Delivering Balanced 5G for IoT

Bivocom, a leading IoT and M2M solution provider. Today announced the successful completion of 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) testing on its industrial router, the TR321. This milestone, accordingly, underscores the company’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation in industrial IoT through powerful, cost-effective, and energy-efficient connectivity.

For IIoT users, 5G RedCap addresses a longstanding pain point: choosing between full 5G (high performance but higher cost) and LPWAN technologies (low power and low data rates), including NB-IoT and LTE-M. The successful testing of Bivocom TR321, however, now makes this balanced connectivity accessible. Moreover, it brings immediate value to sectors like smart manufacturing, remote asset monitoring, and smart grids.

5G RedCap: What It Is & Why It Matters？

To fully grasp the value of Bivocom TR321 RedCap testing success, it’s essential to first understand 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability): Also known as “5G NR-Light,” it is a lightweight 5G standard defined in 3GPP Release 17. Its core purpose, in essence, is to bridge the gap between two connectivity extremes.

• Traditional 5G (eMBB): Offers ultra-high speeds (100Mbps+) but comes with high module costs and power consumption. This makes it, without a doubt, overkill for most IIoT use cases.
  
• LPWAN (NB-IoT/LTE-M): Delivers low power and low cost, yet it only supports slow data rates (<1Mbps). Consequently, it is ill-suited for applications that need richer data transmission or greater complexity—such as video monitoring or machine control.

Technical Advantages

1. Efficient Spectrum Use: Operates on FR1 (mainstream 5G bands) with 20MHz max bandwidth (vs. ≥100MHz for 5G eMBB), no redundant carrier aggregation, saving spectrum resources.
   
2. Long Battery Life: eDRX, relaxed RRM, and WUS cut power use—supports 1+ week for wearables, years for industrial sensors, outperforming traditional 5G.
   
3. Low Cost & Complexity: Fewer antennas (1T1R/1T2R), half-duplex FDD (no costly filters), and simplified 64QAM modulation lower terminal costs; network-side support via software upgrades (no hardware overhauls).
   
4. 5G Native Benefits: Inherits 5G SA features—network slicing, low latency (<50ms), high reliability—fit for smart grids, industrial control needing customized services.
   
5. Performance & Compatibility: Theoretical 226Mbps down/120Mbps up (near 4G Cat4, typical 50-70% real-world), compatible with 5G bands and 4G LTE fallback for coverage gaps or roaming.
   
6. Wide Scalability: Extends beyond industrial/smart city use cases to consumer electronics (wearables, smart home) and low-tier medical monitors.

In summary, 5G RedCap strikes an optimal balance between performance, power, and cost. It maintains essential 5G capabilities such as network slicing, low latency (10–50ms), and efficient device connectivity. Specifically, it operates at 20–30% less power consumption than 4G Cat.1 and 60% lower cost than full 5G.

“Most industrial sites don’t need Gbps speeds,” said a Bivocom product leader. “Instead, they need connectivity that’s reliable, affordable, and fits their actual data needs. Our 5G RedCap testing on the TR321, in fact, proves we can deliver that—without forcing customers to overinvest in hardware.”

Applications

• Industrial IoT: Powers industrial sensors (machine vibration/state monitoring) and automation control (latency <50ms). As a result, it serves as a core enabler for Industry 4.0.
  
• Smart Grids: Supports distribution automation, smart metering, load monitoring, and solar grid connection —uses network slicing for secure, reliable data transmission.
  
• Video Surveillance: Delivers affordable 2Mbps real-time video backhaul for smart cities/factory security. Compared to 5G eMBB cameras, it is a far more economical alternative.
  
• Consumer Electronics: Enables standalone connectivity for wearables (smart watches, AR glasses) with VoNR and long battery life; Furthermore, it fits high-end smart home devices, such as premium locks and appliances.
  
• Smart Healthcare: Transmits continuous vital signs data via wearable health monitors, ensuring reliable, low-latency delivery of life signs data.

Broader Compatibility and Deployment Flexibility

The successful integration of 5G RedCap into the TR321 industrial router is a testament to Bivocom’s design philosophy: flexibility, reliability, and forward thinking. Following this milestone, Bivocom plans to extend 5G RedCap support to its entire portfolio of industrial routers and gateways. Unlike costly hardware overhauls, Bivocom’s approach leverages software flexibility: adding custom 5G RedCap drivers to the standard firmware of existing devices.

This approach offers customers a clear upgrade path. It also protects their hardware investments and accelerates the adoption of next-generation IoT. This adoption spans sectors like smart manufacturing, energy management, urban infrastructure, and agritech.

Future Outlook & Global Trajectory

5G RedCap is accelerating its transition from “commercial pilot” to “mainstream IoT technology.” It has distinct momentum, particularly in global deployment, technical evolution, and ecosystem expansion. Since it is a formally standardized technology under 3GPP Release 17, it is poised to play a central role in the global shift toward 5G-powered IoT.

• Global Deployment Momentum: Following commercial launches in China, the US, and the Middle East, RedCap is expected to expand further. Specifically, it will reach across Europe and Asia-Pacific between 2025 and 2026.
  
• eRedCap to Expand Reach: As RedCap’s ultra-lightweight extension (3GPP R18), eRedCap (10Mbps fixed speeds) will target low-cost scenarios (rural smart meters, basic sensors) by 2026, leveraging RedCap’s existing ecosystem for seamless deployment.
  
• Ecosystem & Scale: 9 chipmakers (Qualcomm, MediaTek) and 15+ module vendors (Quectel, Fibocom) offer commercial RedCap products; Additionally, GSMA forecasts that RedCap/eRedCap will power 30% of global 5G IoT connections (approximately 16 billion devices) by 2030. This will make it the top migration path for legacy 2G/3G/4G IoT devices.
  
• Long-Term Fusion: 5G RedCap will deepen integration with AI (e.g., industrial sensor edge analytics) and 5G-Advanced, while serving as a critical “bridge to 6G” to keep today’s devices compatible with next-gen 6G networks. Furthermore, it will unlock additional innovations across low-altitude drones, V2X, and AI edge devices. Furthermore, it will unlock additional innovations across low-altitude drones, V2X, and AI edge devices.

About Bivocom

Bivocom is a global IoT and M2M solution provider committed to driving innovation in connectivity, as demonstrated by our recent successful integration of 5G RedCap technology. We deliver high-performance, cost-efficient industrial routers, gateways, and modems that enable smart manufacturing, energy, transportation, and smart city applications worldwide. Through continuous R&D and strategic partnerships, we empower businesses with reliable, future-ready communication solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and support sustainable growth.

Learn More

With over 11+ years of expertise in industrial IoT and a presence across 90+ countries. Bivocom delivers end-to-end connectivity solutions that empower industries worldwide. From automating remote farms and optimizing building systems to monitoring critical infrastructure, we also provide reliable, future-proof technology tailored to diverse operational needs. Our newly validated 5G RedCap solutions extend this commitment, bringing cost-efficient, high-performance connectivity to applications such as smart manufacturing, energy management, and consumer devices.

To inquire about 5G RedCap integration or discuss a custom solution for your organization, contact Bivocom’s sales team at [email protected].