Signals Research Group
Signals Research Group is an independent US wireless industry consultancy founded in 2004 that provides field benchmarking, performance testing, and research subscription services to mobile operators, equipment vendors, semiconductor firms, handset OEMs, and investors through its flagship Signals Ahead publication and bespoke consulting engagements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Signals Research Group does
Signals Research Group (SRG) is a US-based independent research and consulting firm founded in 2004, specializing in field research and performance benchmarking for the global wireless telecommunications industry. The company conducts independent drive tests and stationary tests using professional wireless network testing equipment to benchmark network performance across 5G NR, LTE, and emerging wireless technologies, including MIMO, carrier aggregation, mmWave, Open RAN, and spectral efficiency. SRG's core technology stack is built around proprietary field-testing methodologies and long-standing tool integrations with test equipment vendors — Accuver Americas (XCAL5/XCAP), Keysight Technologies (Umetrix Data), and Rohde & Schwarz (NPS framework, ETSI TR 103 559 methodology) — supplemented by first-mover independent benchmark studies of LTE (2010), DC-HSDPA (2011), LTE-Advanced (2013), VoLTE (2014), and 5G (2018).
SRG monetizes through a hybrid subscription and professional services model. The flagship Signals Ahead publication is offered as an annual subscription (12 monthly issues plus 4-6 Signals Flash! bulletins) at a Group License tier priced at $3,995/year for up to 5 users, with Global and Platinum tiers (including analyst hours) priced on request. Individual issues of the "5G: The Greatest Show on Earth!" benchmark series are sold à la carte at $995 to $1,995 per report, with recent volumes covering Release 17 Uplink Transmit Switching, Open RAN multi-vendor interoperability, 6Rx smartphone performance, and Generative AI's impact on 5G data consumption. The company also generates revenue through bespoke consulting engagements, including commissioned third-party benchmark studies, network economics modeling, technical due diligence for VC/PE firms, and market analysis.
The firm's addressable clientele spans the entire wireless ecosystem: tier-1 mobile operators (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, DISH, Orange), infrastructure vendors (Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung), semiconductor companies (Qualcomm, MediaTek, Intel), handset OEMs (Apple, Google, Motorola), industry associations (GSMA), and the financial community. SRG is founder-led by Michael Thelander (former Deutsche Bank equity analyst) and supported by a small senior technical bench of Mark Schulz (VP Wireless Technologies, ex-Vodafone/aerospace) and Emil Olbrich (VP Networks, ex-PSCR/Motorola/Qualcomm/Ericsson). The company is privately held, bootstrapped, and operates without disclosed external institutional capital.
Signals Research Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Signals Research Group
- Legal name
- Signals Research Group, LLC
- Website
- https://signalsresearch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Signals Research Group is an independent US wireless industry consultancy founded in 2004 that provides field benchmarking, performance testing, and research subscription services to mobile operators, equipment vendors, semiconductor firms, handset OEMs, and investors through its flagship Signals Ahead publication and bespoke consulting engagements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Signals Research Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wireless Telecommunications Research & Consulting
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Telecommunications & Network Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Market Research, Analytics & Consumer Insights (BPAFAAAM)
Keywords
Where Signals Research Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Signals Research Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Signals Ahead Subscriptions: Annual subscription providing 12 issues of Signals Ahead newsletter plus 4-6 issues of Signals Flash!. Available in Group License (up to 5 users, $3,995), Global License (unlimited employees, price on request), and Platinum Package (includes analyst time, price on request).
- Individual Report Sales: Individual issues available for purchase separately, with prices ranging from $995 to $1,995 per report.
