Air5, a newly established technology company from Silicon Valley focused on unifying wired and wireless networks, has appointed seasoned wireless expert Jeff Brown as its CEO. The company has also unveiled its patent-pending network architecture based on 5G standards, which promises to harmonise previously incompatible broadband infrastructures. This approach enables a 5G-based network architecture to work seamlessly with the cable industry’s existing hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) infrastructure, alongside the current DOCSIS standard.
The company has also attracted a distinguished executive team and advisory board, comprising renowned global C-level technologists and industry leaders from prestigious cable, wireless, and tech companies, including Liberty Global, Ericsson, Vodafone, Cisco, Charter, Comcast, Motorola, and AT&T. These industry pioneers will contribute to the ongoing development and realisation of Air5’s ambitious vision.
By integrating wireless and wired broadband networks into a unified 5G infrastructure, Air5’s architecture will foster the development of more innovative, interconnected mobile solutions and enhance the capacity to drive customer growth across both wired and wireless domains. The company also anticipates that its technology will deliver faster speeds, higher security levels, and a seamless transition path for existing broadband systems to adopt Air5’s architecture, while simplifying the adoption of AI advancements already embedded in 5G technology.
“The new Air5 technology is creating a disruption of 5G beyond mobile and fixed wireless access into cable broadband, with higher speed, elevated efficiencies and new broadband experiences delivered to the combined customer base,” said Dr. Jan Uddenfeldt, Co-Founder of Air5 and former CTO of Ericsson. Uddenfeldt is considered the godfather of today’s wireless technology standards, is a member of the Wireless Hall of Fame and brings 45 years’ experience in the field from roles at Ericsson, Sony and twenty Silicon Valley startups.
“Air5’s collective global wireless and cable technology team will ensure our technology will address domestic and international opportunities and issues as they pertain to the integration of 5G across all industries,” added Lorenz Glatz, Co-Founder of Air5, former CTO of Kabel Deutschland (Vodafone) and former SVP of Design and Architecture at Liberty Global. “This is a rare melding of executives to drive the new and improved meaning of wireless and wired broadband convergence.”
Jeff Brown, with extensive experience in the wireless sector and a track record of leading eight companies as CEO, including roles at PacTel Cellular (Verizon) and McCaw Cellular (AT&T Wireless), expressed his enthusiasm:
“Air5’s one-of-a-kind 5G-standards-based architecture will provide a significant boost for all wireless and cable operators by facilitating a richer, broader, more accessible infrastructure for innovation and customer engagement,” said Brown. “Our solution will enable new capabilities, services and economies of scale, while allowing operators to leverage Artificial Intelligence and other burgeoning new technologies already being integrated into operations and customer solutions for these networks.”
“Jeff Brown brings a stellar track record of successful operational performance and vision in the wireless and technology industries,” said Sudhir Ispahani, Executive Chairman of Air5 and former CTO of Liberty Global. “We are extremely pleased to have Jeff join the Air5 team and look forward to benefiting from his exceptional leadership skills and deep industry expertise and experience.”
Long-standing cable industry leaders agree that Air5’s technology will empower cable companies to better differentiate themselves and enhance customer engagement through advanced 5G capabilities.
“As cable companies continue their successful traction in the mobile sector, in order to maintain that success and achieve profitability, the network model must evolve to support additional growth and drive owners’ economics,” said Marwan Fawaz, Air5 advisory board member.
According to Statista, the number of 5G mobile subscriptions globally is projected to reach 2.17 billion in 2024, up from 1.58 billion the previous year, and is expected to exceed 5.56 billion by the end of the decade, with 5G set to overtake 4G as the world’s dominant mobile network technology.
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