Verizon joined rival AT&T in touting successful tests of 5G reduced capacity (RedCap) technology that is set to bring advanced IoT services to 5G networks.

Verizon’s work was alongside vendor partners Ericsson and MediaTek. The trio completed data sessions and voice calls running across Verizon’s 5G standalone (SA) core and using Ericsson’s RedCap software and MediaTek’s RedCap testing platform.

The sessions ran over Verizon’s C-band (3.7 GHz-3.98 GHz) time division duplex (TDD) and 850 MHz frequency division duplex (FDD) spectrum in a production 5G SA core. TDD technology allows operators to adjust the uplink and downlink capacity of a spectrum channel based on need, while FDD spectrum is typically fixed in splitting its channel capacity evenly between the uplink and downlink.

RedCap, also known as NR-Light, was introduced as part of the 3GPP Release 17 specifications. It was basically designed as the 5G version of the narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) or LTE-M specifications used in 4G LTE.

The RedCap specification itself limits spectrum use to 20 megahertz for sub-6 GHz bands and 100 megahertz for millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum. This allows for simpler and smaller antenna designs with one transmitter and one or two receivers, unlike the more complex multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna designs required for full-feature 5G new radio (NR) devices like smartphones. This allows RedCap to reduce power requirements.

Counterpoint Technology Market Research in a recent report explained that RedCap “is a lighter version of the 5G standard that will cater to those use cases where ultra-low latency is not essential, but there is a need for reasonable throughput to support data flows in applications like router/[customer-premises equipment], mass-market automotive, [point-of-sale] and telematics devices.”

Adam Koeppe, SVP of network and technology planning at Verizon, noted in a statement tied to the RedCap test that the move will allow the carrier to further advance 5G-based IoT.

“The evolution of this new light software, coupled with the technologies deployed throughout our 5G network, will allow us to provide the best possible experience for our customers in an efficient manner and will drive the 5G ecosystem with low-cost, energy-efficient devices,” Koeppe explained.

ABI Research in a recent report noted 5G advances like RedCap could help propel a slowing wearables market.

“Although it may take some time for 5G-Advanced and the 5G RedCap feature to fully integrate into devices like smartwatches, [true wireless stereo] headsets and personal tags, once it happens there will be a noticeable incremental jump in shipments within this sector,” Sachin Mehta, senior analyst for consumer technologies at ABI Research, wrote. “The implementation of 5G technology is expected to significantly impact wearables' capabilities and drive further market growth.”

Counterpoint Research predicts “5G RedCap modules will constitute 18% of total cellular IoT module shipments by 2030, indicating a significant market potential, particularly in developing nations where the cost is key to wide technology adoption for digital transformation.”

Verizon’s RedCap tests come as the carrier has been updating its enterprise-focused IoT aspirations.

The carrier earlier this summer added international IoT management capabilities that make it easier for enterprises to deploy and manage those devices in foreign countries.

Verizon Business enterprise customers will be able to manage their IoT devices using the carrier’s ThingSpace IoT management platform, which includes its Global IoT Orchestration product. This single pane of glass also has Verizon at the center of device management for those devices outside of its home network.

Verizon’s RedCap work comes just weeks after AT&T said it completed similar tests. AT&T’s pair of tests both involved MediaTek, with Nokia as the equipment vendor in one and Ericsson in the other.

The Nokia-based test involved data calls in a lab environment and a field that used the operator’s nascent 5G SA network core. The test used MediaTek’s RedCap platform to connect to AT&T’s 5G SA core running Nokia’s AirScale platform.

AT&T’s work with Ericsson involved lab testing the interoperability of the vendor’s RedCap software to work with MediaTek’s platform. It involved both data transmission and VoNR connections.