India’s Idea Cellular Makes the Switch To Smoothwall RF Feeder Cable

HICKORY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Idea Cellular Ltd., India’s third largest wireless operator, has chosen to reap the benefits of CommScope’s superior performance smoothwall RF feeder coaxial cable, replacing most use of traditional corrugated copper cabling in its network.

In choosing HELIAX® FXL smoothwall cable, Idea will utilize the high performing coaxial cable in their base station sites in India. The FXL smoothwall cable, already installed in more than 100,000 sites throughout India and in use in nations around the world, is delivering a new level of benefits in wireless network performance and reliability compared to its corrugated copper predecessor HELIAX VXL.

Featuring a patented microcell dielectric and foam-filled inner conductor, HELIAX FXL offers the advantages of:

• Faster and Easier Deployments - Lighter, stronger and flexible cable
• Cost Savings - Less tower loading, lower freight costs and minimal maintenance
• Superior Performance and Efficiency - Lower attenuation, helping data move faster and more efficiently across networks
• Reliability and Consistency - Field proven, excellent weather resistance

Competition for subscribers is intense in the rapidly expanding Indian wireless marketplace, raising the stakes for operators as they balance the need for the highest performance in their networks while keeping costs low.

“HELIAX 2.0 FXL smoothwall cable from CommScope is a great choice for operators and OEMs in India because of its superior performance and cost efficiency as compared to standard corrugated copper cable,” said Stan Catey, senior vice president and general manager, Cable Products, CommScope. “The smoothwall cable is built to ensure the operator receives a consistent quality connection, plus it offers a significant immediate cost savings over corrugated copper cable.”

With more than 100 million feet already deployed worldwide, HELIAX FXL cable is paving the way for an eco-friendly communications infrastructure in India and around the world. The smoothwall cable recently won the Golden Award for Green Communication Energy-Efficiency Technology in China. Compared with traditional all-copper cables, HELIAX FXL is more energy-efficient, durable and has greater flexibility. In addition, it requires less electric power and fuel to manufacture and transport. And, with its aluminum outer conductor, it is less prone to the theft issues that have been affecting network components made entirely from copper.

“Throughout our relationship, CommScope has always produced quality, durable cables that help us reach out to our customers with the latest and most innovative technology,” said Anil Tandan, chief technology officer, Idea Cellular Ltd. “Deploying HELIAX FXL smoothwall cable enables us to evolve our wireless networks while remaining conscious of its energy footprint.”

In response to the discontinuation of HELIAX VXL, CommScope has made significant investments to localize FXL cable production at its manufacturing center in Goa, India. Additional production facilities supporting FXL are strategically located in North America and China.

About CommScope:

CommScope (www.commscope.com) has played a role in virtually all the world’s best communication networks. We create the infrastructure that connects people and technologies through every evolution. Our portfolio of end-to-end solutions includes critical infrastructure our customers need to build high-performing wired and wireless networks. As much as technology changes, our goal remains the same: to help our customers create, innovate, design, and build faster and better. We’ll never stop connecting and evolving networks for the business of life at home, at work, and on the go.

This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.