5G and IoT: What Will It Take for Them to Get Along?
Thomas Keller, Director of Platforms and Core Technology at u-blox, discusses the challenges of integrating low-power IoT devices with 5G networks. He explains that while 5G was designed for high capacity and low latency, the industry currently relies on LTE-based technologies like Cat M1 and NB-IoT for IoT, with 'RedCap' (Reduced Capability) devices emerging as a transitional 5G standard. Keller highlights the tension between network operators needing to support legacy LTE infrastructure and the long-term shift to 5G Standalone, noting that true low-power 5G IoT optimization will take several specification releases to mature.