What Performance Can You Expect From 5G RedCap Modems?

5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) is emerging as one of the most important cellular technologies for IoT deployments. It delivers significantly better performance and lower latency than LTE-M and Cat-1, while avoiding the cost and power complexity of full 5G NR modules. In our recent testing using the SIMCOM 8230 5G RedCap module and Simplex Wireless SIM cards, we successfully connected to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks and observed sub-100ms latency with peak speeds approaching 150 Mbps. In this article, we explain what 5G RedCap is, how it compares to 4G LTE categories like Cat-4 and Cat-6, what performance you can realistically expect, and where it fits in modern IoT deployments.

• What Is 5G RedCap?
• Where Does RedCap Fit in the 4G vs 5G Landscape?
• Our 5G RedCap Testing With SIMCOM 8230
• Performance Benchmarks: Speed and Latency
• What Use Cases Benefit From 5G RedCap?
• How 5G RedCap Fits Into Your IoT Connectivity Strategy
• Takeaway: Is 5G RedCap Ready for IoT Scale?

What Is 5G RedCap?

5G RedCap, short for Reduced Capability, is defined in 3GPP Release 17 as a streamlined version of 5G NR designed specifically for IoT and mid-tier connected devices.

Traditional 5G modules are powerful, but they are also complex, expensive, and energy intensive. For many IoT deployments, that level of performance is unnecessary. Devices such as routers, trackers, video endpoints, industrial controllers, or Push-To-Talk units require better performance than LTE-M or Cat-1, but not the multi-gigabit speeds of premium 5G smartphones.

RedCap fills that gap.

Instead of targeting gigabit throughput, 5G RedCap is typically designed for:

• Peak downlink speeds up to 150 Mbps
• Uplink speeds in the tens of Mbps range
• Lower device complexity compared to full 5G
• Reduced antenna requirements
• Improved power efficiency

This makes it highly attractive for next generation IoT devices that need higher bandwidth and lower latency without full 5G overhead.

At Simplex Wireless, we continuously test emerging technologies to ensure compatibility with our global IoT SIM offerings. You can learn more about our connectivity solutions at

IoT and M2M Data SIM

Where Does RedCap Fit in the 4G vs 5G Landscape?

To understand what performance to expect from 5G RedCap, it is helpful to compare it to 4G LTE categories.

LTE Cat-1 devices typically deliver:

• 10 Mbps downlink
• 5 Mbps uplink

LTE Cat-4 devices support:

• 150 Mbps downlink
• 50 Mbps uplink

LTE Cat-6 devices support:

• 300 Mbps downlink

When RedCap is rated around 150 Mbps downlink, it essentially aligns with LTE Cat-4 class performance in terms of peak throughput. However, it operates on the 5G core and benefits from 5G architecture improvements such as more efficient scheduling and lower latency.

This is an important point for IoT designers. RedCap is not intended to compete with LTE-M or NB-IoT. It competes more directly with higher LTE categories such as Cat-4 and Cat-6, offering similar speed envelopes but within the 5G framework.

For many enterprise IoT deployments, LTE Cat-4 has historically been the performance sweet spot. 5G RedCap effectively becomes the 5G evolution of that category.

Our 5G RedCap Testing With SIMCOM 8230

Simplex Wireless recently received a SIMCOM 8230 5G RedCap module for internal testing. The goal was straightforward:

• Validate compatibility with Simplex IoT SIM cards
• Confirm network interoperability in the United States
• Measure real world latency and throughput

Using our standard IoT SIM platform, we successfully connected the SIMCOM 8230 module to:

• AT&T
• Verizon
• T-Mobile

All three major U.S. networks recognized and authenticated the SIM without issue. This is important because real IoT deployments often rely on multi-network access for redundancy and coverage.

