Vodafone Tests AI-Powered Mobile Antenna That Adjusts Coverage in 20-30 Minutes

Vodafone is trialling an AI-powered mobile antenna system that autonomously adjusts radio coverage based on local demand and conditions, the company announced today. The self-thinking antenna, equipped with a robotic arm manufactured by South Korean firm HUMAX Networks, uses algorithms to rotate or tilt the antenna to optimize 4G/5G signal, with adjustments taking 20-30 minutes compared to weeks for manual changes.

The trial site in Tirana, Albania, demonstrates real-world application: during the day the antenna serves a shopping center, then automatically shifts coverage to a nearby residential area at night when internet demand peaks. According to Francisco Martin Pignatelli, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at Vodafone, the AI algorithm can "adjust radio antennas to optimise coverage and capacity without human intervention," marking an early example of Physical AI in telecommunications.