Irish technology company Alpha Wireless has won a multi-million euro contract with Korean electronics giant Samsung. The deal coincides with fresh investment by two AIB-supported venture capital funds.
Founded in 2008, Portlaoise-headquartered Alpha Wireless designs, manufactures and supplies base station antennas for 4G cellular and broadband networks globally.
With production facilities in Portlaoise and Taiwan, and offices in San Diego, California, Alpha Wireless base station antennas are used by major equipment vendors and operators, and now form part of more than 150 networks worldwide.
In addition to the Samsung deal, Alpha Wireless has announced significant investment from two venture capital funds supported by AIB Bank, which will enable the company to meet the requirements of the Samsung contract and allow the business expand its Irish operational capacity.
The AIB funds are managed by Enterprise Equity Venture Capital, who led this round, and ACT Venture Capital.
Expansion
Bryan O’Connor, head of deposits, investments and insurance at AIB; Alpha Wireless CEO Fergal Lawlor; and Tom Shinkwin, partner, Enterprise Equity
Alpha Wireless has produced the world’s first 2.5GHz 8 Port 90-degree Beam Forming antenna. This beam forming technology complements the next step in the evolution of 4G LTE, changing the way traditional antennas provide coverage.
It has been rigorously tested by Samsung in the US and selected from a small number of suppliers to form part of its next-generation 4G LTE network.
“This Samsung deal, along with other large operator deals, coupled with the investment from AIB-supported funds places Alpha Wireless in a commanding position for the global antenna business,” said Alpha Wireless CEO Fergal Lawlor.
“In just two months, we have grown employee numbers threefold at our Portlaoise base.”
