O2 customers can now use RedCap for smartwatches

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O2 Telefónica is now offering its contract customers a free 5G Plus Pack that supports RedCap (Reduced Capability) technology. As the company explains in a statement, the offer is primarily aimed at users of smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other power-saving connected devices. The Apple Watch, for example, falls into this category.

Unlike full 5G, RedCap works with fewer antennas, simplified protocols, and lower bandwidth. This is intended to significantly reduce energy consumption while offering a more stable connection than older IoT technologies like NB-IoT or LTE-M.

Manual booking required

The 5G Plus Pack does not activate automatically. Customers must book it manually in the Mein O2 portal, via the app, by phone, or in O2 shops. Prerequisites include a 5G-capable O2 mobile tariff, a 5G Plus-compatible SIM card or eSIM, and a corresponding end device.

If you change your tariff, the pack will be automatically cancelled but can be reactivated free of charge. The minimum contract duration is one month, after which it can be cancelled monthly. Those who do not yet have a 5G Plus-capable eSIM will receive information from O2 via SMS about the free exchange.

5G Standalone as the technical basis

RedCap relies on 5G Standalone (5G-SA), which O2 markets as “5G Plus.” The network exclusively uses 5G frequencies at 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 3.6 GHz, independent of the LTE core network. According to O2, the 5G Plus network is available to more than 90 percent of the population in Germany.

In addition to smartwatches, GPS trackers, sleep trackers, body analysis scales, connected household appliances, door sensors, cameras, and smart speakers also benefit from RedCap.

Competition still hesitant

Deutsche Telekom was the first to offer RedCap. While O2 is now actively promoting RedCap as a private customer option, Vodafone is still holding back with comparable offers. However, in the context of the announced 2G shutdown, Vodafone mentioned RedCap as a new technology to be deployed in the future.

The technology could become the standard for wearables in the coming years, as chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and MediaTek are increasingly offering RedCap-capable modems. This is likely to benefit other device categories such as connected action cameras, bicycle trackers, or AR peripheral devices.

(mki)