Author
Philip Sorrells
One of the wisest men I have ever worked for told me that any problem that could be solved with cash, energy and creative ideas was not really a problem, just a challenge looking for a champion. Real problems in life, he advised, are those that touch your heart more than your pocket book. That was great advice, then and now, for keeping the right perspective about work and life. That perspective, coupled with an early seven-year stint as a quality engineer and manager, has led me to subscribe wholeheartedly to the old saying that “anything can be improved.”
The wireless world that we work in today has never had a greater need to adopt these perspectives than now. We are seeing the transformation of the wireless age right in front of us—an explosion of users, applications, technologies, and regulatory activities creating new opportunities for even greater subscribership and growth in the industry. And with that growth comes new problems, some of which we know and have always been formidable, but also omnipresent unk-unks (or “unknown unknowns”).
Take, for example, the task of building a cell site. How many variables are there? How many combinations of different components can be applied?
I did a rough calculation – starting at the top of the tower and working down, I calculate some 576 potential combinations of tower components. And that does not include variables such as multiple suppliers or other components needed at the site such as mounts, bias tees, surge protection, lighting, etc.
That is why having an experienced, total RF Path supplierlike Andrew Solutions is important and makes a difference. Total solutions are basically what my new job is at Andrew. If any of you know me, it’s likely because we met having something to do with base station antennas. I have moved into a new position, where I am now responsible for overall site solutions. My business card says my job is vice president of site solutions but I really like to think of my job as VP of Problem Solving, or better put – “Challenge Champion.”
So what challenges are you seeing in the wireless world?
