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JMA Wireless
JMA Wireless
from Wikipedia

JMA Wireless is an American wireless networking hardware manufacturing company in Syracuse, New York. It was founded in 2012 by the current chief executive officer John Mezzalingua.[3][4][5]

Key Information

It offers Open-RAN compliant 5G Radio access network (RAN) products, 5G millimeter wave products, private wireless technology hardware products, focusing on design, code, and manufacture of 4G and 5G devices in the United States. JMA Wireless created the first fully virtualized RAN for carrier and private networks as well as the first indoor 5G millimeter wave radio in the United States.[6][7]

On May 19, 2022, JMA Wireless and Syracuse University announced the signing of a 10-year naming rights deal of the on-campus stadium, renaming the Carrier Dome after 42 years. The stadium was renamed as the JMA Wireless Dome, referred to as the JMA Dome.[8][9]

History

[edit]

The company was founded in 2012 by John D. Mezzalingua as John Mezzalingua Associates LLC, initially employing about 150 people.[10] He previously ran the Production Products Company (PPC), which was sold to Belden Incorporated for $515.7 million.[11]

The headquarters, located in Clay, New York was expanded in 2017.[12] In 2021, the company operated manufacturing facilities in Syracuse,[6] with additional R&D, manufacturing, and sales staff Dallas, Austin, Chicago, Boulder, Richmond, VA, and Europe.[2] In 2022, the company's $100 million 5G manufacturing campus was inaugurated by New York state Governor Kathy Hochul.[13][14]

It is a member of the Wireless Infrastructure Association.[15]

Software and other technology

[edit]

JMA Wireless operates on a software-based XRAN architecture, which integrates processes into a single common server and removes the need for radios and jumpers in Distributed antenna system (DAS) deployments.[16]

In 2018, JMA Wireless acquired 5G radio provider PHAZR for an undisclosed amount. The deal allowed JMA Wireless to offer 5G RAN technologies that supports spectrum from 600 MHz all the way up to 47 GHz.[17][18]

Notable projects

[edit]

JMA Wireless has deployed 5G in many large stadiums including SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles),[19] Fiserv Forum (of the Milwaukee Bucks),[20] Golden 1 Center (of the Sacramento Kings), JMA Wireless Dome[8] (of Syracuse University),[21][22] and other large settings, such as Carnegie Mellon University,[23] the city of Tucson,[2] American Dream Meadowlands, Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Midtown,[24] and the Stadio Olimpico in Italy.[25]

References

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from Grokipedia
JMA Wireless is a privately held American wireless technology company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Syracuse, New York. Specializing in mobile wireless connectivity solutions, it designs and manufactures hardware such as distributed antenna systems (DAS), 5G-ready antennas, multi-beam antennas, compression connectors, and private wireless networks for applications in macro infrastructure, indoor/outdoor coverage, and industries including telecommunications, real estate, sports and entertainment, hospitality, and manufacturing. The company, led by founder and CEO John Mezzalingua, emphasizes domestically produced innovations to address infrastructure reliability and service operations in wireless networks. JMA Wireless is recognized as the sole U.S.-owned vendor of advanced wireless network technology, positioning itself to restore American leadership in 5G manufacturing amid global competition dominated by foreign suppliers. Its TEKO DAS platform supports both indoor and outdoor deployments, enabling enhanced connectivity in venues like stadiums and enterprises, while solutions like Digital Electricity aim to reduce deployment costs through remote powering technologies. Notable for rapid growth and partnerships with operators, system integrators, and hyperscalers, JMA Wireless focuses on optimizing wireless strategies for modern operations without reported major controversies, though its claims of being the fastest-growing entity in the sector stem from self-reported metrics.

Company Profile

Founding and Leadership

JMA Wireless was established in 2012 by John Mezzalingua in Syracuse, New York, with the aim of disrupting the wireless infrastructure sector through innovative mobile connectivity solutions. Mezzalingua, a St. Lawrence University alumnus, leveraged his experience in technology and business to found the company as a U.S.-based provider of advanced wireless network equipment, initially targeting in-building and outdoor systems for LTE services, later expanding to 5G and CBRS. Mezzalingua has served as the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since its inception, guiding its strategic direction toward open and virtualized radio access networks. The executive team under his leadership includes Chief Operating Officer Andrew Adams, responsible for operational efficiency; Chief Commercial Officer Ben Cardwell, overseeing sales and partnerships; and Vice President of Human Resources Linda Chapman, managing talent and organizational development. This structure emphasizes technical innovation and market expansion, with Mezzalingua's vision prioritizing American-manufactured alternatives to foreign-dominated supply chains in wireless technology.

