eRedCap (enhanced NR Reduced Capability, formally eNR RedCap) is defined in 3GPP Release 18. The following parameters are from the ratified specification.
Core Parameters
3GPP Release: Release 18 (5G Advanced) | Formal designation: eNR RedCap | Key work item: RP-213700 | Spec frozen: 2024
Radio Access
Frequency range: FR1 (sub-6 GHz) only – no mmWave support | Maximum channel bandwidth: 5 MHz (FR1) | Receive antenna configuration: 1T1R (single transmit, single receive) | MIMO layers: 1 (no spatial multiplexing) | Carrier aggregation: Not supported
Throughput
Peak downlink: Approximately 10 Mbps (theoretical maximum under ideal conditions) | Peak uplink: Approximately 5 Mbps | Downlink modulation: Up to 64QAM | Uplink modulation: Up to 16QAM
Duplex
FDD: Supported | TDD: Supported | HD-FDD (Half-Duplex FDD): Supported (eliminates duplexer requirement, reduces BOM cost) | HARQ processes: Reduced vs standard 5G NR
Network Requirements
Core network: 5G Standalone (5GC) required – 5G NSA not supported | Network slicing: Supported via 5G Core | eDRX in RRC_INACTIVE: Supported (new in Release 18) | Power Saving Mode (PSM): Supported | Connected-mode eDRX: Supported
eSIM Compatibility
eRedCap devices are compatible with GSMA SGP.32 IoT eSIM architecture for remote SIM profile management. See the SGP.32 specification page and euicc.co.uk for eUICC architecture detail.