US : Andrew Wireless Solutions, the CommScope division that provides communications systems and products, has introduced a digital, multi-band selective repeater that enables building cost-effective indoor coverage.

Andrew's Node A RF Enhancer supports a combination of narrowband channels and individual band segments in one unit--whether 2G, 2.5G, 3G, or 4G cellular, iDEN, TETRA, VHF, or the recently auctioned 700 MHz or other frequency bands. Wireless operators can use the Node A to bring all of their outdoor frequency bands into small- and mid-size buildings, or, if used in conjunction with Andrew's Intelligent Optical Network (ION) family of products, cover large venues. The Node A is an alternative to installing new base stations, performing the same function but at lower costs, the company noted.

"Our Node A RF Enhancer enables customers to build smaller indoor networks today and migrate them to new frequencies and technologies tomorrow," said Matt Melester, Vice President, Wireless Innovations Worldwide Business Operations, Andrew. "The Node A is customizable to the frequencies most needed by the user and is ready to support future protocols as they emerge."

In addition to wireless operators, the Andrew Node A is ideal for other potential customers, such as building owners who need to support multiple forms of wireless communications, including mission-critical systems.

The company noted that another market for Node A is in the healthcare industry, which is experiencing a boom in wireless deployments within hospitals and across medical campuses. Wireless portable devices improve work flow, productivity, and process automation with electronic patient records, remote patient monitoring, staff location tracking, and other innovations. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) smart phones reduce voice costs and increase staff mobility. Healthcare facilities are some of the most RF intensive environments with more and more devices going wireless. Andrew's Node A can help manage the wireless spectrum available to this multitude of devices.

"Some organizations are deploying other coverage products like bi-directional amplifiers and distributed antenna systems to bring wireless signals indoors," said Melester. "But many of these products do not account for potential interference problems or provision for future technologies like Andrew's Node A."

Andrew will display its Node A and other products in Las Vegas at the CTIA Wireless 2008 show April 1-3.