Operator seeking new revenue opportunities in IoT and Industry 4.0
Nokia and du, part of the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), announced the UAE’s first 5G-Advanced 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) trial over a commercial network.
The trial showcased the readiness of du’s 5G network for innovative use cases in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, and Industry 4.0 to address what the press statenent describes as “5G monetization challenges”.
The companies trialled MediaTek’s T300 series RedCap test equipment in du’s 5G Standalone (SA) RAN built with Nokia’s AirScale radio products on mid-band spectrum.
Next the firms will extend RedCap over low band frequencies, ensuring “extreme coverage and connectivity”. Notably, the low band in 600MHz, is a vital connectivity band currently under discussion at the World Radio Conference WRC-23 taking place in Dubai.
RedCap devices are expected to be available commercially from 2024 and could augment du’s portfolio to include 5G home wireless, wearables, video surveillance and wireless sensors for industry.
RedCap’s appeal
5G devices often have intricate hardware and capabilities that increase the cost, size and power consumption. RedCap tech is dedicated to streamlining 5G devices, targeting compact IoT devices like wearables and health trackers, as well as ruggedised routers and sensors for environmental or condition-based monitoring.
These devices use low amounts of battery and bandwidth, while RedCap ensures they sustain performance. Nokia has collaborated with the wider industry in the development of RedCap.
Saleem Alblooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, said, “Nokia’s unparalleled innovation simplifies and pioneers the development of 5G devices, particularly wearables and small IoT devices, significantly enhancing LTE-CAT4 performance and optimizing energy efficiency. These remarkable technological advancements are pivotal in propelling Industry 4.0 revolution.”
Monetisation matters
Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President at Nokia MEA, stated, “This new collaboration between du and Nokia represents not only a significant step forward in the monetization of 5G technology but also solidifies the UAE’s position as a pioneer in the evolution of 5G use cases for society and enterprises.
“As the collaboration progresses, both companies are poised to revolutionize the way we experience and interact with 5G technology, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for innovation and connectivity.”
Dr. Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnerships at MediaTek, added, “It’s essential to bring new capabilities of 5G to the UAE, and this trial is an important step in that direction.
“We hope, by pioneering the technology in the Middle East and Africa region, MediaTek will be able to assure our customers of more innovative 5G products and services coming their way.”