Headquarters and Operations

JMA Wireless maintains its global headquarters and 5G campus at 140 Cortland Avenue, Syracuse, New York 13202. This facility serves as the central hub for the company's manufacturing, research and development, and administrative operations. In July 2022, the first phase of a $100 million multi-phase expansion was completed, establishing what the company describes as a "factory of the future" on a city block in Syracuse, supported by a $5 million state grant and committing to over 200 new jobs in engineering and production roles. The Syracuse campus represents the only U.S.-owned 5G manufacturing and innovation center in the country, focusing on software-based 5G solutions and hardware production for wireless networks. JMA relocated key operations from prior sites, including a technology center in Liverpool, New York, at 7645 Henry Clay Boulevard, where it previously handled significant manufacturing employing around 550 staff as of early 2022. Globally, JMA conducts R&D and sales through a network of technology centers, including U.S. sites in Deerfield (Chicago area), Plano (Dallas), Glen Allen (Richmond), and Florham Park, New Jersey; European facilities in Castel San Pietro Terme and Milano, Italy, and Dublin, Ireland; and Indian operations in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. These centers support distributed operations in manufacturing, testing, and deployment of products like virtualized RAN and distributed antenna systems, with overall activities spanning over 20 locations worldwide. The company's structure emphasizes U.S.-based production to ensure supply chain sovereignty in critical wireless infrastructure.

Core Mission and Strategic Focus

JMA Wireless's core mission centers on redefining wireless communications infrastructure to restore U.S. leadership in the field during the 5G transition, emphasizing innovation that counters historical dependencies on foreign-dominated supply chains. The company pursues this through the development of open, virtualized, and disaggregated radio access networks (RAN), including its proprietary XRAN platform, which virtualizes RAN functions on commercial off-the-shelf hardware to enable cloud-native deployments. This strategy prioritizes interoperability via O-RAN Alliance standards, reducing reliance on proprietary systems and fostering multi-vendor ecosystems for greater flexibility and resilience. Strategically, JMA focuses on delivering sustainable, cost-efficient solutions that minimize energy use and operational complexity while maximizing lifetime value in in-building and wide-area coverage. By avoiding vendor lock-in, the company enables operators and enterprises to scale networks dynamically, supporting applications from carrier-grade public networks to private 5G setups. This includes hardware like CellHub radios integrated with software-defined architectures, designed for seamless mobility and economical enhancements in distributed antenna systems (DAS). The firm's emphasis extends to mission-critical sectors, where it deploys secure, low-latency private wireless networks for government, defense, and public safety, facilitating real-time data sharing, remote operations, and infrastructure reliability. Examples include 5G solutions for U.S. military logistics modernization and expeditionary systems, incorporating zero-trust security models and IPsec encryption to meet stringent performance demands without compromising on domestic innovation. This targeted approach aligns with broader objectives of bolstering national security and economic competitiveness in wireless technology.

Historical Development

Inception and Early Innovations (2010s)

JMA Wireless was founded in 2012 by John Mezzalingua, who acquired the wireless division of PPC Broadband—a family-owned enterprise—following its $515.7 million sale to Belden Inc. This acquisition included capabilities in antenna manufacturing and indoor wireless systems, providing the foundational assets for JMA's entry into mobile connectivity solutions. The company, headquartered in Syracuse, New York, leveraged these assets to address growing demands for reliable in-building coverage during the LTE rollout era. In its initial years, JMA maintained a low public profile while prioritizing internal development and expansion in wireless infrastructure, building on generational expertise from related family ventures dating to the late 1940s. Early efforts centered on designing and producing distributed antenna systems (DAS) and associated hardware to enhance signal distribution in complex indoor environments, such as venues and enterprises where traditional macro cell coverage proved inadequate. These systems supported LTE deployments by carriers seeking to improve capacity and reliability without extensive new tower builds. Key innovations in the 2010s included high-performance antennas and modular DAS components that optimized for power efficiency and scalability, enabling operators to deploy flexible, cost-effective solutions for urban and indoor settings. By 2019, JMA had established itself as a provider of next-generation in-building and outdoor wireless systems, positioning the company for future advancements in carrier and private networks amid the transition toward higher-capacity technologies.

