Base station antennas are critical components of mobile networks, serving as the final link between radio systems and the air interface. Despite their importance, there has long been a lack of consistency in how antenna systems are specified, validated and integrated into networks. This inconsistency has led to inefficiencies in procurement, difficulties in multi-vendor environments, and challenges in scaling network performance. The latest publication from the NGMN Alliance, “Recommendations for Base Station Antennas”, aims to change this by introducing a harmonised framework for describing passive, active and hybrid antenna systems.
The updated document combines the previously separate guidance on passive and active antenna systems into a single, unified publication. Developed under the BASTA (Base Station Antenna) project, it defines a comprehensive set of electrical, mechanical and environmental parameters relevant to base station antennas. These include radiation characteristics such as gain, beamwidth, front-to-back ratio and sidelobe suppression, as well as practical aspects like dimensions, weight, connector type, wind load and ingress protection. For active antennas, it also defines parameters for beamforming capability, scanning range, traffic beam configuration and power control.
One of the key motivations behind the updated recommendations is the growing use of hybrid antenna systems. These combine passive elements, such as the antenna array and remote electrical tilt, with integrated active components like transceivers and digital beamforming units. Hybrid configurations are especially relevant in 5G networks, which rely on advanced techniques like massive MIMO and dynamic beam steering to deliver high capacity and spectral efficiency. However, deploying such systems at scale, particularly in disaggregated or Open RAN architectures, requires a standardised way to describe and compare antenna products from different vendors.
The NGMN publication addresses this need by introducing a structured methodology for presenting antenna parameters, including definitions, recommended test practices and digital exchange formats. Notably, it supports XML-based datasheets aligned with an agreed schema, enabling machine-readable processing of antenna data. This is particularly useful for operators seeking to automate parts of the network planning and procurement lifecycle, including performance comparison, site design and integration testing.
The framework also incorporates coordinate system conventions, including multiple spherical and Cartesian reference models, to provide flexibility in how antenna orientation and beam direction are described. This is essential for accurate modelling of antenna coverage and interference in radio planning tools. The document additionally covers Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) systems, including configuration management, software upgradeability and compliance with AISG protocols.
Importantly, the NGMN recommendations are designed to be implementation-agnostic. Rather than enforcing performance thresholds or mandating design practices, the focus is on standardising the language used to describe antenna characteristics. This approach ensures that innovative antenna designs, including those supporting new form factors or frequency bands, can still be accommodated as long as they conform to the descriptive framework.
A further advantage of the framework is its extensibility. While the current version focuses on antennas operating below 6 GHz, it is expected that future versions will include extensions for higher frequency bands and additional attributes such as energy consumption, carbon footprint and circularity. These sustainability metrics will become increasingly important as networks aim to reduce their environmental impact while delivering ever-higher performance.
The importance of this work becomes clear in the context of multi-vendor and disaggregated networks, where interoperability depends not only on open interfaces but also on consistent component descriptions. A shared vocabulary for base station antennas enables smoother integration, better lifecycle management and more effective use of network resources. It also reduces vendor lock-in and improves supply chain flexibility, which is especially valuable for operators pursuing Open RAN strategies.
As antenna systems continue to evolve, the ability to describe their behaviour and capabilities with precision will be vital. NGMN’s BASTA recommendations offer a practical and forward-looking solution, supporting both current deployment models and the transition toward future architectures such as 6G. By promoting transparency, repeatability and interoperability, this common language for antennas strengthens the foundation of mobile network infrastructure and contributes to a more efficient, open and sustainable ecosystem.
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