In ABI Research’s recent release of its Passive Antenna Vendor Competitive Assessment, PROSE Technologies is ranked as the second-largest passive antenna vendor globally. Both the recent commercial achievements and the organization’s ongoing growth into being an independent, innovation-based provider of passive antennas show not only current momentum, but also longer-term strategy development.
From Rosenberger Origins to PROSE: A Structured Transition
The roots of the PROSE antenna business lie within the Rosenberger RF and connectivity group, where they built a reputation for providing precise engineering and quality manufacturing over many years. This legacy was the foundation on which PROSE would define its future market position.
The formal transition of the company from Rosenberger to PROSE Technologies began in the early parts of the 2020’s (the PROSE identity was created in 2022). During this timeframe, PROSE separated from the larger Rosenberger connectivity group, establishing itself as a dedicated company for the production and provision of antenna and networking solutions, all while maintaining continuity of operations.
Evolution of Product Portfolio and Adaptation to Industry Shifts
As PROSE continues to establish itself as the number two supplier of passive antennas worldwide, it faces rapid transformations within the passive antenna marketplace. The complexity of navigating different spectrum environments continues to grow, as does the necessity for operators to undergo strategic re-evaluations regarding how capital will be allocated in the wake of peak 5G investment spending. As a result, solutions that have the potential to simultaneously provide performance improvements and operational efficiencies have become very important.
As a result of these trends, PROSE has focused its portfolio development on efficiency, flexibility, and intelligence.
The development of high-efficiency, multi-band antenna configurations (i.e., 2L4H; 3L8H) has enabled the use of existing allocated and newly assigned frequency bands. The ongoing work on radiating elements and feeding networks gives the potential for bandwidth extensions up to and above 60%, which is increasingly important in a large-scale network deployment. In parallel, the movement toward hybrid antennas supporting Ultra-Wideband (UWB) applications has also been aided by utilizing Active + Passive (A+P) architectures and Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) designs, aligning with broader industry movements toward hybridized antenna systems capable of supporting UWB requirements.
The digitalization of antenna systems has undergone considerable development over the past few years. Such systems have been high-touch systems, adding a combination of Engineering Parameter Units (EPUs), beam positioning systems, dual Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking systems, multi-axis sensing, and algorithmically driven optimization, which has greatly improved control and automation. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted modules (PROSE AI building blocks and antenna module on board systems) have provided a significant amount of support for both installation and operations. This progression is in alignment with an overall shift toward making previously passive infrastructure more intelligent and more responsive.
Sustainability and Structural Considerations
Increasingly, considerations of sustainability are affecting vendor selection, particularly among Europeans and in Asia. PROSE's strategy is one of considering environmental elements when designing products and within the manufacturing process.
Design techniques such as aerodynamic radomes, lightweight composite materials and optimized structures have reduced wind load and overall impact of the site due to the design of the site. At the manufacturing level, using laser welding instead of electroplating, and utilizing green materials and biodegradable packaging are incremental changes that will have a progressive impact on reducing the environmental footprint.
These features are particularly relevant as procurement decisions become more linked by operators to their energy efficiency targets and their commitment to other areas of the environment. Additionally, there is an increased need for more durable, lower-impact infrastructure in both urban and rural applications to satisfy these operator requirements, which PROSE keeps at the center of its passive antenna innovation.
Market Performance in a Constrained Environment
During a period of uncertainty in the passive antenna segment of the market, PROSE has achieved number #2 status by continuing to grow market share, despite multiple headwinds. These include reduced operator Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) following 5G deployment, inflation, and changes to what types of solutions are preferred by operators, all of which have added to the complexity of the market. Furthermore, antenna innovation has also largely been focused on A+P antennas, thus creating new competitive dynamics within the antenna market. In spite of these challenges and the general slowing of the market, PROSE has experienced growth within its international passive antenna market share, moving from 8.5% in 2022 to 9.2% in 2023, and further increasing to 10.2% in 2024.
Regionally, PROSE has created a solid foundation with its operator partners in Asia-Pacific, as well as expanding its shares in Europe and India. In these areas, Operators are placing an increasing emphasis on network densification and sustainability, with PROSE’s product solutions fitting well into this need. Current relationships with leading operators such as Vodafone Idea, Airtel Group, and Viettel Group have also provided proof of PROSE’s ability to provide value on a global scale, primarily through cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency.
Ecosystem Positioning, Partnerships, and Supply Chain Role
Regarding market integration, PROSE is pursuing an increasingly flexible role as a high-volume manufacturer of antenna products as part of a broader multi-vendor RAN strategy. This role does not replace current Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partnerships but instead adds value in terms of interoperability, as well as providing suppliers with multiple options to create or diversify their supply chain. By working closely with major vendors such as Nokia, PROSE is helping to deploy its antennas within broader RAN environments where performance is prioritized, there is flexibility with procurement, and the reliance on just one supplier is reduced.
PROSE's role is strategically significant within the overall RAN supply chain; it effectively sits in the middle of the OEM-led RAN integration and operator-led sourcing strategies. This allows operators to leverage multiple suppliers while maintaining Radio Frequency (RF) performance continuity and accelerating rollout timelines.
Conclusion
Several attributes have positioned PROSE Technologies as the number two supplier of passive antennas globally. These attributes include legacy strong engineering capabilities, the ability to effectively manage transitions, and aligning with relevant industry trends. Since becoming an independent company in 2022, the transition has been smooth with limited disruption, allowing PROSE to enjoy a greater strategic focus.
Additionally, PROSE’s German-American foundation provides an additional competitive advantage in the current geopolitical environment, leveraging European engineering heritage with global operational flexibility that is becoming ever more relevant as operators are adopting resilient and diversified supply chains.
Looking ahead, PROSE will focus on high-efficiency designs, intelligent antenna systems, and sustainability. These factors, paired with multi-vendor ecosystems and relationships with major OEMs, create a great deal of strength and resilience as markets become increasingly selective, cost-contingent, and focused on building a resilient supply chain.
Download the Vendor Ranking: Identify the characteristics and unique selling points of 12 leading passive base station antenna vendors: Huawei, PROSE Technologies, Ericsson Antenna System, ANDREW, Comba Telecom, CICT Mobile, Tongyu Communications, ACE Technologies, Hengxin, MOBI, Dengyo USA, and HUBER+SUHNER. Download the report.
Matthias Foo