Now part of Amphenol, ANDREW will make its first big appearance, revealing its new identity, at MWC-25.
In the ever-evolving landscape of wireless communication, few names resonate as strongly as ANDREW. The iconic brand, with a legacy spanning eight decades, is back, now operating under the name ANDREW, an Amphenol company.
This revitalization follows Amphenol Corporation's acquisition of CommScope's Outdoor Wireless Networks and Distributed Antenna Systems businesses in February, 2025.
A Rich History of Innovation
ANDREW's journey began in 1937 when Dr. Victor J. Andrew founded the company. Over the years, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of wireless technology, from the early days of 1G and 2G to today's advancements in 5G. The company has been a pioneer in developing solutions that enhance connectivity and improve network performance.Today, ANDREW boasts a global team of over 4,000 employees, all of whom are dedicated to driving the industry forward. They provide mobile network operators and enterprise customers with simple, efficient, and sustainable wireless solutions that ensure seamless connectivity both outdoors and indoors, while also helping customers achieve their sustainability goals.
Addressing Industry Challenges
Mobile network operators (MNOs) are prioritizing macro network performance, sustainability, and standardization to evolve their existing infrastructure. This strategy is driven by economic reasons and sustainability goals central to MNO mission statements. Regulatory requirements concerning power consumption, component content, material sourcing, and other aspects are also influencing policies.
Focusing on macro network infrastructure is the first point-of-call for MNOs looking to maximize their return on investment (ROI) and drive customer satisfaction. Macro site optimization is vital for the successful monetization of ancillary services, such as fixed wireless access (FWA), which can replace residential broadband service and provide a lucrative revenue stream for MNOs with the necessary assets.
However, many traditional challenges persist. Utilizing the additional capacity of novel spectrum requires new or modified antennas, increasing weight and wind loads. Additional equipment also raises power demand, and zoning regulations may impose limitations on the size or appearance of a site. While small cells continue to play a role in addressing coverage gaps in high-density areas, their ROI is lower compared to the macro network. Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) offer an increasingly efficient alternative for covering indoor and mixed indoor/outdoor spaces and can be deployed either by the MNO or more economically by a neutral host provider.
To enhance productivity at their sites, MNOs are likely to implement a comprehensive approach, incorporating multiple technologies. This strategy aims to increase per-site efficiency, standardize site builds, and support sustainability objectives.
Debuting the “New” Brand at Mobile World Congress
At MWC 2025, ANDREW will showcase its extensive portfolio of solutions, including:
- Combined active/passive antennas that nest the active (5G) antenna behind the passive (4G/5G) antenna, placing two antennas inside a single antenna’s footprint without any degradation to either network’s performance. Such compact solutions are lighter, incur less wind loading, are easier to install, and less likely to trigger zoning challenges.
- Intelligent power management, including partially or completely off-grid power solutions.
- High-efficiency, low-loss antenna technology that enables MNOs to reduce power consumption at a site without impacting coverage, or alternatively, apply its existing power to cover an even greater area and potentially reduce the number of sites required.
- HELIAX® Connectivity Solutions that simplify deployment, boost quality, and reduce the cost of ownership by making Fiber-to-the-Antenna (FTTA) installations fast and easy.
- All-digital, Open-RAN DAS solutions, now featuring a simplified headend that connects the DAS and core network, eliminating the power-intensive conversion from analog fronthaul to digital backhaul. O-RAN (open radio access network) is an open ecosystem, working across multiple MNOs and networks on standard Ethernet cabling. This is more sustainable for both material and energy usage.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Today, ANDREW carries forward a legacy of innovation, integrity, close customer relationships, and expert support, built over nine decades of business collaboration.
The company equips mobile network operators and enterprises with the essential capabilities required to enhance outdoor networks and deliver a superior mobile wireless experience indoors, whether it be for 5G or future technologies.
