e& UAE has activated Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology on its 5G Standalone (5GSA) network, marking a first for the country with a smartwatch as the initial live use case. The launch not only expands the role of wearables with more secure, efficient connectivity but also underscores the operator’s readiness to support RedCap in industrial applications.
RedCap, sometimes referred to as “NR-Light,” is a simplified version of 5G designed for mid-tier IoT devices that don’t require the full power of enhanced mobile broadband. By streamlining performance and reducing device complexity, it enables longer battery life, smaller hardware designs, and more cost-effective deployments — making it well-suited for wearables, logistics, utilities, and factory automation.
For consumers, the smartwatch demo highlights RedCap’s ability to deliver fast, reliable connections with extended battery life. e& UAE notes that its 5GSA network provides advanced encryption and network slicing to strengthen privacy and safeguard data in real time.
The industrial applications are potentially more transformative. RedCap on 5GSA can deliver deterministic performance, allowing for business-critical IoT deployments in manufacturing, supply chains, and smart city infrastructure. By scaling down device requirements while maintaining sufficient data throughput, RedCap could help accelerate adoption of connected sensors and machines across multiple sectors.
Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Senior Vice President of Access Network Development at e& UAE, said the milestone demonstrates how RedCap can bridge consumer and industrial needs on a secure 5G foundation. To that end, e& has also established a certification program to validate the performance and security of RedCap-enabled devices before they go live on its network.
Looking ahead, e& UAE plans to expand RedCap beyond wearables, paving the way for broader industrial deployments and a future transition toward 5G-Advanced. The rollout positions the UAE as one of the early adopters of RedCap technology globally, signaling its intent to remain competitive in next-generation IoT and network services.e& activates redcap on 5g standalone network, starting with smartwatch in uae
