Andrew Unveils Strategies for Network Evolution at CommunicAsia 2009, Expands Plant in China

(Business News & Technology News, 22 Jun 2009)

Despite ongoing global economic struggles, wireless technologies, networks and business opportunities continue to evolve at a good pace. As wireless operators and global OEMs look toward HSPA+ and next generation network technologies such as LTE and WiMAX, they are faced with three critical challenges today that can be helped solved by Andrew Solutions, the CommScope Inc. division that is a global leader in wireless communication systems and products.

The Company offers a suite of network optimization solutions that work together to help limit site maintenance and manpower needs while managing and optimizing the network. For example, the remote cell site control and monitoring solution, OneBase InSite, remotely audits network performance, sends alerts, and provides operators unprecedented control over remote electrical tilt antennas, amplifiers, thermostats, batteries and power levels. And Andrew’s SmartBeam antenna systems continuously re-balance traffic across all sectors, reducing energy consumption.

“Andrew knows its customers face intense cost pressures and is devising innovative technologies to help manage such concerns,” said Ben Cardwell, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific, Andrew. “Andrew’s solutions are not just for enabling wireless communications but for making them better and more profitable.”

Like most companies and global citizens today, wireless operators are looking at ways to “go green” and decrease their environmental impact. One major place to start is energy consumption and backup power. Andrew recognized this early on, which led to the development of its EcoPower hydrogen fuel cell cabinet solution that eliminates the need for lead acid batteries and diesel generators. Andrew’s integrated cabinets for wireless networks include high-efficiency cooling technologies, which drastically reduces energy consumption. And the company’s high efficiency power amplifiers almost double the efficiency levels of previously designed models, meaning more energy gets used by the network instead of being lost as heat. “Energy saving historically has not been top priority during network design, but the drive toward lowering operating costs is changing that mindset,” said Anil Trehan, chief technology officer, Carrier Solutions, Andrew. “Fortunately for operators, energy efficiency products and design techniques generally lead to operating cost savings in addition to decreasing environmental impact.”

As China Invests in 3G, Andrew Expands Suzhou Plant
Andrew recently announced the expansion of its Suzhou, China manufacturing and distribution center to better support customers. In operation since August 1998, Andrew’s Suzhou factory currently has more than 2,000 employees and a production area of more than 20,000 square meters. The expansion will increase the workforce by approximately 400 people and the production space for base station antenna manufacturing by 50 percent.

The highly skilled Suzhou workforce manufactures base station antennas for deployment in Chinese networks and for export to the rest of Asia and beyond, with all major frequency bands and technologies represented, such as TD-SCDMA, WiMAX, W-CDMA, CDMA, LTE and GSM. Andrew also manufactures HELIAX 2.0 coaxial RF cable, RADIAX® radiating cable, and cable components and accessories in its Suzhou facility. By making wireless products locally, Andrew can better support customers with complete wireless communication solutions and promptly respond to tight implementation and delivery requirements.

“With our vast experience in supporting 3G networks all over the world, we can offer our customers a broad solution portfolio and global experience at a lower total cost of ownership. As the wireless market continues to evolve, Andrew is well-positioned to help its customers succeed now and in the future,” said Cardwell.