Vodafone uses satellite-guided sensors to align mobile antennas

A misaligned antenna could be the difference between mobile signal or not, that’s why Vodafone is using satellites to guarantee positioning.

Vodafone will begin rolling out satellite-guided sensors embedded within new radio antennas across its network, starting in Albania this September before expanding elsewhere. It’s a first for the industry and could spell the end of signal black spots that seem to appear in the most inconvenient places.

Currently, engineers scale masts up to 50 metres tall and manually position antennas considering a dizzying array of factors like azimuth (the angle relative to geographic north), tilt, and elevation.

It’s fiddly, imprecise work at the best of times. Chuck in a bit of unpredictable weather or the occasional earth tremor, and those carefully positioned antennas can gradually shift out of alignment, wreaking havoc with signal.

By embedding satellite-guided sensors within the antennas that collect GPS data and other performance metrics, Vodafone will know instantly when something’s not quite right. This information gets pinged back to their operations centres, allowing engineers to either remotely reposition the antenna or dispatch a team for trickier fixes.

Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer of Vodafone, said: “As smartphones pack in ever more functionality, network precision is key. Antenna alignment is now one of the most critical aspects when it comes to installing and maintaining high-performing mobile networks.

“By integrating sensors into new radio antennas, we can more easily fine-tune our radios to give customers the optimal signal quality.”

What he didn’t mention, but industry insiders will know, is that proper alignment isn’t just about customer satisfaction – it’s also about efficiency and cost. Misaligned antennas waste power, create interference, and lead to extra service calls that neither customer or operator wants.

The potential benefits for consumers of the satellite-powered antenna positioning system being used by Vodafone include faster data speeds, more responsive connections, and fewer of those maddening dropped calls just as you’re getting to the important bit of your conversation.

Vodafone isn’t stopping at static improvements. The company has ambitions to dynamically adjust antenna positions based on usage patterns—redirecting capacity to serve morning commuters, then swivelling to cover a stadium during a big match, or pivoting towards a festival site when thousands of music fans descend.

This satellite guidance system is part of Vodafone’s wider ‘Network as a Sensor’ programme, which is already doing some fascinating things with the company’s 160,000 masts across Europe and Africa. They’re even using mast-mounted sensors to forecast microclimate weather conditions, potentially providing early warnings for flooding and other hazards.

For the average mobile user, all this behind-the-scenes wizardry should translate to one simple outcome: your phone working properly when you need it most. No more walking three paces to the left and holding your phone aloft like some sort of modern technological offering to the gods of connectivity.

As our reliance on mobile networks deepens – from video calls and streaming to emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and remote healthcare – the importance of consistent, reliable signals becomes less about convenience and more about necessity.

If Vodafone’s satellite gambit pays off, other operators will surely follow suit. And that could mean patchy, unpredictable mobile coverage might eventually become a thing of the past.

See also: Ericsson: Firms say complex 5G rollout is holding back AI

Looking to revamp your digital transformation strategy? Learn more about Digital Transformation Week taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with IoT Tech Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, and other leading events.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Tags: 5G, connectivity, mobile, networks, satellites, space, telecoms, vodafone