- Consulting Services: Customized consulting services including benchmarking, network economics modeling, due diligence, market analysis, onsite presentations, business plan preparation, and premium subscription services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Group License - Up to 5 users from same company |
| Subscription | Annual | Global License - Unlimited employees from same organization |
| Subscription | Annual | Platinum Package - Global License plus analyst time |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Access Pass - Complete online archive access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Issue Purchase - Vol 59 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Issue Purchase - Vol 58 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Issue Purchase - Vol 57 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Issue Purchase - Vol 56 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Signals Research Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Signals Research Group is an independent research consultancy that publishes subscription-based field research and consulting services focused on the global wireless telecommunications industry. Its flagship offering, the Signals Ahead newsletter (12 monthly issues per year), delivers data-driven performance benchmarking of 5G NR, LTE, Open RAN, MU-MIMO, mmWave, and emerging wireless technologies through independent drive and stationary testing. The firm complements this with free Signals Flash! commentaries, commissioned benchmark studies for specific clients, and bespoke consulting engagements covering network economics modeling, due diligence for financial investors, and market analysis.
Product overview
Signals Research Group operates as a research and consulting firm offering a portfolio of subscription-based and custom research products focused on the wireless telecommunications industry. Its flagship product is the monthly Signals Ahead newsletter (12 issues per year), supplemented by free Signals Flash! reports. The firm also produces commissioned benchmark studies and white papers for third-party clients, and offers consulting services including benchmarking, network economics modeling, due diligence, and market analysis. A key recurring product series is the '5G: The Greatest Show on Earth!' benchmark study series (Vol 1 through Vol 60 published through June 2026), covering real-world 5G network performance testing across multiple operators, vendors, and technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Signals Ahead: The flagship subscription-based research product covering all aspects of the wireless industry, including 5G benchmark studies and technology analysis.
- Signals Flash!
Products and services
- Signals Ahead SRG's flagship subscription research publication providing in-depth analysis and performance benchmarking of emerging wireless technologies (5G, LTE, Open RAN, MU-MIMO, mmWave, etc.). Published monthly (12 issues per year) and available via Group License ($3,995/year), Global License, or Platinum Package with analyst time.
- Signals Flash!
Quantifiable outcome
- 60+ independent 5G benchmark studies conducted since inception
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Signals Research Group
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Signals Research Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Signals Research Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered key client and core.
- Nokiakey clientNokia provides infrastructure for SRG testing locations including T-Mobile's network in Bellevue, WA. Nokia announces technology implementations (like MU-MIMO with zero forcing) that SRG validates through independent testing. T-Mobile is the only major US carrier using Nokia infrastructure.
- 1Finitykey clientSRG tested 1Finity 5G radio units (RUs) in AT&T's Open RAN deployment in Dallas, validating multi-vendor interoperability between 1Finity RUs and Ericsson distributed units.
- Samsung Networkskey clientSamsung commissioned SRG to conduct a third-party benchmark study of 5G downlink and uplink MU-MIMO in a commercial Verizon network, validating Samsung's network technology performance.
- XCOM-Labskey clientSRG conducted a benchmark study of XCOM-Labs' XCOMP solution at their California facility, validating the technology's capacity benefits in a 5G test network.
- Googlekey clientGoogle commissioned SRG to conduct a benchmark study of four popular web conferencing applications (Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, and Zoom) to identify and quantify performance characteristics.
- MediaTekkey clientMediaTek commissioned SRG to conduct a benchmark study of mmWave device and chipset performance, testing several 5G mmWave smartphones representing chipsets from leading suppliers.
- Accuver AmericascoreLong-standing trusted partnership spanning nearly two decades. Accuver provides XCAL5 drive test software and XCAP post-processing software for SRG's field research. SRG uses Accuver's tools to collect chipset diagnostic messages and perform data analysis.
- Keysight TechnologiescoreKeysight (previously Spirent Communications) provides Umetrix Data for generating high bandwidth data transfers and test traffic. Keysight has been a trusted partner for nearly two decades, supporting SRG's benchmark studies.
- Rohde & SchwarzcoreRohde & Schwarz provides post-processing tools, NPS (Network Performance Score) framework, and collection capabilities for SRG's benchmark studies. SRG leverages R&S's ETSI TR 103 559 compliant testing methodology for network benchmarking.