Expansion and Key Milestones (2020s)

In 2022, JMA Wireless completed the first phase of its $100 million 5G manufacturing campus and headquarters expansion in Syracuse, New York, enhancing production capabilities for wireless infrastructure components. This development supported the company's focus on domestic manufacturing amid growing demand for 5G technologies. Concurrently, JMA secured naming rights for Syracuse University's stadium, rebranded as the JMA Wireless Dome, in a 10-year partnership that underscored its regional economic footprint and brand visibility. A pivotal product milestone occurred in 2022 with the launch of the world's first 5G Cloud Radio Access Network (RAN), designed for compatibility across all processors and cloud platforms, advancing virtualized and Open RAN architectures. This innovation built on JMA's XRAN software, enabling scalable deployments for private networks. In November 2022, JMA expanded collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deploy XRAN on Amazon EKS Anywhere, facilitating edge-based private 5G solutions for enterprises. Government contracts marked further expansion, including a October 2022 award with partner RIVA Networks to deploy private 5G at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Rome Research Site, demonstrating JMA's entry into secure, mission-critical applications. By December 2024, JMA received a $44 million grant under the CHIPS and Science Act from the U.S. Department of Commerce, matched with $30 million in private investment to establish new production lines in Syracuse, aiming to create up to 30 jobs and bolster U.S. 5G supply chain resilience. This funding targeted Open RAN commercialization, aligning with national priorities for diversified telecommunications hardware.

Technologies and Products

Virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN) and Open RAN

JMA Wireless's XRAN platform represents its primary offering in virtualized radio access networks (vRAN), a software-defined solution that disaggregates and virtualizes the full RAN protocol stack from Layer 1 to Layer 3, enabling deployment on commercial off-the-shelf servers across private, public, or hybrid clouds. Launched initially at Mobile World Congress in 2018, XRAN supports both 4G LTE and 5G standalone modes, with containerization for Kubernetes orchestration on platforms such as Wind River Studio and Amazon EKS Anywhere. The architecture emphasizes processor-agnostic compatibility, functioning on Intel, AMD, and Arm-based hardware, which facilitates multi-vendor interoperability aligned with Open RAN Alliance specifications for openness and intelligence. Key features of XRAN include full software-based baseband processing, eliminating traditional hardware dependencies like dedicated radios and jumpers, which reduces indoor deployment space and power consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional architectures. This vRAN approach supports O-RAN interfaces, such as the 7-2x fronthaul for LTE (Band 7) and NR (Band n3), enabling non-standalone 5G operations with commercial user equipment and cores. By virtualizing Layer 1 functions, XRAN achieves near-theoretical throughput limits for given MIMO configurations and bandwidths, as validated in controlled tests, positioning it for efficient private wireless networks in enterprise and government settings. In 2023, JMA demonstrated XRAN's Open RAN compliance through participation in the third annual O-RAN Global PlugFest across Asia (SoftBank-hosted in Japan), Europe (Telecom Italia Mobile-hosted in Italy), and North America (Verizon-hosted), showcasing end-to-end interoperability with off-the-shelf servers, Precision Time Protocol fronthaul switches, Microelectronics Technology Inc. open radio units, and commercial devices. These engagements confirmed peak 5G performance in NSA mode, underscoring XRAN's role in advancing disaggregated networks that mitigate vendor lock-in and enhance scalability. A notable deployment occurred in Saluzzo, Italy, where JMA partnered with TIM to cover the entire municipality—spanning a vast territory for 17,000 residents—as Italy's first fully Open RAN-enabled area with 5G capabilities, utilizing XRAN for RAN virtualization alongside partners like Dell for servers and Cisco for transport. Building on a vRAN experiment initiated in 2016, this project, integrated into TIM's 2021-2023 "Beyond Connectivity" strategy, supports edge computing and digital services, marking one of Europe's largest Open RAN coverages at the time. In December 2024, JMA received a $43.9 million grant from the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund to develop the American Ruggedized Modular O-RAN Radio (ARMOR) platform, focusing on energy-efficient open radio units for secure, domestic 5G infrastructure. This funding, part of a $273 million allocation across seven projects, complements XRAN's vRAN software by advancing compatible hardware commercialization, aiming to bolster U.S. leadership in Open RAN amid national security priorities.

