AT&T Expands 5G RedCap Coverage: A Catalyst for Sustainable Growth?

AT&T is expanding its 5G RedCap network coverage nationwide, a lightweight version of 5G designed for IoT devices with low bandwidth, low power consumption, and lower costs. The technology is ideal for large-scale IoT deployments and is emerging as a game-changing connectivity layer for mid-tier devices. AT&T's 5G RedCap now covers 200 million people across the country, making it an essential enabler of AI-powered IoT innovation and deployment in the US.

AT&T has announced the nationwide expansion of its 5G RedCap network, a lightweight version of 5G designed specifically for IoT devices with low bandwidth, low power consumption, and lower costs. This strategic move positions AT&T as a key player in the mid-tier IoT connectivity market, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

The 5G RedCap network now covers over 200 million points of presence (POPs) across the United States, supporting a wide range of devices including wearables, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) gadgets, and various IoT sensors. The technology is tailored for mid-tier use cases that require less data bandwidth and lower power consumption compared to standard 5G networks. This makes it ideal for applications in sectors such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, energy, and automotive.

AT&T’s decision to expand its 5G RedCap network follows its 2024 announcement to decommission its NB-IoT network and replace it with more advanced technologies like LTE-M and 5G RedCap. The company has been working with industry leaders such as Semtech, Telit Cinterion, and Rhino Mobility to certify new RedCap modules, which will be integrated into 5G-based devices with reduced battery consumption and lower costs.

The RedCap standard, previously known as NR-Light, is positioned between low-power IoT (mMTC) and standard-performance broadband (eMBB) in the 5G NR power hierarchy. Release 18 of the 5G NR standard introduces enhanced RedCap (eRedCap), which further reduces capabilities and lowers data rate requirements, making it suitable for low-power wide-area (LPWA) IoT applications.

According to Omdia, nearly one billion RedCap and eRedCap connections are expected by 2030, driven by the growing demand for IoT devices in various industries. The total number of connections is projected to surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 66 percent over the period, reaching 963.5 million by 2030.

AT&T is not the only operator exploring 5G RedCap technology. As of November 2024, 31 operators across 22 markets have announced plans to deploy or are already testing 5G RedCap technology, including Verizon and T-Mobile in the US. This widespread adoption indicates the potential of RedCap to become a crucial connectivity layer for mid-tier IoT devices.

The expansion of AT&T’s 5G RedCap network is a significant milestone, positioning the company at the forefront of AI-powered IoT innovation and deployment in the United States. The company’s collaboration with key industry players and its commitment to reducing power consumption and costs will likely drive further growth and adoption of 5G RedCap technology.

References:
[1] https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250717/internet-of-things/att-intros-5g-redcap
[2] https://voip.review/2025/07/18/att-expands-5g-redcap-network-nationwide-iot-growth/
[3] https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/t-expands-5g-redcap-coverage-161200343.html