Mário Rui Santos, Wavecom

Name: Mário Rui Santos
Name of the Company: Wavecom SA
Business Area: Wireless Systems and Telecommunications 
Position in the Company: Co–CEO and Business Development Manager 
INESC TEC Centre with which collaborated: Centre for Telecommunications and Multimedia (CTM)
Project managers (INESC TEC): Rui Campos and Luís Pessoa
Title of the project: MareCOM, HiperWireless, WhereIs and Mobilizer 5G

What is your professional background with INESC TEC? 

Wavecom’s association with INESC TEC dates back to 2014, during the HiperWireless project. Given the good results of the project, thanks to INESC TEC’s expertise and its R&D project management methodology – which is very objective and meets our technology and product development outlook – the relationship improved with the development of an increasing number of projects over time.

Briefly describe the main projects you have carried out in collaboration with INESC TEC.

The HiperWireless project focused on the development of a microwave communications technology within the 17GHz band; at the time, this band was exempt from licensing, and the main goal was to provide systems equivalent to those existing in 5GHz bands, but with advantage of the limited interference potential.

The MareCOM project focused on the maritime sector. The MareCOM project comprehended the development of a high-availability, broadband and low-cost maritime communications solutions, which supported communities that operated in maritime environments, thanks to reliable broadband connections.

Very recently, we finished the WhereIs project, aiming to create location technology for indoor environments, and capable of addressing the needs in the healthcare and culture sector, by taking advantage of standard IoT protocols.

The Mobilizer 5G project is currently underway; we are working together on the development of 5G equipment for vehicular applications, as well as a 5G signal probe, as part of monitoring system for 5G services and networks. This project is an opportunity to focus on the development of products related to a technology that will conquer the global market. We are actually pioneers in the development of technology for niche products within the huge scope of 5G.

Moreover, we also collaborated in the consortium that won the tender for the supply of the network of digital terrestrial television broadcasting for the official regulator, ANACOM. This led to a project in which INESC TEC played the key role of scientific advisor, namely for the validation of the measuring equipment developed by Wavecom and, consequently, of the signals and overall performance of the monitoring system that was provided to ANACOM. The latter comprehends the analysis and data collection tools designed to monitor and publicly disclose the state of DTT coverage in the territory. It was also the beginning of a product named RPROBE, owned by Wavecom and Ubiwhere, and specifically dedicated to monitoring processes.

What are the significant outcomes of these projects that you can highlight?

In addition to the DTT monitoring project mentioned above, it is important to address each project individually.

The HiperWireless project focused on the development of a microwave communications technology within the 17GHz band; at the time, this band was exempt from licensing, and the main goal was to provide systems equivalent to those existing in 5GHz bands, but with advantage of the limited interference potential.

We were able to accomplish a pilot in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections, with corresponding hardware and software, and we were close to start producing a prototype. However, the regulation changed precisely at that time, leading to the licensing of the existing band. Hence, we lost this opportunity, since our solution became outdated from a commercial point of view.

Regarding the WhereIs project, we are trying to produce and apply for a patent for a specific technology. Wavecom perceives it as a strategic field, and we expect to have a line of products available for different sectors and markets: healthcare, logistics, culture and security.

The technology of the Mobilizer 5G is in the testing phase; we are already conducting an analysis of the 5G network coverage in the city of Aveiro with a particular monitoring system. Concerning the 5G terminal equipment, we are working on its development.

What is your opinion on your experience working with INESC TEC?

We identified several of INESC TEC’s strengths:

• an excellent team of researchers, deeply committed to the projects;
• a close relationship with the managing bodies, leading to simple and quick processes;
• keenness and willingness to listen to our opinion, particularly concerning issues, opportunities and approaches, demonstrating INESC TEC’s awareness of the fact that a company’s rationale is, indeed, the market;
• a very solid status/credibility, nationally and internationally, based on the quality and quantity of past projects, and also on the implemented collaborative culture;
• strong attitude of prospecting projects, while providing ideas and maintaining a continuous dialogue with us;
• appreciation and promotion of Wavecom as a partner, contributing to the continuous valorisation of the relationship.

What is the possibility of future collaborations with INESC TEC?

Wavecom is very active in identifying opportunities in the market and we have a culture of innovating to differentiate our offer. The close relationship that we have already developed tends to generate projects, either through our own initiatives or through INESC TEC’s initiatives.