As mobile operators prepare to retire legacy 4G networks in favour of 5G, Sony positions eRedCap as the standard for future IoT connectivity.
For CIOs and network architects, the eventual sunsetting of 4G LTE presents a logistical timeline that requires immediate planning. While 2G and 4G networks remain active to support devices currently in the field, spectrum is a finite resource that operators are eager to reclaim.
Sony argues that eRedCap (enhanced Reduced Capability) is the necessary link to unify this infrastructure, allowing a gradual migration without disrupting operations.
The middle ground problem
Industrial IoT currently faces a capability gap. Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies handle simple, low-bandwidth tasks like water metering or asset tracking effectively – often running for decades on a single battery – but these protocols struggle with the heavier data demands of modern enterprise tech.
Industrial automation, next-generation safety systems, and wearables need more throughput and voice support than LPWA provides. As AI moves to the edge, devices also require richer data streams for real-time processing. Standard 5G NR (New Radio) can handle the speed, but is often too complex and power-hungry for mass deployment in battery-operated sensors.
Sony’s approach uses eRedCap, built on 3GPP Release 18, to fill this void. It offers the 5G data rates needed for data-heavy applications while keeping the cost and complexity closer to LTE-based IoT standards.
“The future of IoT is clearly converging around eRedCap,” said Nohik Semel, CEO of Sony Semiconductor Israel. “It brings the performance needed for tomorrow’s connected devices while preserving the efficiency and longevity that industries count on.
“For device makers designing for the next 10-20 years, eRedCap is the technology that will facilitate the move from 4G into a fully 5G world.”
Betting on HD-FDD
For network architects, the technical specifics of this transition are vital. Sony identifies Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD) as the primary deployment option for these devices.
HD-FDD allows for a simpler Radio Frequency (RF) design compared to full-duplex alternatives. This reduction in complexity lowers the bill of materials and power consumption, factors that directly impact the feasibility of large-scale sensor fleets.
Counterpoint Research projects this market segment will exceed 50 million units by 2030.
“The market is actively seeking competitive 5G NR solutions that can enable the transition of LTE Cat-1bis and higher category devices to native 5G networks,” explained Mohit Agrawal, Research Director at Counterpoint Research.
“HD-FDD’s technical advantages in reduced RF complexity align perfectly with eRedCap’s design goals, making it the logical duplexing choice for cost-sensitive, battery-powered devices at scale.”
Preparing for 5G eRedCap IoT networks
Sony provided details on its Altair ALT1550 5G eRedCap modem. The chip is currently undergoing real-silicon testing and targets 3GPP Release 18 compliance.
The immediate value for operations directors lies in the chip’s backward compatibility. It supports 4G Cat-1bis and LTE-M, meaning devices can deploy today on existing LTE networks and switch to 5G eRedCap via software or network updates later. This removes the need to physically replace hardware when local carriers eventually shut down 4G service.
Dima Feldman, VP of Product Management and Marketing at Sony Semiconductor Israel, said: “Our Altair ALT1550 roadmap reflects our belief that 5G IoT must be cost-efficient, power-efficient, and built for longevity. This is how we help customers transition smoothly from 4G to a sustainable 5G future.”
Relying on older LTE categories for new long-life assets is now becoming a liability. As operators look to free up spectrum, legacy connections will eventually go dark.
Adopting eRedCap hardware now creates a buffer against this network evolution. It allows organisations to maintain critical safety and automation data streams through the transition period, ensuring that infrastructure installed today is still talking to the network ten years from now.
See also: IoT in 2026: Global connectivity set for ‘great re-alignment’
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