For customers looking to deploy RedCap devices at scale, multi-network capability is critical. Our global IoT connectivity portfolio, which provides access to hundreds of networks worldwide, ensures flexibility as RedCap coverage expands. More details are available at

https://www.simplexwireless.com/global-iot-sim-card

Performance Benchmarks: Speed and Latency

The headline figure often associated with 5G RedCap is 150 Mbps. However, IoT performance is about more than peak download speed.

Throughput

In lab and field testing environments, RedCap devices can approach LTE Cat-4 speeds under optimal radio conditions. While real world throughput will vary based on carrier spectrum allocation and signal quality, the architecture supports bandwidth that is more than sufficient for:

• Firmware over the air updates
• Video uplink in moderate resolution
• Industrial telemetry aggregation
• Router and hotspot use cases

Compared to LTE Cat-1, which tops out at 10 Mbps, RedCap represents a major jump in bandwidth.

Latency

Perhaps more important for IoT applications is latency.

In our testing with the SIMCOM 8230 and Simplex SIM cards, we consistently observed latency under 100 milliseconds, often significantly below that threshold.

Sub-100ms latency enables:

• Push-To-Talk applications
• Near real time tracking
• Responsive hotspot deployments
• Remote device control
• Industrial control applications

This level of responsiveness opens doors to use cases that previously required higher LTE categories or more expensive modules.

For customers evaluating RedCap devices, it is important to test latency in your actual deployment environment, not just rely on theoretical specifications.

What Use Cases Benefit From 5G RedCap?

RedCap is particularly well positioned for devices that require:

1. Higher throughput than LTE-M or Cat-1
2. Lower latency for real time responsiveness
3. Moderate power efficiency
4. Long lifecycle deployment

Some strong use cases include:

Push-To-Talk Devices

PTT applications demand consistent low latency and stable uplink performance. Sub-100ms latency observed in testing makes RedCap well suited for these deployments.

Advanced GPS Trackers

Modern asset tracking increasingly includes richer telemetry, firmware updates, and sometimes video snapshots. RedCap provides headroom beyond traditional Cat-1 trackers.

Mobile Hotspots and Routers

Enterprise routers and portable hotspots often used Cat-4 LTE historically. RedCap becomes a natural 5G successor without the cost burden of full 5G NR modules.

Industrial IoT Gateways

Gateways aggregating multiple sensors benefit from higher uplink throughput and lower latency, particularly in smart manufacturing and energy environments.

How 5G RedCap Fits Into Your IoT Connectivity Strategy

While 5G RedCap is promising, it should not automatically replace every LTE deployment.

Consider the following when planning your connectivity roadmap:

• Coverage availability in your deployment regions
• Cost comparison between Cat-4 LTE and RedCap modules
• Power consumption requirements
• Data usage patterns

For extremely low data applications such as simple metering, LTE-M may still be sufficient and more cost efficient. For mid to high bandwidth IoT devices, RedCap begins to make sense.

Simplex Wireless supports a wide range of IoT connectivity technologies including LTE-M, Cat-1, Cat-4, and now 5G RedCap. Our flexible IoT data plans and multi-network access ensure that customers can transition as technology evolves without replacing their connectivity partner.

You can explore available IoT SIM card plans here:

IoT and M2M Data SIM

Takeaway: Is 5G RedCap Ready for IoT Scale?

5G RedCap represents one of the most compelling transitions in the cellular IoT space in recent years.

It offers:

• LTE Cat-4 class throughput
• Sub-100ms latency performance
• 5G core architecture advantages
• Reduced complexity compared to full 5G

Our testing with the SIMCOM 8230 module confirmed successful operation across AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks using Simplex SIM cards, with strong latency and stable performance.

For IoT designers building next generation devices, RedCap is not theoretical anymore. It is becoming a practical option for mid-tier and high performance IoT use cases.

As RedCap coverage expands and module pricing matures, it is likely to become a primary technology choice for devices that historically relied on LTE Cat-4 or Cat-6.

If you are evaluating 5G RedCap for your IoT deployment and want to validate compatibility, performance, or coverage, contact the Simplex Wireless team to discuss your project.

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