The digital communications industry supports the highest levels of global internet use, social media interaction, and financial inclusion. At the core of this transformation lies the telecom industry—specifically the mobile sector, as mobile users generate approximately 60% of global internet traffic.
A vital component of data transmission is communication antennas as they are essential for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals via wireless communication.
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The Birth of the Antenna
The invention of antennas in the 1880s is credited to Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist who first proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. Inspired by his findings, Hertz developed a simple dipole antenna to transmit the first radio waves between the device's twin poles, laying the foundation for the telecommunications revolution. Years later, Italian inventor, Guglielmo Marconi, perfected Hertz’s discoveries by designing a device capable of transmitting radio waves up to six kilometers, representing a groundbreaking achievement.
Another significant name in the evolution of mobile communication is Donald Lewis Hings, who, in 1937, created the portable two-way radio, aptly called the ‘Walkie-Talkie.’ Building on this progress, Martin Cooper, a pioneer in radio spectrum management, made the first-ever cell phone call during a 1973 press conference using a DynaTAC phone developed by his team to engineer, Joel Engel, head of AT&T's rival project.
The evolution of communication standards—3G, 4G/LTE, and now 5G—has necessitated the development of antennas that support higher data rates and increased bandwidth. These advanced antennas handle diverse frequency ranges and modulation schemes, delivering enhanced uplink and downlink performance, increased throughput, and improved coverage and signal quality.
As operators seek to optimize their return on investment (ROI) in 5G, antenna design and performance must evolve for both mast infrastructure and in-device applications to keep pace with innovation. Furthermore, the telecom sector contributes approximately 1.6% of global CO2 emissions, according to BCG findings. To reduce emissions and build greener networks, telcos must focus on reducing base station energy consumption—a major source of the industry's energy usage.
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The Impact of Antennas on 5G Monetization
Serving as a collaborative space for innovation, the 2024 Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit brought together industry leaders, who emphasized and discussed the importance of strategic infrastructure deployment to balance connectivity advancements with sustainability and 5G monetization. Across the Middle East, telecom companies are leveraging breakthroughs in antennas, AI, and advanced networking to unlock new revenue streams while meeting the growing demands of the digital economy.
For instance, Huawei’s Meta AAU (active antenna unit) improves bit-per-watt efficiency by 15–20% using advanced technologies such as Massive MIMO, SDIF (Signal Direct Injection Feeding), and Multi-band RF to lower power consumption without compromising user experience.
Similarly, Nokia's AirScale active antennas enhance beamforming and Massive MIMO optimization. Through beamforming, active antennas dynamically adjust signal phase and amplitude to focus transmissions in specific directions, improving communication links. Massive MIMO enables base stations to communicate simultaneously with multiple users by dynamically adjusting beams for optimal signal transmission. Nokia’s FastMile 5G mmWave Receiver is another example of how infrastructure solutions are overcoming traditional barriers, such as signal attenuation and obstructions, during the 5G rollout. Its advanced antenna technology addresses line-of-sight limitations, creating reliable, high-speed connections in densely populated areas.
Zain KSA's trials of transparent glass antennas underscore the potential of blending modern design with reliable performance to meet urban aesthetic needs. In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, CommScope's Oshiga highlighted the advantages of advanced base station antennas.
Consider our base station antennas—with this, combined with AI, we can increasingly pinpoint the exact location of a customer. This capability would allow us to customize the user experience.
By tailoring services based on precise user data, companies can introduce premium offerings, location-based advertising, and personalized subscriptions, directly contributing to 5G monetization.
du’s 5G-Advanced network enhancements in the MEA region exemplify how performance improvements drive monetization. By boosting uplink performance by 70% using techniques like three transmitter antennas (3Tx) and 2-component Carrier Aggregation (2CC), du has demonstrated the potential of increased network efficiency.
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Growth of the Mobile Sector
The 5G antenna market, valued at USD 13.60 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 38.41 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% between 2024 and 2032. The rapid adoption of 5G across industries and regions is driving this growth.
In the Mobile AI era, where intelligent services will become ubiquitous, robust network foundations will foster innovative applications and business models. These advancements will shift carriers from monetizing data traffic to monetizing broader user experiences. Similarly, the industrial sector will adopt intelligent services, creating opportunities for carriers to offer novel services integrated with connectivity.
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Challenges in 5G Antenna Design
5G/6G devices are expected to operate across sub-6 GHz bands and higher spectra such as millimeter-wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz). These higher bands pose challenges for antenna design in smart devices. Compact antennas, including conformal, planar, and linear arrays, must form phased arrays with high gain and directional radiation beams.
To achieve MIMO functionality, mutual coupling between antenna elements must be minimized. A typical approach involves sufficiently separating multiple antennas to ensure signal independence and isolation, though this can lead to bulkier systems and higher assembly costs.
Integration and miniaturization also present challenges for MIMO antennas, necessitating innovative designs to enhance overall system performance.
Designing an ‘Antenna-gent’ Future
In the Mobile AI era, innovation in antenna design opens new digital possibilities. The integration of network intelligence solutions has enabled telecom providers to deploy 5G networks with fewer antennas while achieving superior download and upload speeds. Emerging technologies like Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) are further revolutionizing the antenna landscape while the adoption of IoT smart meters, big data energy management systems, and deep-sleep-mode antennas reflects the industry’s commitment to sustainability.
Meanwhile, the development of 2D metamaterials for 6G satellites introduces a new frontier for antenna technology, promising enhanced signal quality and reduced interference for next-generation networks. Antennas are now being designed not just for technical performance but also for usability and environmental harmony, ensuring that the benefits of Mobile AI and 5G reach diverse communities globally.
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