Vodafone Trials AI-Controlled Mobile Mast for Coverage Optimization

Vodafone is trialing a mobile mast equipped with an artificial intelligence system and a robotic arm that automatically adjusts antenna positioning to improve 4G and 5G coverage. The technology analyzes customer demand, weather, and local conditions to rotate or tilt the radio antenna, focusing signal strength where it is needed most.

The trial site in Tirana, Albania, serves a busy shopping center during the day and shifts coverage towards a nearby residential area at night, adapting to changing usage patterns. Vodafone states the system can reposition the antenna in approximately 20 to 30 minutes, a significant improvement over the weeks or months typically required for manual adjustments.

The AI, developed by Vodafone engineers, directs a robotic arm manufactured by HUMAX Networks to make these adjustments autonomously. The system learns and adapts, allowing for dynamic signal distribution, such as prioritizing outdoor coverage on sunny days and deeper indoor coverage during rainfall.

This initiative is part of Vodafone's broader strategy to automate radio access networks using AI. The company views this technology as a step towards future self-adapting mobile networks, capable of efficiently managing varying network conditions and potentially reducing energy consumption.