Ericsson implements 5G RedCap on Etisalat network
- July 24, 2024
- Steve Rogerson

The first implementation of Ericsson’s RedCap technology on a commercial network in the Middle East has taken place in partnership with Etisalat (e&) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ericsson has conducted end-to-end verification of the RedCap software on the service provider’s 5G Standalone (5G SA) network, expanding the ecosystem for new types of devices that can be connected to 5G.
The RedCap radio access network (RAN) software will allow e& to introduce services beyond enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) on its 5G SA architecture, broadening the 5G ecosystem and offering monetisation opportunities in both the consumer and industrial spaces.
RedCap can effectively scale down the complexity, size and capabilities of 5G IoT devices, such as wearables and industrial sensors, to enhance cost efficiency and increase battery life, while still providing sufficient data speeds.
The testing took place in e&’s live 5G SA network, where RedCap (www.ericsson.com/en/ran/5g-redcap) was enabled in both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) spectrum. Moreover, e& and Ericsson jointly developed a testing framework aimed at certifying RedCap devices before introducing them in the 5G SA network. The next stage is to scale the RedCap implementation across e&’s commercial network in line with the evolution towards 5G Advanced.
“E& UAE is committed to leveraging the latest technologies in the telecommunications industry to build a flagship network,” said Marwan Bin Shakar, senior vice president at e& UAE. “As a global technology leader, Ericsson is our trusted partner in achieving our objectives. The company’s RedCap opens the door to a new world of possibilities, allowing us to extend our current diverse 5G connectivity options to new segments for consumers, enterprises and industrial users.”
Ekow Nelson, vice president at Ericsson, added: “The capabilities offered by RedCap represent the next wave of evolution in seamless connectivity and interaction enabled by 5G. RedCap supports devices such as wearables and industrial sensors and cameras with adequate speeds and with improved spectral efficiency in more cost- and energy-efficient ways. Our partnership with e& UAE in this implementation is a step in their journey towards 5G Advanced and to unlock connectivity features that will make it possible to automate, innovate and monetise 5G in entirely new ways.”
Ericsson (www.ericsson.com) has a long-standing partnership with e& UAE (www.eand.com), where both companies are working closely together to deliver a 5G network, allowing consumers, enterprises and industries to reap the benefits of enriched connectivity and enhanced mobility.