Airtel x Ericsson’s RedCap
Bharti Airtel, Ericsson, and Qualcomm Technologies have successfully tested Ericsson’s pre-commercial Reduced Capability (RedCap) software on the Airtel 5G network. This is the first implementation and validation of RedCap in India, conducted on a 5G TDD network.
RedCap software enhances 5G capabilities, allowing for a broader range of use cases and increasing the number of 5G connections from various devices. It offers similar data rates to LTE device category 4 while improving latency, device energy efficiency, and spectrum efficiency. It also has the potential to support advanced 5G NR features like enhanced positioning and network slicing.
The successful implementation of RedCap opens up new opportunities for communication service providers, expanding the range of services available on 5G standalone architecture. It also promises operational efficiencies and accelerated transformation towards industry 4.0 with 5G private networks for Bharti Airtel.
Sandeep Hingorani, Head of Network Solutions for Customer Unit Bharti at Ericsson, stated that the commercialization of RedCap capabilities will enable Airtel to grow its consumer business and enable new industry applications while improving network performance and energy efficiency.