5G • 5G-Advanced (Rel-18)
eRedCap Device Profile
Rel-18 Enhanced Reduced Capability User Equipment
Further scales down 5G device complexity, reducing channel bandwidth to 5 MHz and peak data rates to ~10 Mbps for ultra-cheap, long-life IoT.
Technical Explanation
While Release 17 RedCap reduced 5G bandwidth to 20 MHz with ~150 Mbps throughput, Release 18 introduces Enhanced RedCap (eRedCap). eRedCap targets lower-tier IoT sensors, smart grids, and asset trackers by slashing operating bandwidth to 5 MHz and peak data rates to ~10 Mbps, driving modem silicon costs down to parity with legacy LTE Cat-1/1bis.
Key Functions
- Reduces operating channel bandwidth down to 5 MHz (from 20 MHz in Rel-17 RedCap)
- Targets peak data rates of approximately 10 Mbps for cost-sensitive IoT devices
- Lowers modem silicon die area and BOM cost to compete directly with LTE Cat-1
- Enables multi-year battery lifetime on small single-cell lithium batteries
Specifications
3GPP TS 38.306, TR 38.865 (Rel-18)
Interfaces
Uu
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