everything RF recently interviewed Muhammad Zubair, the Director of 5G & Open RAN at AmpliTech Group, where he leads the AGTGSS (AmpliTech Group True G Speed Services) division. With over 15 years of experience in the telecom domain, Khalid has worked with various 5G and Open RAN vendors since 2019. Before his involvement with Open RAN, his background was in RF planning and optimization, and he has collaborated with major traditional and now Open RAN vendors.
Q. Can you give us a brief overview of AGTGSS? When and how did the company start and what is its objective? What made the AmpliTech Group enter this space?
Zubair Khalid: AmpliTech Group consists of five divisions, one of which is AGTGSS (AmpliTech Group True G Speed Services). As a core component of AmpliTech Group, we have developed Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) and Power Amplifiers (PAs) and established our own MMIC design center. Our LNAs stand out in the market due to their exceptionally low noise figure, which is crucial in all communication systems. In 5G networks, where higher frequencies result in smaller coverage areas compared to previous generations (4G, 3G, and 2G), the low noise figure of our LNAs is essential for increasing sensitivity and gain. We believe that the current 5G speeds do not fully reflect the potential 5G throughput, particularly in the OpenRAN domain. Many Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have not been attracted to OpenRAN because of the lack of high-configuration radios. Additionally, in the USA, there are no radio hardware vendors developing such high-configuration OpenRAN radios.
Considering these factors, we plan to enter the 5G Open RAN radio space, with radios that incorporate our low-noise figure amplifiers. AmpliTech Group was founded in 2002, and the AGTGSS division was launched in early 2022.
Q. What products does AGTGSS Develop? Can you tell us about your product portfolio? How do you differentiate your products from other companies that develop RAN & ORAN Compliant Radios?
Zubair Khalid: Unlike other companies, the AGTGSS division of AmpliTech Group has not only claimed but also practically developed high-configuration 5G Open RAN radios with a 64T64R, CAT-B configuration. We successfully delivered our high-configuration radio to Northeastern University for interoperability testing. To date, no other 5G Open RAN Radio Company has delivered such a high-configuration radio to any MNOs. This has led most MNOs to request traditional vendors to open their front-haul for third-party vendor interoperability to achieve the true essence of Open RAN. However, these traditional RAN giants are still struggling to select their Open RAN partners since their expertise lies in proprietary end-to-end solutions.
At AmpliTech Group, we have developed not only high-configuration radios (such as 64T64R and 32T32R) but also open systems that allow any DU vendor to perform interoperability with our radios. Besides the 64T64R, CAT-B high-configuration radios, we have also developed an end-to-end Private 5G Open RAN (7.2x) solution, including our own CU, DU, and RU. These RUs are typically low and medium power, making them cost-effective and tailored to the capacity and throughput requirements of our customers.
Additionally, we have created a Network-in-a-Box (NIB) solution, integrating our radio with CU/DU in a single box for easy installation and cost-effectiveness. We also offer optimization services, including RF planning and optimization, to help customers identify the most suitable radios and solutions for their Private 5G needs.
Q. What stage of product development are you at? Have your products been commercially deployed yet? Can you tell us more about who has used them and where they have been deployed?
Zubair Khalid: We have developed multiple configurations of 5G Open RAN public radios that have been successfully deployed in various locations. Some of these radios were used for proof-of-concept (POC) trials, while others were commercially deployed by MNOs. In terms of Private 5G, we are about to undertake 3 or 4 significant deployments, with some commercial installations in the U.S. and others internationally. We have also successfully completed the POC for our Private 5G end-to-end solution. Regarding our Network in a Box (NIB), development is complete, and it is ready for POC trials and commercial deployment.
Q. What product from AGTGSS is getting the most traction? Can you tell us more about this product?
Zubair Khalid: Each of our products has its own importance. In the context of Public 5G, high-configuration radios are the main attraction for MNOs, while low and medium-power radios appeal to Private 5G customers. With the global rise of Private 5G, we are experiencing a significant demand for Private 5G solutions. The capabilities of the AGTGSS division allow us to customize solutions (including radios, CU, and DU) to meet specific customer requirements, setting AmpliTech Group apart from other Private 5G solution providers.
Now, enterprises and companies in the USA no longer need to rely on Chinese or other foreign companies for their Private 5G Open RAN solutions. AmpliTech Group stands out not only for being based in the USA but also for our ability to customize radios and solutions to meet our clients' unique needs.
Q. 5G Operates at different frequencies in different countries and regions. How do you address this issue? Are you focusing on a specific region or have you developed products for multiple bands/regions?
