A Glimpse into the Future: Verizon, Ericsson, and MediaTek Pave the Way for 5G Devices with Extended Battery Life
In a groundbreaking development, Verizon, Ericsson, and MediaTek have achieved a significant milestone in the world of 5G technology. The successful completion of data and voice sessions over Verizon’s 5G network using Ericsson’s new RedCap-compatible software and MediaTek’s RedCap testing platform opens up exciting possibilities for the future of low-cost, low-power devices. This achievement is poised to revolutionize the landscape of consumer wearables, fitness trackers, mobile medical devices, and enterprise IoT solutions.
Traditionally, devices like consumer wearables and IoT sensors, which often require voice connections and transmit smaller data volumes than smartphones, have faced challenges in running efficiently on 5G networks. However, with the introduction of this cutting-edge technology, engineers have demonstrated more efficient pathways for these devices to operate on Verizon’s 5G network. This breakthrough could lead to the development and deployment of smaller, lighter, and less complex devices with significantly extended battery life, making them more practical and appealing to consumers and businesses alike.
Adam Koeppe, SVP of Network and Technology Planning at Verizon, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “The network transformation we have undergone the past few years has brought us to this place of having a highly sophisticated and customizable network able to provide a range of capabilities needed for a variety of devices.” He further added that this evolution, coupled with the new light software and technologies within the 5G network, will enhance the customer experience and drive the 5G ecosystem with energy-efficient, low-cost devices.
The successful collaboration between Verizon, Ericsson, and MediaTek marks a milestone in the development of 5G RedCap platform technology. Dr. HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems & Partnerships at MediaTek, emphasized that this technology opens the door for cost-effective and power-efficient use cases such as wearables, IoT devices, AR glasses, and more. Importantly, it achieves these goals without putting additional strain on existing 5G networks designed for higher-performance systems.
One of the key takeaways from these recent trials is the efficient completion of both data and voice sessions. These are essential for devices like consumer wearables and audio-enabled enterprise solutions. The trials successfully utilized 5G technology over C-band TDD spectrum and 850 MHz FDD spectrum within Verizon’s production network, which employs Verizon’s 5G standalone core. Once this technology is deployed commercially, Verizon is committed to working closely with developers in both the consumer and business sectors to accelerate the development of 5G devices, thereby propelling the entire ecosystem forward.
The introduction of New Radio (NR) RedCap devices is expected to expand the 5G ecosystem by catering to specific use cases with more efficient resource allocation. RedCap offers data rates comparable to LTE-enabled devices while improving latency, device energy efficiency, and spectrum efficiency. Moreover, it has the potential to support advanced 5G NR features like enhanced positioning and network slicing.
Graham Osborne, Vice President and Head of Customer Unit Verizon, Ericsson North America, underscored the importance of this milestone by stating, “Pioneering both data and VoNR calls on both low- and mid-bands on Verizon’s 5G standalone network demonstrates the capability of Ericsson RedCap as a software to boost a whole new range of use cases for both consumers and enterprises.”
With this, we can come to the conclusion that successful collaboration between Verizon, Ericsson, and MediaTek represents a giant leap forward for the 5G low-cost, low-power device ecosystem. With this achievement, the possibilities for consumer wearables, IoT devices, and enterprise solutions are boundless. As these technologies continue to evolve, we can look forward to a future filled with smaller, more efficient, and longer-lasting devices that will enhance our daily lives and drive innovation across various industries.