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The promise of 5G has always been about blazing speeds, ultra-low latency, and massive device connectivity. However, not every Internet of Things (IoT) application needs the full power—or cost—of premium 5G New Radio (NR). Reduced Capability (RedCap) steps in as a practical solution, offering a streamlined 5G profile that bridges the gap between LTE Cat-4 and full-featured 5G. It delivers lower complexity and cost while retaining essential benefits like standalone (SA) architecture, network slicing, and improved power efficiency.

This balance is critical because cellular IoT adoption is accelerating across industries. Engineers designing industrial gateways, rugged IoT devices, and mobile robotics need connectivity that is robust yet affordable. RedCap provides just enough throughput for applications such as cameras, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and telematics, without the bill of materials burden of high-end 5G. This week’s New Tech Tuesdays digs into how 5G RedCap provides the IoT landscape with a middle ground for connectivity needs that gives designers just the right size.

The Connectivity Crossroads from LTE to Lean 5G

The evolution of IoT connectivity has been shaped by a constant push for higher performance and lower latency. LTE Cat-4 served as a reliable standard for years, but as applications grew more demanding—requiring real-time video, advanced telemetry, and edge computing—engineers faced a tough choice: upgrade to full 5G NR with its complexity and cost or stick with LTE and risk performance limitations.

RedCap, introduced in 3GPP Release 17, was designed to solve this dilemma.^[1] By reducing antenna requirements, bandwidth, and RF complexity, RedCap offers a leaner version of 5G that still supports critical features like network slicing for dedicated performance tiers and SA core compatibility for future-proof deployments. Power efficiency improvements make it fit for battery-operated devices, while simplified hardware requirements lower development costs.

This innovation aligns perfectly with market dynamics.^[2] Operators are now deploying RedCap commercially across multiple regions, and device certification pipelines are accelerating. As a result, engineers have access to affordable, 5G-ready modules optimized for industrial and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

The Sierra Wireless / Semtech EM8695 module is a robust solution for engineers seeking to integrate 5G RedCap into industrial and rugged IoT designs without the complexity and cost of full 5G NR. This module is engineered to deliver the right balance of performance and efficiency, making it ideal for mid-tier IoT applications that require reliable connectivity and moderate throughput.

With support for NR SA 20MHz 1CC, the EM8695 provides optimized data rates suitable for applications such as industrial gateways and HMIs. It operates across sub-6 GHz bands, ensuring broad coverage and dependable connectivity in diverse environments. The module’s compact form factor simplifies integration into space-constrained designs, while its reduced RF complexity lowers development challenges for engineers.

The EM8695 is an optimized solution for rugged IoT nodes, mobile robotics, smart kiosks, and transportation telematics systems. By combining cost efficiency, reliability, and future-proof architecture, this module empowers engineers to right-size connectivity for demanding environments without sacrificing essential 5G capabilities.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

As IoT scales into billions of devices, connectivity strategies must evolve beyond one-size-fits-all solutions. 5G RedCap represents a pivotal shift—delivering the essential benefits of 5G without the complexity or cost that often limits adoption. For engineers, this isn’t just about adding another wireless option; it’s about unlocking design flexibility and enabling smarter, leaner systems that thrive in industrial and rugged environments. The future of IoT will belong to technologies that balance performance with practicality, and RedCap is leading that charge.

This blog was generated with assistance from Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Sources

[1] https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-technologies/releases/release-17
[2] https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/mobility-report