CommScope to mount Digital Forum in place of planned MWC 2020 activities

Advances in antenna design, open RAN interfaces and IoT management are just a few of the new additions to CommScope’s end-to-end portfolio of networking equipment. The company contends these innovations will be critical in simplifying 5G rollouts and growing operators’ enterprise business. The new products will be showcased during the CommScope Digital Forum on March 17 at 9:00 a.m., ET and 1:00 p.m., GMT and on March 18 at 1:00 p.m., ET / 5:00 p.m., GMT. CommScope says it's hosting this inaugural forum in place of its previously planned Mobile World Congress 2020 activities. That event, annually held in Barcelona, Spain, was cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

“We see 2020 as a year of critical decisions for wireless operators as they rollout, densify, and power their networks in a variety of bands while working on driving the standards and technology,” commented Morgan Kurk, chief technology officer, CommScope. “CommScope has access to extensive resources and talent gained from our 2019 acquisition of ARRIS and Ruckus that helps customers push the boundaries of technology as they unlock the potential of the 5G revolution.”

Kurk added, "Consumer use of smart phones, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and 4K video is driving operators to quickly build out 5G networks while still optimizing existing LTE networks. In addition, companies are expecting operators to bring the benefits of these networks into the enterprise. To help operators address the demands of consumers and enterprises and push the boundaries of technology, CommScope is announcing new solutions to its already robust portfolio."

According to a press statement, new solutions in CommScope’s 5G portfolio include: new narrow width and zero footprint antennas to address the issue of zoning restrictions and limited space, as well as installation time and complexity; simplified antenna connectivity with the M-LOC cluster connector as port numbers, confusion on wiring and complexity increase; the company's PowerShift platform in a single-rack unit to address the power needs of operators as they add more remote radio units that are higher powered.

Further, the company contends that new standards, products and solutions will give operators the opportunity to expand their portfolio of offerings, including managed services, for their business customers. 

To that end, CommScope’s new products and services in this area include: new Ruckus Wi-Fi 6 access points (APs) including the indoor model R650 and outdoor model T750 for faster and more deterministic wireless coverage in a wide range of use cases, including industrial IoT (IIoT) and ultra-high-density user environments such as stadiums, transport hubs and schools; advancements to CommScope’s OneCell small cell system including new 5G NR radios, 5G baseband virtualization and open fronthaul and management interfaces; and expanded functionality of the Ruckus IoT Suite, with a new integrated LoRa network server and advanced rules engine for an expanded IoT ecosystem supporting building and energy management capabilities, as well as vape detection in education environments.

Finally, during the past few months, CommScope has also introduced additional solutions for 5G deployments including support for sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G New Radio (NR) wireless connectivity on its NVG558 fixed wireless access (FWA) gateway platform. Combined with the platform’s existing support for 4G LTE and 3.5 GHz CBRS connectivity, these new capabilities expand operators’ ability to deliver triple-play services with the NVG500 Series of advanced PON, xDSL, and FWA gateways. The company has also recently launched advanced solutions for its Distributed Access Architecture and 10G that drive innovation for 5G and cable technologies.

To hear more about these new solutions, register to attend the CommScope Digital Forum, the theme of which is: "Powering the Present. Empowering the Mobile Future. Network Evolution 2020."