5G REMAINS AN ESSENTIAL DRIVER

TRADE | TOURISM | TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2021 BRANISLAV STAMATOVIĆ,COUNTRY MANAGER FOR SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, R&M

R&M is a reliable partner that can be trusted by investors and contractors in the telecommunications sector – they can find quality solutions for FTTx, Data Center and LAN all in one place. It is well-known Swiss quality that makes R&M recognisable on the Serbian market

New solutions and applications in the LAN sector are targeted towards new markets, which are scaling up enormously, explains R&M Country Manager for Serbia and Montenegro Branislav Stamatović, adding that growth in telecommunications will continue to be at a higherthan-average rate in 2021.

How do you ensure the success of your clients’ projects?

Our own production allows us to help customers with special requests and needs. In order to be as helpful to customers as possible, we are trying to get involved in projects from their first stage. We start with Qualified Partner Program (QPP) training, which informs designers and installation managers about our standards and solutions and helps them improve their knowledge. Following proper installation and test measuring, R&M gives a 25-year system warranty directly to the investor. The investment in cabling represents only 7% of the budget, but 50% of all network problems. Cabling is like a road. If the road is bad, you cannot drive safely and fast, no matter what type of car you have.

Fibre to the Home (FTTH) networks are expanding due to remote work. What are the challenges?

There’s still not enough bandwidth. Furthermore, the infrastructure needs to be suitable for the type of data transport that end users are demanding – or it will simply collapse. Even the most advanced end devices will be severely compromised if they run on an outdated network. Bandwidth and latency performance can only be realised by bringing FTTx networks closer to the wireless connection point. This requires a dense optical backhaul network with antennas, integrated into fibre networks and connected to edge facilities.

What are the latest technology trends in the telecom industry?

The data growth in data centers is boosting demand for efficiencies in energy management and operational efficiencies. Migrations to 100, 200 and 400 Gbit/s will continue. This requires more cabling, Ultra-High-Density solutions, and Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) to optimise the usage of capacity and space. New solutions and applications in the LAN sector are targeted towards new markets, which are scaling up enormously, e.g. smart buildings, building automation and the Internet of Things (IoT). In addition, the All-IP trend, which allows construction technology and building management devices to communicate over Ethernet and IP, is set to continue. The development of fusion data network technology and building automation, which require numerous separate field bus systems, is also boosting demand. Power over Ethernet (PoE) will speed up the application of All-IP. In industrial automation,

we predict the rapid implementation of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), which provides high density for IP access, connection speed and ease of installation. Suppliers may therefore need to consider expanding their competencies in the area of industrial LAN applications.

Cabling is like a road. If the road is bad, you cannot drive safely and fast, no matter what type of car you have

Could you outline the drivers of growth in the telecommunications sector this year?

Growth in telecommunications will continue to be at a higher-than-average rate in 2021, while 5G remains an essential driver. Countless 5G antennas have to be connected with fibre optic networks, distributors and data centers - as the planned transmission performance can only be realised with Fibre to the Antenna (FTTA).