Series 17 – Episode 3 – the technology shaping the future of connectivity

Pharrowtech focuses on millimetre-wave RF solutions, enabling the use of untapped spectrum at frequencies like 60GHz to meet the growing demand for bandwidth, which has been increasing by 50% annually since the 1980s.

Pharrowtech’s technology bridges the gap between fibre and traditional wireless connectivity by offering high throughput and low latency without the deployment challenges of fibre. Van Thillo emphasised: “Connecting a house or a business with fibre costs between 1,000 and €10,000 … the capex of rolling out fibre is enormous, and that is the big advantage of wireless technology.”

Pharrowtech’s chips can process 14GHz of bandwidth, significantly more than traditional wireless technologies. Use cases include:

• 5G fixed wireless access: deployed in urban, suburban, and rural areas, enabling high-speed Internet without fibre infrastructure
• AI and big data: supporting data-intensive applications like video streaming and AI model training
• Smart cities: applications include wireless CCTV networks with high-resolution cameras and autonomous vehicles transmitting large data volumes in real-time

Van Thillo highlighted the importance of addressing connectivity gaps in underserved regions: “In many places, fibre is economically unfeasible ... fixed wireless can bridge that gap in a very low-cost way.”

Key barriers to widespread millimetre-wave adoption include complexity and cost. High frequencies require sophisticated design and historically relied on expensive materials like gallium arsenide. Pharrowtech’s approach leverages CMOS technology and organic laminates to reduce costs.

“We build products ... that encapsulate complexity, shielding our customers from it,” Van Thillo noted.

Since its founding, Pharrowtech has evolved through three phases: technology development, product development, and now commercial scaling. Early milestones included proving the feasibility of high-frequency systems and developing integrated solutions for outdoor deployments. Van Thillo stated: “Now it’s really a matter of commercially scaling ... serving more customers in more geographies with more use cases.”

Pharrowtech’s mission is summarised as: “Our innovative wireless platforms simplify and accelerate the adoption of millimetre-wave technology.”

The company prioritises customer-centricity, reflecting its commitment to making complex technologies accessible and scalable. Van Thillo added: “We want to grow fast and help our customers ... connect their users and serve them with this solution.”

Pharrowtech is poised to expand its impact, addressing connectivity challenges with innovative and cost-effective millimetre-wave solutions.

To hear more about Pharrowtech and its solutions, you can listen to Electronic Specifier’s interview on Spotify or Apple podcasts.