Wireless Connectivity Voice of Customer Insights (English)

With the widespread deployment of 5G and IoT, the adoption of suitable antenna systems plays a pivotal role in advancing disruptive, high-speed telecommunications. New growth opportunities—combined with efficient spectrum use, enhanced service quality, cost optimization, and transparent operations spanning multiple technologies—are driving antenna development and innovation. 

But what are the biggest challenges when designing a wireless system? How vital is antenna choice to the design process? And what are designers looking for when choosing antenna products? 

We were able to derive critical insights revealing the wireless connectivity trends, challenges, and requirements across the home and building automation, industrial IoT, security surveillance, smart energy management and health & medical devices. 

To find the answers, we interviewed 174 engineers involved in wireless connectivity projects. More than half are either design or RF/antenna engineers, while over 60% have 20 or more years’ engineering experience. Almost half of the respondents work in the Home & Building Automation, Industrial IoT, Security & Surveillance, and Smart Energy Management sectors. 

As a result, we were able to gain deep insight into the latest wireless connectivity trends, challenges, and requirements for antenna products across the wireless communications industry. 

Almost 75% of the respondents are involved in creating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solutions. Over 50% also develop 5G solutions utilizing ultra-fast higher frequency radio bands and low-frequency bands under 6GHz. Over 33% develop solutions using combination antennas for multiple use cases supporting various wireless communication protocols. 

Respondents across the board ranked efficiency and bandwidth as their biggest challenge when designing wireless solutions, emphasizing the importance of selecting components that increase throughput and optimize efficiencies. 

When choosing antenna components, almost three-quarters identified product performance as the most critical selection criteria, with nearly the same percentage citing reliability as more important than cost when choosing a wireless solution. The next most essential elements dictating choice are the antenna expertise and engineering services of the antenna manufacturer, both of which are more important than the product’s cost. 

But it’s not just the choice of antenna that’s critical to the wireless solution’s overall success. Timing is also essential. As a core component, over 60% of respondents select their antenna products at the beginning of the design process and then choose other elements needed to create a robust, high-performance wireless solution.     

At TE, we’re meeting the challenge. Fueling innovation and empowering design engineers, we offer a broad range of antennas providing high-quality transmissions in wireless devices spanning a broad spectrum of frequencies. Our products, including both standard and custom antennas, are designed for use across various use cases, including automotive, commercial transportation, rail, and consumer device applications. If you want to be a part of the innovation revolution, visit us at www.te.com.