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One yr after the reintroduction of the ANDREW model to the market—now a part of Amphenol—the corporate is sharpening its function in an trade dealing with a brand new set of realities.
On this context, Pedro Torres, CTO Europe at ANDREW, shares his perspective on how the cell ecosystem is evolving—providing his insights within the following Q&A.
Cellular networks are at a pivotal second. Demand for conventional providers is flattening, whereas the necessity to monetize new types of connectivity is rising. On the similar time, expectations for ubiquitous, high-performing networks—each open air and indoors—are excessive.
New applied sciences, together with AI, are reworking community design and operations, whereas enhanced satellite tv for pc capabilities are introducing new dynamics of cooperation and competitors with terrestrial networks.
The important thing problem is obvious: networks should ship extra—with larger effectivity, adaptability, and intelligence.
What’s the function of ANDREW within the cell ecosystem?
ANDREW’s function is to allow excessive performing and environment friendly networks in every single place, from a packed stadium to a rural group, from downtown monetary districts to residential areas. In sensible phrases this implies
- Creating a large portfolio of options in collaboration with our enterprise companions.
- Combining international scale with native experience, which permits us to show new concepts rapidly into revolutionary merchandise and share finest practices with our clients.
What does “from the tower high to deep indoors” imply?
From the tower high to deep indoors refers to a complete method to community efficiency that ensures continuity of protection, capability, and effectivity throughout all environments. For us, at ANDREW it’s all about continuity.
The primary constructing blocks of high-performing networks are discovered on the cell web site: antennas, RF conditioning, energy options, and the telecom cupboards that shield and help this tools beneath totally different environmental and operational circumstances. These parts play a essential function in shaping person expertise, each open air and indoors, by delivering protection and capability whereas optimizing vitality consumption.The opposite key constructing blocks are devoted options usually deployed in particular areas with excessive enterprise influence (stadiums, airports, metro…). They leverage our ERA® DAS system.
How will cell networks evolve within the subsequent few years?
The important thing development is that challenges are rising.
Spectrum is proscribed, but the variety of bands deployed grows. Website constraints persist. And vitality effectivity is not non-obligatory. The main target is shifting from merely including extra {hardware} to designing smarter networks. Efficiency must be engineered inside these constraints.
On the similar time, networks have gotten extra automated and demand a continuing provide of high-quality knowledge to AI enabled methods.
That is one thing we will already tackle at the moment. Our antennas, geared up with sensors, can help within the set up, troubleshooting, and community optimization. These sensors can feed knowledge into AI-enabled methods, supporting digital twin implementations, in addition to extra superior planning and optimization options. Sooner or later, they might even be capable to sense their environment.
The way forward for community efficiency lies in intelligence, adaptability and programmability. Our merchandise additionally evolve in the identical course.
What defines a number one antenna producer?
A number one antenna producer is outlined by its long-term imaginative and prescient, scale, capability to innovate and to ship. This requires:
- Deep understanding of cell networks and applied sciences
- Robust R&D functionality to rapidly flip concepts into actual merchandise
- A complete portfolio to serve totally different deployment eventualities
- A resilient, regionally diversified manufacturing and supply-chain mannequin to mitigate dangers arising from geopolitical and commerce uncertainties
From a product perspective analysis has advanced considerably. For instance, historically, the main target for antennas was on particular parameters like acquire or beamwidth. These nonetheless matter, however they not inform a full story.
Having an excellent understanding of the connection between 3D antenna patterns and community efficiency is a should. At ANDREW we have now carried out in depth analysis on this discipline and have summarized the important thing findings in a white paper printed in 2025 (hyperlink). This paper displays the significance of antennas for cell networks and the implications on protection and capability. The shift is obvious: efficiency have to be evaluated at system degree, not simply antenna degree.
What are the important thing pillars of antenna innovation at the moment?
Antenna innovation at the moment is pushed by three foremost pillars:
- Effectivity – spectral effectivity, vitality consumption, house, windload
- Precision – enabling correct beam shaping and decreasing interference
- Simplification – decreasing deployment complexity and footprint
These pillars translate into tangible options:
- SEED® know-how enhances community efficiency and vitality effectivity
- CleanBeam™ improves beam accuracy and minimizes sidelobes
- MOSAIC® platform simplifies lively antennas’ deployment
Innovation is not about including options—it’s about delivering measurable enhancements in actual community efficiency.
What does the cell web site of the longer term appear to be?
The cell web site of the longer term is designed and constructed with environment friendly and sustainable options that allow a cheap RAN evolution and improved person expertise. It will probably serve one or a number of operators and is provided with options enabling automation.
What ought to operators prioritize at the moment?
Totally different operators have totally different enterprise methods, however generally they deal with three strategic priorities:
Simplicity – decreasing complexity in deployment and operation
Scalability – guaranteeing networks can develop with demand
Sustainability – optimizing vitality consumption and long-term worth
The objective is to stability efficiency at the moment with the pliability to adapt tomorrow.