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and Hardware Solutions

JMA Wireless develops Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) engineered for multi-operator and multi-band deployment in venues and in-building environments, prioritizing flexibility and reduced total cost of ownership through a modular architecture that supports up to six licensed bands per remote unit. The platform utilizes a single strand of fiber optic cable to distribute signals from base stations to remote units, enabling simultaneous support for multiple carriers and technologies without proprietary lock-in. Key features include software-defined remote units (SDRUs) that facilitate remote upgrades via license keys, eliminating hardware replacements for capacity expansions, and integration with Digital Electricity for powering over extended distances. The DAS hardware encompasses Points of Interface (POI), modular headend master units, and remote units with output powers from 5W to 40W. Next Generation (NG) POIs are compact designs that bypass traditional coaxial cabling, while master units feature scalable sub-racks compatible with low-, medium-, and high-power remotes, offering full RF bandwidth, AC/DC power options, and a web-based graphical user interface for low-latency monitoring. Remote units, including dual-band models for C-Band (3700–3980 MHz) with 2x2 MIMO configuration and public safety variants supporting 700 MHz Band 14 and 800 MHz, are housed in IP66/NEMA-4X enclosures for environmental resilience and employ natural convection cooling to minimize energy use. Antenna hardware in the DAS lineup includes low-profile omni-directional and panel types optimized for in-building use, delivering high directive gain that boosts signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) by over 10 dB, thereby enhancing capacity while reducing the required antenna count and deployment expenses. Panel antennas achieve 60% volume reduction compared to conventional models and 40% SINR gains through multi-band compatibility and simplified installation. Complementary hardware solutions feature secure mounting systems accommodating up to four remotes per unit and powering infrastructure capable of transmitting up to 2000W over 2 km, alongside RF connectors, jumpers, and combiners designed for carrier-grade reliability in both DAS and macro applications. These systems support LTE, 5G NR, FirstNet, and bands such as n71 (600 MHz), AWS-3/AWS-4, 2500 MHz, and CBRS, with deployments exceeding 2,000 venues worldwide as of 2023, including high-profile installations like the 5G-ready DAS at Syracuse University's JMA Wireless Dome. Benefits include up to 75% space savings in headends, industry-leading low power consumption, and a "pay-as-you-grow" scalability that aligns capital expenditure with demand, though long-term performance depends on precise engineering to avoid signal degradation in dense multi-operator scenarios.

Software-Defined and Cloud-Based Technologies

JMA Wireless has developed software-defined radio (SDR) technologies integrated into its distributed antenna systems (DAS), exemplified by the Software Defined Radio Unit (SDRU), which enables remote upgrades for power and frequency bands via license keys without hardware replacement. This approach supports seamless transitions from 4G to 5G, minimizing downtime and operational costs, as the SDRU architecture allows field-upgradable capabilities that adapt to evolving spectrum needs. The company's SDR solutions emphasize flexibility, permitting operators to scale capacity on-demand while leveraging a unified platform for multi-band, multi-operator deployments. Central to JMA's cloud-based offerings is the XRAN platform, a fully virtualized, cloud-native radio access network (RAN) solution compliant with 4G and 5G standards, constructed on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) IT infrastructure. Launched as the industry's first 5G cloud RAN compatible across all processors and cloud environments, XRAN is containerized for Kubernetes orchestration and operates agnostic to underlying hardware, enabling deployment on diverse servers and hyperscale clouds. This design incorporates cloud economics into RAN functions, supporting high-capacity, multi-operator indoor coverage while optimizing resource allocation for private 5G networks. In November 2022, JMA expanded XRAN integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance private 5G performance, utilizing up to 150 MHz of mid-band spectrum in software-only configurations. These technologies facilitate Open RAN architectures, as demonstrated in a 2023 deployment with TIM in Saluzzo, Italy, marking one of Europe's largest Open RAN municipal networks powered by XRAN's cloud-native stack. By prioritizing software modularity over proprietary hardware dependencies, JMA's solutions reduce vendor lock-in and support disaggregated network elements, aligning with O-RAN Alliance interfaces for interoperability. The platform's cloudification extends to edge computing via the CUSP services, integrating connectivity with neutral-host applications for enterprise environments.

