5G RedCap

This month’s Hot Topic report provides a fresh update on the development of 5G RedCap, a streamlined form of 5G targeting cost-sensitive and mid-tier applications like wearables, industrial sensors and surveillance devices. This report provides insights about the global status of 5G standalone and 5G RedCap, investments by operators and availability of devices and chipsets compatible with 5G RedCap. It also explores enhanced RedCap (eRedCap) and its benefits, potential in 5G and GSA’s vision for how it will shape this ecosystem.

Highlights from the April 2025 edition include:

Globally, 30 operators in 21 countries and territories are investing in RedCap, with early commercial launches by T-Mobile in the US, China’s major operators, stc in Kuwait and Dito in the Philippines.

There is vendor and device momentum, with companies including Huawei, Nokia, Samsung, TCL and and ZTE expanding RedCap support. Six chipsets and over 20 devices are now available, with further growth forecast for 2025.

The emergence of eRedCap promises even lower complexity and cost, with commercial adoption expected from 2026.

The outlook for RedCap is positive; GSA expects the technology to dominate mid-tier IoT applications for the next few years, bridging the gap between LTE and full 5G, ahead of broader eRedCap adoption.