Zubair Khalid: AmpliTech Group's in-house design center enables us to customize radios to operate at different frequencies. This capability led to us receiving an RFP from the Canadian MNO "Bell, Canada." Due to Canada's unique frequency spectrum, not many RU vendors are participating in the RFP. However, our customization abilities allow us to customize radios to meet the specific requirements of MNOs, including adjustments to power, EIRP, carrier aggregation, IBW/OBW, and other parameters. We have already developed radios for multiple bands and frequencies, and our customization capability means we are not limited to any region and can operate anywhere in the world.
Q. What is O-RAN? What made you focus on developing products for 5G-ORAN Applications? What are the advantages and challenges associated with ORAN implementation?
Zubair Khalid: The core elements defining Open RAN include its open interface, network flexibility, involvement of multiple vendors in a unified network, and the RAN Intelligence Controller (RIC). These attributes set Open RAN apart from traditional network architectures. The ability for MNOs to select vendors based on cost and performance due to the involvement of multiple vendors provides increased choice and competitive advantages.
These factors are driving both MNOs and Private 5G customers towards adopting Open RAN solutions. This attraction has motivated AmpliTech Group to enter the 5G Open RAN market, developing OpenRAN products to accelerate network speeds by offering high-configuration radios. This approach allows MNOs to integrate our radios with any Open RAN DU partner of their choice after interoperability testing.
However, interoperability remains a significant challenge in Open RAN. MNOs cannot simply choose any vendor to work seamlessly with another; rigorous interoperability testing (IOT) in labs is required before deployment in live networks. To address this challenge and expand vendor options, the NTIA has established multiple Open RAN labs for extensive interoperability testing among CU, DU, and RU vendors. This initiative aims to provide MNOs with a diverse range of vendor choices, ensuring robust interoperability across the Open RAN ecosystem.
Q. Can you tell us about the O-RAN Services you provide? What does this entail? What inspired you to provide this service?
Zubair Khalid: For Public 5G radios, Private 5G end-to-end solutions encompassing our CU, DU, and RU, and our NIB (Network in a Box) solution, we offer comprehensive planning, optimization, and Tier-2 and Tier-3 support. This includes installation and backend technical assistance. We prioritize understanding our products to effectively assist customers in optimizing their networks.
Q. Does AGTGSS offer custom radio solutions in addition to standard catalog radio units? What is the typical timeline for the development of custom units?
Zubair Khalid: Certainly! We have the capability to customize radios according to customer specifications. The timeline for customization depends on the nature of the changes needed. For instance, if a customer wishes to adjust the frequency within the band where our radio currently operates, we can achieve this by modifying the filter without altering the PAs and other components. However, if the customer requires operation in a different frequency band altogether, we would need to replace the entire RF lineup in the PA boards and cavity filters.
The timeline for these changes varies based on the complexity and urgency of the request, as well as mutual agreement with the customer. Typically, major modifications requiring a complete redesign of the hardware, such as changes in IBW/OBW or adjustments related to carrier aggregation, can take approximately 5 to 6 months to implement.
Q. Can you tell us more about your sales and support channels? How do you sell your products and how do you provide global customer support?
Zubair Khalid: We have sales representatives stationed in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. The role of System Integrators (SI) is crucial in Open RAN deployments. We collaborate with multiple SI companies, whether they are local to specific countries or operate globally across multiple regions. These partnerships aid in deployment, with AmpliTech Group engineers visiting sites and providing continuous backend technical support.
Our sales team engages directly with local Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), understanding their requirements. We offer customization capabilities alongside our existing radios. Additionally, we focus on reaching out to Private 5G customers, providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions. This includes contracts for optimization and ongoing monitoring services.
Q. How does 2024 look for AGTGSS? Are there any new announcements or products on the horizon?
Zubair Khalid: We are witnessing significant opportunities in the Open RAN sector, spanning both Public and Private 5G. Recently, for instance, AT&T awarded a $14 billion project to Ericsson, requiring them to open their fronthaul for interoperability testing with other vendors, emphasizing the essence of OpenRAN. Similarly, NTIA announced $420 million to enhance Open RAN initiatives. Major global MNOs such as Dish Network, Rakuten, 1&1 in Germany, and others have already transitioned to Open RAN, while many more are currently in the POC phase or planning to enter the Open RAN domain.
The year 2024 is pivotal, laying the groundwork for Open RAN's expansion, not only in public networks but also in private 5G deployments.
At AmpliTech Group, we are continually enhancing the performance and quality of our 5G Open RAN radios. Following our development of the 64T64R, CAT-B configuration, we are now progressing towards developing ULPI radios, which are anticipated to meet the immediate demands of MNOs in the near future.
