Colombes (France) May 20, 2011 – Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), the global wireless and broadcast infrastructure specialist, today announced its commitment to three major environmental protection initiatives: A progressive reduction in the use of PVC in RFS products worldwide, product innovations that help operators dramatically reduce their power consumption and carbon footprint at cellular sites and eco-sustainable operations at its global manufacturing centers.

The initiatives, all of which are already underway, demonstrate RFS’ dedication to protecting the environment in all aspects of its business. They also demonstrate the company’s proactive approach to environmental protection. While a potential EU-wide ban on PVC could be implemented in 2015 at the earliest, RFS is already taking steps to minimize PVC in all of its products and markets.

“At RFS, we are committed to using our engineering expertise to innovate and ensure that both our products and our operations reflect our strong commitment to environmental protection,” says RFS President, Stéphane Klajzyngier. “The initiatives we are announcing today help to reduce our company’s impact on the environment. Equally important, they help our customers and partners achieve their environmental protection objectives while keeping costs down. As we go forward, we will strengthen and expand our efforts so RFS continues to be viewed as a leader in environmental protection in the telecom industry.”

Although PVC is inexpensive and durable, PVC is a controversial material in that, unlike alternative materials, it may liberate persistent and potentially dangerous dioxins during its production, useful life and incineration, especially in accidental and uncontrolled circumstances. PVC is also among the least biodegradable plastics on the market.

RFS’ move to PVC alternatives can already be seen in some of RFS’ product lines. Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) is a durable plastic that is highly suited to outdoor applications, and can now be found in the radomes (protective enclosures) of RFS’ base station antennas. ASA is far easier to recycle than PVC, creates far less pollution in production and end-of-life, and does not pose a health risk in normal conditions, being suitable for contact with food.

In terms of product innovations, RFS has developed two offerings that help operators take advantage of power-saving Remote Radio Head (RRH) architectures. Installing RRHs close to antennas typically reduces power consumption at cellular sites by 50 percent. However, it means RF transmission, power and grounding cables must all be brought to the RRH on the tower or rooftop. Together, RFS’ HYBRIFLEX™ and DC-FIT™ products help operators easily and cost effectively upgrade to RRH architectures and realize the full environmental benefits:

·         HYBRIFLEX, a patent pending hybrid feeder cabling solution for RRHs, combines optical fiber and DC power for RRHs in a single lightweight aluminum corrugated cable. It lets operators connect up to three sectors with a single composite optical fiber and power cable. The grounding function is also incorporated in the HYBRIFLEX cable.  

·         The DC-FIT converter allows existing coaxial feeder cables to be used as RRH power supplies and as housing for the fiber optical data connection. 

To foster eco-sustainable operations, RFS is reusing and recycling production resources and packing materials in its global manufacturing facilities. For example, along with reusing crucial natural resources, such as water, the company recycles copper, aluminum, brass, scrap metal and electronics that are leftover from manufacturing. In addition, a UNIbin program ensures proper collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of oily and non-oily nonhazardous solid and semi-solid wastes. And a wood recycling program ensures the wood from pallets and from non-reusable cable drums returned by customers is graded and recycled.

All RFS facilities are compliant with, or certified to, globally-recognized environmental standards, including Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001.

Trademarks: Radio Frequency Systems^® and RFS^® are registered trademarks and HYBRIFLEX™ and DC-FIT™ are trademarks of Radio Frequency Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About RFS

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for outdoor and indoor wireless infrastructure.

RFS serves OEMs, distributors, system integrators, operators and installers in the broadcast, wireless communications, land-mobile and microwave market sectors. As an ISO compliant organization with manufacturing and customer service facilities that span the globe, RFS offers cutting-edge engineering capabilities, superior field support and innovative product design. RFS is a leader in wireless infrastructure.

For more information: www.rfsworld.com. Follow RFS on Twitter (www.twitter.com/RFSworld)

RFS Press Contact

Eric Giaretto

Marketing Communications Director, RFS

E-mail: eric.giaretto@rfsworld.com

Phone: +33 (0)6 80 26 42 40