Andrew Solutions, a specialist in wireless communication systems and products, has teamed up with Turkey's three mobile operators to ensure reliable wireless signals reach 2G and 3G subscribers throughout Istanbul's new Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
The three operators-AVEA, Turkcell and Vodafone-led the project, Andrew supplied its ION-M optical distributed antenna system (DAS), and Mikom Microwave, Andrew's business partner in Turkey, assisted with system design and commissioning. Andrew's ION-M is a multi-operator coverage and capacity solution, supporting the operators' 2G and 3G subscribers in the airport. ION-M transmits wireless signals across both fiber optic and coaxial cables to remote antennas from a master unit. The result is clear wireless coverage for travelers and employees throughout the Sabiha Gokcen Airport campus.
"Andrew's DAS solution is the first Turkish installation to support three frequency bands and three wireless operators with one dynamic system," said Andrea Casini, Andrew's vice president of sales and marketing, Europe, Middle East, North Africa. "We are pleased to bring the coverage and capacity solution deployed in airports, subway systems, sports stadiums, and other large structures around the globe to Turkey's new airport."
Andrew's ION-M system supports both GSM and UMTS frequency bands in the Sabiha Gokcen Airport, and plans are underway to install a similar wireless coverage solution in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, as well. Because the ION-M supports multiple operators with one network infrastructure, installation time and aesthetic impact inside the airport are limited
"Andrew's ION system was chosen by the mobile operators because its superior performance for providing multi-operator, multi-band mobile indoor networks has been proven in many demanding projects in the field," said Engin Arikan, chief executive officer of Mikom. "Andrew's extensive experience with such projects also made the entire process run smoothly."