Advanced technologies for wireless

The Centro de Tecnologandia de las Comunicaciones, founded in 1991 at the Technology Park of Andalusia in Malaga and known to date as Cetecom, has announced that from now it will be called AT4 wireless. AT4 wireless, meaning 'advanced technologies for wireless', will be organised into three main divisions: AT4 Labs, principally involved with laboratory testing activities; AT4 Systems for the development of test systems in the telecommunications field, and AT4 Engineering and Solutions, providing engineering services and developing software and hardware applications for the communications field. June 2006 marked a two-year period since changes were made to the share structure of AT4 wireless.

This change was driven by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Enterprise based on the need to support the definitive national and international projection of the company, launching it as a catalyst for the telecommunications industry in Andalusia.

Its current shareholders are the Andalusian Agency for Innovation and Development (Agencia de Innovacion y Desarrollo de la Junta de Andalucia), El Monte, Veiasa and Sadiel.

Since the changes made to the company's share structure, results have shown spectacular growth with turnover reaching Eur 17.2 million in 2005, an increase of 56.36%.

In addition, exports have increased, claiming a greater share and reaching 63% of the total company income for 2005.

AT4 wireless is currently involved in a process of growth, supported by an investment of over Eur 12 million in R and D.

This process is expected to lead to an increase in the number of staff employed by the company, predicted to rise to between 350 and 400 employees by 2008.

In fact, this growth can already be seen if we consider that there was an average of 169 employees in 2005 and, so far this year, this number has increased to around 240 staff.

In addition, it is expected that the company will continue to enjoy an increase in turnover and growth in the international market.

'The new brand responds to the clear international vocation of our company and, of course, to our major involvement in the telecommunications market on a global level'.

'AT4 wireless appealed to us because it is dynamic and modern and, from the outset, we have sought to continue being innovative with this new brand', said Fernando E Hardasmal, Deputy General Director of Cetecom.

'We believe that AT4 wireless is the right brand for this new phase we are facing after 15 years and we expect significant international growth both in terms of sales as well as presence, along with leadership in the telecommunications market and a continued commitment to innovation, research and development'.

'We wish to establish AT4 wireless as one of the main R and D and I telecommunications centres in Europe', added Luis Fernando Martandinez, General Director.

As a part of this growth process, the company has established an R and D and I telecommunications centre which is also based at the PTA (Technology Park of Andalusia), very close to its central headquarters where the laboratories are now located.

The centre is due to open before the end of the year.