Consumer electronics giant TCL has launched what it claims is the first commercially available 5G reduced capacity (RedCap) in North America for use on T-Mobile’s nationwide cellular network.
Called the TCL Linkport IK11, the device allows notebooks, tablets and other mobile devices to have access to high-speed internet without the use of Wi-Fi in the home. It could also power internet of things (IoT) devices for healthcare and industrial uses.
T-Mobile said the device could be used for consumers or enterprise users to upgrade 5G connectivity to current devices that use 4G LTE devices for faster speeds compared to traditional tethering and existing LTE Cat 4 connections. Additionally, the device allows businesses to access network slicing and additional cellular services previously unavailable with 4G LTE solutions.
Features of the TCL Linkport IK511 include:
- Plug-and-play 5G connectivity through USB
- Compatible with major operating systems
- Snapdragon x35 modem-RF system
- Up to 220 Mbps data transfer speeds
What is RedCap?
The 5G RedCap specification was released with the 3GPP standard. It is designed to provide 5G capabilities to less complex devices that also consume less power.
While smartphones use full-featured 5G chipsets, these are unable to be placed inside devices like smartwatches, augmented reality glasses and other IoT devices used for healthcare, asset tracking, smart home systems, fleet management and more.
5G RedCap core design has a maximum bandwidth of 20 MHz with a single carrier and comes without the requirement to aggregate multiple carries together. This allows for simpler and small antenna designs with one transmitter and one or two receivers, unlike the more complex designs required for 5G smartphones.
Not surprisingly, telecoms along with wireless equipment makers and communication vendors are looking to RedCap to expand their reach with 5G into areas that cannot be served normally with current technologies on the market.
The good news is also that 5G RedCap while reduced in capability still takes advantage of the benefits of the 5G network like improved bandwidth, download speeds and latency.