About the authors

Professor Simon Saunders

PhD CEng FREng FIET FITP

Prof. Simon Saunders is an advisor and researcher with deep industry and academic background in communication systems technology. He is chair of the UKTIN Expert Working Group on Wireless Networking Technologies,  an Honorary Professor at the University of Bristol, Visiting Professor at King’s College London,  and Trustee of the charity Music for All. In 2021 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Simon is a specialist in the technology of wireless communications, with a technical and commercial background derived from senior appointments in both industry (including Google, Motorola and Philips), academia (University of Surrey, Trinity College Dublin) and policy and regulation (Ofcom and UK Government Advisor to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology).

He founded the Small Cell Forum and chaired this industry association from 2007-12, growing membership to 150 companies and working with 3GPP to create the first standards for small cells. He acted as Director of Emerging & Online Technology for Ofcom, leading Ofcom’s Emerging Technology programme and creating their Online Tech team (2020-21).  At Google (2015-20), he worked with operators globally to enhance wireless connectivity via a range of advanced technology initiatives, combining wireless networks, artificial intelligence and network virtualisation. As co-founder and Director of Technology for independent wireless strategy advisory firm Real Wireless (2006-15), he was responsible for overall technical capability and direction, providing independent wireless expertise and advice to operators, regulators, technology and law firms and wireless users. In 2019 Simon organised the world’s first 5G music lesson on behalf of charity Music for All, led by famous musician Jamie Cullum. 

He is an author of over 150 articles, books and book chapters, including a popular textbook on antennas and propagation, now in its third edition. He has invented over 15 patented wireless technologies and  served on technical advisory boards of several companies and universities.

See LinkedIn profile and personal website for more.

Dr. Alejandro Aragón-Zavala

Dr. Alejandro Aragón-Zavala is  a Principal Technology Consultant for Real Wireless, a leading consultancy firm in wireless communications and technologies based in the UK. I am also a Researcher and Lecturer at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, México.  Formerly, Head of Department for my university, Tec de Monterrey, as well as Program Chair for Electronics Engineering, for eight years. He was a Senior Radio Consultant and In-building Design Tools Engineer at Cellular Design Services, latterly Red-M), UK, for over seven years.

He is also author of books on High Altitude Platforms and Indoor Wireless  Communication Systems.

See LinkedIn profile and university website for more.