Rohde & Schwarz: Supporting end-to-end device and network testing in telecom

As connectivity demands continue to rise globally as well as in India, and as new technologies such as 5G, 6G and artificial intelligence (AI) mature, there is growing pressure on testing frameworks to keep pace. In an interview with tele.net, Mahesh Kumar Basavaraju, Market Segment Manager – Wireless Communication, Rohde & Schwarz (R&S), share his views on the key trends shaping the test and measurement (T&M) industry and the company’s role in supporting these developments. Edited excerpts from the interview…

What are the key emerging trends in wireless communication?

Globally, the industry is entering the early phase of 6G development, with a focus on areas such as integrated sensing and communications, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) for seamless connectivity. AI is another major driver of change. Earlier, AI was treated as a separate capability, but as we move toward 6G, AI will become an integral part of network design and operation. There is a growing focus on embedding native AI within 6G systems to enable intelligent, self-optimising networks.

The industry is also progressing toward Wi-Fi 8, and over the past year, we have been working closely with major chipset vendors to support its development. The first commercial Wi-Fi 8 products are expected to enter the market next year.

What are R&S’s current focus areas in telecom?

In telecom, our focus spans the entire value chain, from chipset development for emerging technologies to conformance testing and production-level validation. Our portfolio also addresses the various needs of research and development (R&D) and production environments. In R&D, high-performance and flexible platforms are essential for innovation and experimentation. In contrast, production set-ups require compact, robust and easy-to-use systems for large-scale testing. We cater to both, ensuring seamless continuity from design and development to manufacturing. Technology-wise, we cover both cellular and non-cellular domains including 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi and satcom. On the infrastructure front, we are actively engaged in open radio access network (O-RAN), private 5G networks and NTN, which are the key themes across the industry today.

In India, there is growing momentum around local testing and certification. Regulatory bodies are now working to make testing mandatory, which will increase demand for advanced test systems in domestic labs. This development aligns well with our capabilities, as more Indian labs adopt R&S systems to support end-to-end device and network testing locally.

How is the company contributing to satellite-based technologies?

Our solutions focus on testing user and access equipment that supports satcom, including NB-NTN, NTN-NR and direct-to-cell systems. We provide testing for both user equipment and satellite access components across all altitudes including high altitude platform stations, low-earth orbit, middle-earth orbit and geostationary earth orbit. Alongside this, we benchmark and validate the energy efficiency of the hardware used in these systems, supporting the broader satcom ecosystem.

How are you approaching AI?

There are two main aspects to our approach to AI. The first is using AI to simplify the operation of our instruments. Traditionally, our systems required programming knowledge in languages such as C++, which made test automation complex. Today, we use Python, and we have recently added an AI scripting assistant that allows users to input test ideas in natural language. The system then automatically converts those inputs into executable scripts. The second aspect involves enabling AI testing itself. There are multiple AI models that operate across network layers, some run on the infrastructure side, others on user devices and a few spanning both. We provide open interfaces that allow customers to integrate their AI models into our test environments. This enables them to run simulations, benchmark performance and perform end-to-end testing, even before physical hardware or infrastructure is available.

Going forward, what will be the company’s key priorities?

Collaboration is a core part of our strategy. We are partnering with companies that complement our portfolio and working closely with India’s expanding ecosystem of indigenous technology developers. Increasingly, Indian companies are not just adopting global technologies but designing and manufacturing for global markets, and we are enabling that through our test platforms. We are also part of the Bharat 6G Alliance, where we aim to contribute to the creation of intellectual property and support the government’s efforts to set up advanced 6G testbeds. Drawing on our global experience, we aim to bring best practices, technical expertise and innovation frameworks to India, ensuring that the country plays an active role in shaping the 6G era.