung's R&D lab in Korea, utilized Samsung's versatile vRAN 3.0 software, O-RAN compliant radio, and MediaTek's RedCap testing platform equipped with its M60 modem. The collaboration verified the seamless integration of RedCap features over vRAN and Open RAN, focusing on two energy-saving features: Paging Early Indication (PEI) and extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX).

The successful demonstration of these energy-saving features has garnered excitement from industry experts. As HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnership from MediaTek stated, "Achieving this significant technology milestone, in collaboration with Samsung, will undoubtedly drive the 5G RedCap industry forward, building market confidence in the migration from legacy connectivity to the new standard and creating new opportunities for application developers in the next era of advanced IoT."

Joe Madden, Founder & Chief Analyst at Mobile Experts, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential for new business models and applications: "The low cost and low power consumption of RedCap will open up new business models ranging from FWA to IoT with longer battery life. This test marks an important step toward the necessary interoperability, and it builds confidence that the low-power benefits of RedCap will be available in the market soon."

Samsung has been continuing its progress in 5G RedCap over vRAN since last year by successfully completing data sessions in both lab and field. Building upon this, Samsung has now taken one step further to test energy-saving features of RedCap over vRAN, marking a significant industry milestone. Samsung's RedCap technology is set to become commercially available this year for both traditional RAN (tRAN) and vRAN, with plans to apply to Tier 1 operators' networks.

As the global leader in vRAN and Open RAN, Samsung is continuing to introduce the latest features into vRAN and Open RAN network, empowering operators to provide best-in-class 5G connectivity, and expanding the IoT ecosystem with industry partners. By reducing the energy consumption and costs associated with connecting to 5G networks, Samsung's RedCap capability will open the door to a more inclusive and accessible IoT ecosystem, allowing even small and resource-constrained devices to play a role in the digital revolution.