Deployments and Applications

Major Partnerships and Collaborations

JMA Wireless has established significant partnerships with major U.S. telecom operators to deploy distributed antenna systems (DAS) and 5G solutions aimed at improving network coverage and capacity. A key collaboration is with Verizon, focusing on nationwide enhancements to reduce capital expenditures (CAPEX) while supporting 5G applications through technologies such as multi-band compact next-generation points of interface (NG POIs), modular headends, and high-efficiency antennas. This partnership has enabled coast-to-coast deployments in locations including Las Vegas, San Diego, and New York, with a reported fivefold increase in high-efficiency ultra-high-gain antenna sites from 2024 to 2025. In the realm of private wireless networks, JMA Wireless partnered with Dish Network and integrator CP Communications to build a dedicated 5G network for Fox's Super Bowl broadcast at State Farm Stadium in February 2023, utilizing JMA's equipment for reliable connectivity during high-demand events. Additionally, JMA contributes to Dish's efforts in military applications, including 5G/satellite networks for U.S. Department of Defense sites in collaboration with vendors like Boingo Wireless. Technologically, JMA Wireless collaborates with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deploy its XRAN cloud-native 5G software on Amazon EKS Anywhere, enabling scalable private networks with speeds exceeding 1 Gbps in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band. Announced on November 29, 2022, this integration supports flexible operations and was demonstrated in an upgrade to Carnegie Mellon University's campus network, with initial 5G rollout targeted for early 2023. JMA has also worked with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and others on Department of Defense initiatives, including the first 5G over-the-air program of record developed with Federated Wireless and Shared Spectrum Company, emphasizing secure and innovative deployments. Furthermore, JMA's XRAN platform runs on Intel processor-based servers, facilitating indoor cellular solutions, and has been showcased in joint demonstrations with Intel, EXOR International, and TIM for AI-enabled private 5G networks in smart factories.

Notable Projects and Case Studies

One prominent deployment is the distributed antenna system (DAS) at Pabellón M in Monterrey, Mexico, recognized as the largest in-building DAS in the country, serving a complex encompassing commercial offices, a shopping center, auditorium, convention center, and luxury hotel in a city of over 4 million residents. JMA Wireless provided its DAS platform to deliver seamless, discrete, flexible, sustainable, and economical mobile communications, addressing challenges of coverage in expansive, multi-purpose venues. Project director Felix Martinez of Neutral Host Solutions XX highlighted JMA's technical expertise and innovative solutions as key to success from inception. At the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City, JMA Wireless served as neutral host, managing RF design, deployment, integration, commissioning, and optimization of a DAS to provide ubiquitous mobile coverage across subway platforms, bus stations, loading docks, retail areas, and parking facilities in a structure comparable in scale to Grand Central Station, Times Square, and Penn Station combined. This ensured reliable connectivity for commuters and visitors, supporting efficient mass transit operations. JMA Wireless deployed a private 5G network for Carnegie Mellon University's Living Edge Lab, utilizing 4G/5G virtualized RAN (XRAN) software, Druid Software core, AWS Snowball Edge for edge computing, and CBRS spectrum with fiber backhaul and directional antennas, in partnership with AWS and Crown Castle. The system covers the CMU campus, Schenley Plaza, and Walnut Street, enabling advanced wireless research, edge applications, and software-upgradable Open RAN functionality on commercial off-the-shelf servers to meet immediate performance targets and foster innovation. In defense applications, JMA Wireless contributed to the U.S. Department of Defense's private 5G initiatives, including the first commercial private 5G network at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany under a $6 million, 42-month sustainment contract led by Federated Wireless, with JMA providing hardware alongside HPE; this supports military logistics automation, real-time data, and secure operations. Additional deployments include an Open RAN 5G network at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island connecting support operations, positioning the DoD as the largest deployer of private 5G networks for use cases like augmented reality and holograms. For Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, JMA's DAS platform delivered 5G-ready coverage, facilitating fan connectivity during events like the Super Bowl while enabling future private wireless additions without vendor lock-in, emphasizing sustainability and lifetime value through flexible infrastructure.

Business Impact and Challenges

Economic and Manufacturing Contributions

JMA Wireless operates the only major American-owned manufacturing facility for 5G radio access network (RAN) equipment, located in Syracuse, New York, enabling domestic production of critical wireless infrastructure components. This facility supports the design, development, and assembly of advanced 5G technologies, including Open RAN solutions, thereby reducing U.S. reliance on foreign manufacturing dominated by entities in China and other nations. Since 2017, the company has committed over $400 million to research and development, facility expansions, and manufacturing capacity in the region, fostering high-technology production capabilities. In December 2024, JMA secured nearly $44 million in federal funding through the CHIPS and Science Act to upgrade its Syracuse operations, with the company pledging an additional investment exceeding $75 million for equipment, automation, and workforce scaling. This expansion aims to create up to 30 new positions initially in engineering, production, and related fields, with potential for further growth as output ramps up, contributing to employment in upstate New York. The initiative aligns with broader U.S. policy goals to onshore semiconductor-adjacent technologies, enhancing economic resilience in Central New York through sustained manufacturing activity. By prioritizing U.S.-based production, JMA Wireless advances national supply chain security and economic competitiveness in telecommunications, where domestic manufacturing has historically lagged behind global leaders. The Syracuse plant employs automation via JMA's own private wireless networks to optimize robotics and assembly lines, exemplifying efficient, scalable operations that could model future American high-tech fabrication. This approach counters vulnerabilities in global sourcing, as evidenced by prior disruptions in foreign-dependent supply chains, and positions the U.S. for leadership in 5G deployment essential to industrial and defense sectors.

