Key insights (AI-powered):
Positioning robust RedCap routers with less than 1W idle power closes the gap between the phase-out of LTE and the over-specified 5G for remote facilities. For operators and utilities, this will reduce lifecycle costs enough to justify active migration plans away from 4G rather than postponing upgrades. It also strengthens the business case for private 5G in hard-to-reach infrastructure, where wireless performance has historically conflicted with energy budgets. Overall, this move accelerates 5G SA and Release 17-derived IoT designs tailored for limited, long-duration industrial deployments.
The new AirLink® RX400 and EX400 offer future-proof 5G connectivity with sub-1W power consumption, enabling solar and battery-powered IoT deployments
Semtech Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance semiconductors, Internet of Things (IoT) systems and cloud connectivity service solutions, today announced two new AirLink® 5G RedCap router that fill a critical gap in industrial and commercial IoT: the need for future-proof and energy-efficient 5G connectivity, scaled to real-world IoT application needs.
“5G RedCap adoption is accelerating, with the number of connections expected to exceed 656 million globally by 2030 (including eRedCap)” said Shobhit Srivastava, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia. “The technology offers the right combination of attributes for industrial applications: 5G network longevity, energy efficiency and 5G performance that meets real-world industrial needs – without the cost premium of traditional 5G.”
“As LTE networks are phased out into the 2030s, 5G RedCap will provide enterprises with a deployment path that makes both technical and commercial sense.”
The new AirLink RX400 And AirLink EX400 Routers deliver 5G RedCap performance and consume less than 1 watt of power when idle. This enables deployment in remote, off-grid locations that were previously served by existing LTE networks or expensive, high-performance traditional 5G solutions. Both routers deliver the throughput and low latency required for IoT applications and feature a 2×2 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna configuration – to simplify integration into existing and new implementations.
Based on 3GPP Release 17 and the 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, 5G RedCap technology delivers improved network performance and future-proof longevity as network operators continue to modernize their infrastructure. The RX400 and EX400 support 5G RedCap but also LTE Cat-4 for flexible connectivity and instant deployment.
Industrial IoT in the area of tension between existing 4G and traditional 5G
“Industrial IoT is caught between traditional 5G, which is too power-hungry and expensive for off-grid applications, and 4G LTE networks, which have limited long-term viability.” said Kinana Hussain, vice president of AirLink network solutions at Semtech. “AirLink 5G RedCap routers are a game-changer. With sub-1W power consumption and a rugged design engineered for extreme conditions, these RedCap routers deliver 5G at IoT economics. This allows customers to upgrade their networks today to match the long lifespan that industrial operations require, finally providing a sustainable way to connect remote critical infrastructure.”
Key applications and use cases
The energy efficiency of both routers of less than 1 W enables completely new 5G application scenarios:
- Remote infrastructure monitoring: Off-Grid Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) backhaul in energy and utility operations
- Monitoring critical infrastructure: Remote monitoring of systems in oil and gas
- Distributed commercial IoT: retail, manufacturing and agricultural operations
- Temporary installations: Mobile operations where grid power is unavailable or costs are prohibitive
AirLink RX400: Rugged 5G RedCap router for outdoor environments
The AirLink RX400 is the most energy efficient in the industry 5G RedCap router* with robust IP64 and MIL-STD-810H design for demanding outdoor environments and applications that require maximum reliability. The combination of robust design and low power consumption optimizes it for critical infrastructure applications where grid power is not available and enables solar-powered operation in remote locations.
The router supports global private LTE and 5G bands, including Anterix Band 106 (900 MHz spectrum standardized under 3GPP Release 18), providing the versatility and future-proofing essential for mission-critical energy, utility and industrial deployments. The router also features a single/dual serial port, a single Gigabit Ethernet port, edge computing capabilities, and optional Wi-Fi 6.
AirLink EX400: Semi-robust design for commercial IoT
The AirLink EX400 features a semi-rugged design for use in retail, manufacturing and agricultural IoT applications. The router has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, edge computing capabilities and optional Wi-Fi 6.
Comprehensive network management
The RX400 and EX400 include one year of AirLink Complete with hardware warranty, 24/7 support and remote management via the cloud-based AirLink Management Service (ALMS) platform. This allows organizations to securely monitor, manage and automatically update router deployments at scale without overwhelming IT support teams.
Semtech is also expanding management options for its AirLink OS-based routers – including AirLink RX400 and AirLink EX400 – with optional management via the AirLink Manager (AM) and AirLink Mobility Manager (AMM) platforms. These management solutions can be hosted or deployed on-premises, giving AirLink customers the flexibility to choose the management solution that best suits their operational and organizational needs – leveraging the same field-tested management infrastructure trusted by leading energy and industrial companies worldwide.
Availability
The AirLink RX400 and EX400 routers are available to order now through qualified Semtech authorized AirLink resellers.
*Based on comparison of market available data as of November 2025 for comparable MIL-STD-810H IP64 5G RedCap rugged routers
