Paving The Way for 5G Wearables and Industrial Devices Down Under

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Australia experienced its first over-the-air data call in mid-August, made possible by a partnership between Optus, Ericsson, and MediaTek. According to a release, the achievement utilized Ericsson’s pre-commercial Reduced Capability (RedCap) software on Optus’ 5G network.  

“Optus is always pushing the boundaries on network technology to find ways to improve the experience of our customers,” said Lambo Kanagaratnam, Managing Director of Networks at Optus. “This trial is about catering for 5G for wearable devices, like watches, so customers can benefit from accessing the most up-to-date technology in their daily lives.” 

The advancement showcases how Optus enables 5G in simpler, low-power, low-cost RedCap personal and commercial devices. These include wearables (e.g., smartwatches), health monitors, augmented reality (AR) devices (e.g., glasses), video surveillance, and industrial sensors. 

Ericsson’s RedCap software is designed to help power everything from wearable devices to smart cities, providing reliable wireless connectivity and seamless mobility. 

“We are pleased to be working with Optus and MediaTek to bring the benefits of Ericsson RedCap to Optus’ customers,” said Martin Wiktorin, Head of Ericsson’s Global Customer Unit, Singtel. “With this advancement, Optus can offer enhanced 5G connectivity for everything from consumer wearables to industrial sensors in a way that is both cost and energy-efficient, unlocking a whole range of new use cases.” 

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