- Motorolakey clientMotorola commissioned SRG to conduct smartphone benchmarking studies, including testing of Moto G Stylus 5G against Apple iPhone SE.
Scale indicators4 records
Signals Research Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spirent Communications: Spirent provides wireless network testing equipment and benchmarking services — the same mix of test methodology and operator-facing reports that SRG delivers. SRG cites Spirent (now under Keysight) as a long-standing partner, making it a partial collaborator as well as a comparable services peer.
- Counterpoint Research: Counterpoint produces subscription research across handset, chipset, and wireless technology — sharing SRG's coverage of Qualcomm, MediaTek, Apple, and other handset/chipset customers and using similar commissioned-study monetization.
- Strategy Analytics: Strategy Analytics is an independent subscription research firm covering wireless handsets, components, and telecom — historically a direct competitor in the same buyer RFPs as SRG.
- Dell'Oro Group: Dell'Oro is an independent research firm producing subscription reports and quarterly market-share analysis for telecom infrastructure — directly comparable to SRG's coverage of wireless equipment vendors (Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung) and operators.
- Opensignal: Opensignal is the closest direct peer — an independent wireless network measurement firm that benchmarks mobile network experience globally for operators, regulators, and OEMs. SRG and Opensignal both monetize independent field-test methodologies aimed at the same operator and vendor buyer base.
- Mobile Experts: Mobile Experts publishes subscription research and custom consulting focused on wireless infrastructure (small cells, RAN, IoT, 5G) — a direct comparability anchor for SRG's Signals Ahead product line.
- RootMetrics (an Ookla company): RootMetrics is a direct competitor in independent mobile network performance benchmarking, producing consumer-facing and operator-facing scorecards. It overlaps SRG's "Signals Ahead" franchise on the operator and chipset benchmarking use case.
Broad incumbents
- Omdia (Informa Tech): Omdia is a much larger broad incumbent telecom research house offering syndicated and custom research across the wireless ecosystem, overlapping the same operator/vendor customer base as SRG but with broader coverage.
- Gartner: Gartner is a broad incumbent covering telecom and IT subscription research to enterprise buyers, including wireless operators and large enterprise subscribers that overlap SRG's "Financial Community" and large operator clients.
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight is the larger incumbent in wireless test equipment and offers benchmarking/methodology services; it is also a multi-decade SRG partner, positioning it as both an ecosystem participant and a competitor for benchmarking budgets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Signals Research Group social profiles
Digital presenceSignals Research Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Signals Research Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Signals Research Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Signals Research Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Signals Research Group
What does Signals Research Group do?
Signals Research Group is an independent research consultancy that publishes subscription-based field research and consulting services focused on the global wireless telecommunications industry. Its flagship offering, the Signals Ahead newsletter (12 monthly issues per year), delivers data-driven performance benchmarking of 5G NR, LTE, Open RAN, MU-MIMO, mmWave, and emerging wireless technologies through independent drive and stationary testing. The firm complements this with free Signals Flash! commentaries, commissioned benchmark studies for specific clients, and bespoke consulting engagements covering network economics modeling, due diligence for financial investors, and market analysis.
Is Signals Research Group a public or private company?
Signals Research Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Signals Research Group founded?
Signals Research Group was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Signals Research Group based?
Signals Research Group is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Signals Research Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Signals Ahead Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are individual Report Sales and consulting Services.
Who are Signals Research Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spirent Communications, Counterpoint Research, Strategy Analytics, Dell'Oro Group, Opensignal, Mobile Experts and RootMetrics (an Ookla company). Broad incumbents are Omdia (Informa Tech), Gartner and Keysight Technologies.
Does Signals Research Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Signals Research Group.
What industry is Signals Research Group in?
Signals Research Group's product category is Wireless Telecommunications Research & Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAH, Telecommunications & Network Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of BPAFAAAM, Market Research, Analytics & Consumer Insights. Its NAICS code is 54169 and its SIC code is 8742.