Everyday connectivity is essential, with antennas playing a vital role in delivering reliable signals from the moment we wake up to the moment we go back to sleep, for work, leisure, and daily tasks.
This places greater pressure on the delivery of stable, reliable, and accessible signals for an ever-growing number of connected devices. Added to the mix is the fact that delivering greater connectivity requires more antenna in many more places. This can quickly create an unsightly view particularly in historic cities and buildings. And with that, several challenges arise that require innovative technologies taking into consideration the visual impact of the solutions.
Antennas are the cornerstone in this wireless infrastructure as they transmit the signal from the core network to the final connected device/end-user.
Developing a wireless strategy that utilises antenna to transmit the signal from the core network the end user’s device, can help manage multiple needs. The three main ones are:
1. Rooftop Antennas
With the fast proliferation of 5G technology comes a high demand for antenna space on rooftops which are already saturated. There is also a desire for the unsightly antennas to be less visible – a particular concern for historic cities that want to protect their rich architectural heritages.
As a result, growth is booming in the Camouflage Antenna Market and it is projected to more than double in size from USD 1.8 billion in 2023 to USD 4.2 billion by 2032. Holding the greatest market share is the “city” segment. This is directly due to the escalating trends of urbanization and the need for uninterrupted communication infrastructure in densely populated regions. However, camouflage is becoming more and more difficult and expensive for different reasons: in 5G bands, materials used can have a greater impact on the performances of antennas than in 4G bands.
2. Urban Installation of small antennas
At the same time, antennas are being installed at lower altitudes, not only to help aesthetically protect cityscapes, but because more antennas need to be installed for 5G compared to 4G as the environment attenuates 5G frequencies more. However, costs, authorisations and even vandalism are among the significant factors that need to be considered.
At street level, Small cell solutions are a popular option. A recent study from Rethink RAN Research, reported there will be 1.56 million private 5G small cells deployed by 2027, a huge uplift compared to the 1,945 5G small cells deployed in 2020. The advantages of the technology include increased capacity and improved coverage.
Small cells bolster professional and managed services offerings and support partners specializing in “street furniture.” Some outdoor small cells can match power levels to specific needs, optimizing infrastructure investments.
Integrating small cells into the urban space is a challenge. One example to illustrate this was addressed by a telecoms operator when it brought 5G mmWave service to a downtown Dallas district. It explored concealment solutions that could keep them out of sight of the public while still maintaining the required level of coverage and very high network performance. The solution comprised of six wall-mounted enclosures providing 5G coverage across a four-block section of the district. All six enclosures were custom designed and custom coated to blend in to building exteriors at their respective locations.
3. Private coverage in proptivity: Wi-Fi or 5G
Indoor connectivity is essential. Currently, two types of networks are addressing this need: Wi-Fi and private 5G. Wi-Fi is a mature and globally installed technology that has evolved with advancements like Wi-Fi 6E/7, offering more frequency bands and capacity. On the other hand, private 5G, a newer infrastructure, provides advantages for large environments. While these two technologies will continue to coexist in the future, the challenge of seamless aesthetic integration will also persist.
Wi-Fi: a mature technology that keeps pace with developments in frequency bands and capacity
With aesthetics playing a crucial role in creating a pleasing environment, deploying Wi-Fi can pose challenges. Typically, Wi-Fi is broadcasted through access points (APs) with integrated antennas, often “white squared/circled boxes measuring 20×20 cm.”
An interesting example is seen in theme parks, where efforts are made to conceal or aesthetically integrate this equipment. They achieve this by camouflaging it within decorative elements or placing it in less visible areas to maintain an immersive experience. Imagine being lost in a hyper-realistic sci-fi setting or an enchanting medieval universe only to have the illusion disrupted by an obtrusive white plastic box. Think about wanting to take a picture for a memory’s sake.
To protect this immersive experience, theme parks invest in special architects, known as “The Voice of the Park,” whose role is to camouflage anything that may disrupt the customer experience. Currently, they hide antennas and access points by wrapping or enclosing them.
Universities, often centuries-old, face similar issues. Providing Wi-Fi in these environments can be problematic. Consider the oldest universities in Europe or North American campuses with colonial-era buildings from the 19th century.
Private 5G: a new infrastructure with advantages for large environments
A private mobile network is a another popular solution for maintaining operational continuity in large environments like airports, train stations, and ports. It offers dedicated, secure, and flexible connectivity, allowing businesses to leverage the speed and reliability of 5G without connecting to a public network. This can provide innovative solutions for critical uses, such as fleets of autonomous vehicles, automation, advanced video surveillance, augmented reality for maintenance, equipment location, and real-time flight information.
Recently, a travel hub became the first station in France to be covered by 5G, ensuring mobile service continuity for the eight million visitors it welcomes annually. France’s national rail operator is also providing enhanced connectivity to outside companies at one of its busiest stations.
This approach to connectivity is also improving business operations. A car manufacturer has created a private 5G network to unlock new possibilities in production with ultra-fast and reliable data transmission technology.
And here is the game-changer. WAVE hello to innovation!
These are not the only choices. You can avoid the fight for roof space, eliminate the need to impact urban environment aesthetics, and side-step the requirement for a new mobile network with several of our invisible, easy to install, technology agnostic, glass solutions.
• WAVEATTOCH is a gamechanger designed to address mobile outdoor network densification issues in urban landscapes by offering a seamlessly integrated glass antenna inside the building behind the glazing to enhance the network coverage outside. As a result, facades instead of roofs, can be used for deployment.
• In high aesthetically driven environments, any visual pollution must be avoided. With WAVEANTENNA (Wi-Fi / Private 5G), seamlessly integrated glass antennas discreetly enhance the visual interior experience without compromising on connectivity performance. They can be camouflaged as wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted signage panels, and thus integrated into the building’s overall signage system. This type of camouflage avoids overloading interior spaces with separate antenna boxes, manufactured in a particularly unsightly plastic This solution is ideal for high-end spaces as it ensures top-notch performance without sacrificing aesthetics.
These 2 innovations exploit glass-antenna technology to provide unique solutions to the 4G/5G/Wi-Fi antenna market. They meet both the need for densification of MNOs, but also the need for increased connectivity in aesthetically sensitive sites, where the presence of visible antennas is undesirable. They also deliver a camouflage aspect for customers with the integration into safety or functional signs in buildings because a beautiful antenna is an antenna that you cannot see.
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