Government Relations and Policy Influence

JMA Wireless maintains active engagement with U.S. federal agencies, particularly through submissions to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on 5G development, security, and Open RAN maturity. In June 2020, the company recommended that the federal government establish an approved schedule of U.S.-sanctioned 5G technology providers to prioritize domestic innovation and reduce reliance on foreign vendors, emphasizing open networks to enable competition among smaller firms via modular architectures. Similarly, in responses to NTIA's requests for comment, JMA highlighted perceived maturity gaps in Open RAN that hinder large-scale deployments, advocating for proof-of-concept investments to demonstrate viability. The company conducts federal lobbying, reporting expenditures of $320,000 in 2024 and $220,000 in 2023, focused on telecommunications policy and infrastructure funding. In April 2021, JMA appointed Bill Plummer as Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs to oversee these efforts, drawing on his prior experience in industry advocacy. JMA has secured significant federal support aligned with national priorities for secure wireless infrastructure. On December 12, 2024, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a $43.94 million award to JMA under the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, part of the NTIA's $273 million Wireless Innovation Fund, to develop the American Ruggedized Modular O-RAN Radio (ARMOR) platform for ruggedized, interoperable 5G equipment; this funding requires JMA to invest an additional $30 million in private capital, potentially creating 30 jobs in Syracuse, New York. JMA's Open RAN solutions have also supported Department of Defense initiatives, including a private 5G network contract awarded in October 2022 to partner RIVA Networks for the Air Force Research Laboratory, underscoring the company's role in sovereign, high-capacity networks for federal missions. Through these channels, JMA influences policy by promoting Open RAN as a means to strengthen U.S. technological leadership, facilitate government modernization of communications systems, and enable deployments in secure environments like military bases and critical infrastructure, where software-based 5G reduces hardware dependencies.

Achievements, Awards, and Criticisms

JMA Wireless received a $44 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's CHIPS and Science Act program in December 2024 to expand its 5G Open RAN manufacturing facility in Syracuse, New York, enabling production of over 12,000 radios annually and creating up to 30 jobs. In September 2023, it won a $100,000 Best in Show award in the NTIA and Department of Defense's 5G Challenge for excellence in software bill of materials (SBOM) and vulnerability exploitability exchange (VEX) practices. The company earned the Small Cell Forum Social Impact Award in May 2021 for a deployment enhancing connectivity in underserved areas. It also received the CenterState CEO Community Visionary Award in October 2021 for a $52 million redevelopment project revitalizing a Syracuse neighborhood. Key milestones include opening a $50 million 5G components factory in Syracuse's South Side in February 2022, aimed at domestic production to counter foreign supply chain dependencies. In October 2022, JMA secured a contract through partner RIVA Networks to deploy a private 5G network using its XRAN software at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Rome site. A July 2023 partnership with MIT Professor Muriel Médard launched a three-year research initiative to achieve ultra-reliable low-latency 5G communications. In November 2023, JMA deployed a state-of-the-art 5G network at Syracuse University's JMA Wireless Dome, providing Verizon customers with enhanced connectivity during events. JMA Wireless has faced legal challenges, including a 2022 lawsuit filed by former Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross seeking $1 million in unpaid commissions from a Super Bowl stadium project, alleging the company attempted to settle with a $100,000 payment. In May 2024, it initiated patent infringement litigation against Amphenol Corporation and a subsidiary in Delaware federal court. Earlier, in October 2021, JMA sued Impact Broadband over alleged product defects and warranty nonconformities. Employee reviews on platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor, averaging 3.1 and below 3.5 stars respectively, criticize repetitive tasks, long hours on feet, high workloads, toxic culture, and unresponsive management, though some note competitive pay. No major public controversies or regulatory violations have been widely reported.

References

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