In order to promote the evolution of 5G lightweight (RedCap) technology, product development and industrialization, and vigorously promote the large-scale development of 5G applications, on August 29, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology publicly solicited opinions on the “Notice on Promoting the Evolution and Application Innovation and Development of 5G Lightweight (RedCap) Technology (Draft for comment)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Notice”).

5G lightweight (RedCap, abbreviation of ReducedCapability) technology is an important path for 5G to realize the interconnection of people, machines and things. The technological evolution and application innovation of 5G RedCap will play a positive role in the construction of new infrastructure, the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and the deep integration of the digital economy and the real economy. Promoting 5G RedCap technology evolution, product development and industrialization will promote the large-scale development of 5G applications.

According to the Notice, by 2025, the cost of key links in the industry such as 5G RedCap chips, modules, and terminals will continue to decline, and there will be more than 100 terminal products. Cities above the county level across the country have achieved 5G RedCap coverage, and the number of 5G RedCap connections has increased by tens of millions. The application scenarios of 5G RedCap in the fields of industry, energy, logistics, vehicle networking, public safety, smart city and other fields are more abundant, and the application scale continues to increase. Select a batch of 5G RedCap application demonstration benchmarks, form a batch of replicable and scalable solutions, and create more than 5 5G RedCap application areas with millions of connections. Build a technology and application innovation platform and public service platform for the development of 5G RedCap industry, and cultivate a number of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.

The “Notice” deployed seven main tasks: First, to promote the development of 5G RedCap standards. Formulate 5G RedCap related industry standards based on 3GPP R17 version, and clarify the technical requirements and test methods of related equipment. Support all parties in the industry to actively participate in the formulation of international standards for 3GPP R18 and subsequent versions of 5G RedCap, and enhance technical capabilities for large-scale connected iot scenarios.

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The second is to build a 5G RedCap industrial system. Promote the upstream and downstream collaboration of the industrial chain, promote the research and development and industrialization of 5G RedCap chips, modules, terminals, networks, meters and other products, and accelerate the integration of RedCap with 5G enhancement functions such as network slicing, high-precision positioning, and 5GLAN (local area Network) to meet the application needs of different industry scenarios. Give full play to the advantages of the existing network of basic telecommunications enterprises, promote the testing and application verification of 5G RedCap technology, and accelerate the commercial landing through scene adaptation. Enrich terminal types and product forms, carry out ecological activities such as 5G Inside, improve the application compatibility and industry recognition of 5G RedCap terminal products, promote the decline of 5G RedCap chip and mode components, and accelerate the commercial landing and promotion of terminals.

Third, accelerate the RedCap capability upgrade of 5G networks. In accordance with the principle of moderate advance, promote the commercial use of 5G RedCap in stages and regions, accelerate the continuous coverage of 5G RedCap in major cities, improve the business continuity and reliability of wide-area iot, and support access to more application scenarios. Promote the application of 5G RedCap technology in industrial virtual private networks, improve 5G iot capabilities, and better adapt to industry characteristics and meet application needs.

Fourth, actively carry out 5G RedCap application innovation. Focusing on industrial digitalization, intelligent governance, and intelligent life, we will accelerate the exploration of 5G RedCap applications and cultivate new models and new formats. Promote the application of 5G RedCap in wireless sensing, equipment control and other production links, create more scenario-based solutions for industry, energy, logistics, ports, vehicle networking and other fields, and empower the digital transformation of the industry. Promote the integration and innovation of 5G RedCap with data acquisition and video surveillance, accelerate the application expansion of public security, smart city and other fields, and promote the continuous improvement of social governance capabilities. Promote the evolution and upgrading of new terminals such as wearables and smart homes to 5G RedCap, and help personal application innovation continue to emerge.

Fifth, to create a 5G RedCap demonstration benchmark in the industry. Promote industry leading enterprises and basic telecommunications enterprises to create 5G RedCap application demonstration benchmarks with innovative models, remarkable results and easy replication and promotion. Through the “Blooming Cup” 5G application competition, case collection, industrial Internet pilot demonstration project, 5G factory directory release and other activities, gather excellent cases and resources, establish advanced models, guide the application innovation and development of various industries, and accelerate the formation of a number of 5G RedCap application fields to achieve millions of connections.

Sixth, build a 5G RedCap ecological environment for integrated development. Encourage basic telecommunications enterprises and industry leading enterprises to give play to their industrial advantages, promote 5G RedCap technology innovation, promote the coordinated development of the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, cultivate a number of 5G RedCap innovative smes, and form an integrated development pattern of large and small enterprises. Give full play to the guiding role of the IMT-2020 (5G) promotion group, continue to promote the formulation of specifications, technical testing and other related work, accelerate the maturity of the 5G RedCap industry, and promote the commercialization of 5G RedCap. Relying on the 5G application industry matrix, 5G innovation centers are encouraged to build 5G RedCap application test beds, and provide public services such as technical consultation, test certification, and supply and demand docking.

Seventh, enhance the 5G RedCap security capability. Promote 5G RedCap security and technology, application synchronous planning, synchronous construction, synchronous operation. Focusing on the new features of 5G RedCap products, accelerate the development of security standards related to terminals, networks and platforms, strengthen the security risk assessment before 5G RedCap is launched and tested for commercial use, accelerate the application of security capabilities such as situational awareness and threat monitoring, and improve the security guarantee capability of 5G RedCap. Encourage the research and development of 5G RedCap security-related detection tools and service platforms, and promote the replication and promotion of excellent security products and solutions.