WAVE by AGC

What WAVE by AGC does

WAVE by AGC is a Belgium-based business unit within AGC Glass Europe (itself part of Japan's AGC Inc., TSE: 5201), established in 2018 to commercialize glass-based solutions for indoor mobile connectivity and electromagnetic wave management in buildings. The company operates from Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, with R&D anchored at AGC's Gosselies anechoic chamber facility, and conducts approximately 200 connectivity audits per year across Europe and the Middle East.

The portfolio comprises three interconnected products: WAVETHRU, a laser surface treatment applied to existing double or triple glazing that creates a microscopic grid on metal-oxide coatings, reducing radio signal loss from approximately -30 dB to -3 dB without compromising thermal insulation; WAVEANTENNA, a transparent or printed glass antenna integrated into building facades that functions as an in-building 4G/5G base station for network densification; and WAVETRAP, a transparent electromagnetic shielding glass that blocks RF and microwave radiation for cybersecurity, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, and privacy use cases, validated against the proprietary Electromagnetic Shield Index (ESI) standard developed by AGC R&D and confirmed by KU Leuven laboratory testing. FINEO, a vacuum-insulated glazing product with a 20-year warranty, is offered as a sister AGC technology under the same brand umbrella.

WAVE by AGC generates revenue primarily through one-time license and hardware sales for its glass treatments and antennas, supplemented by professional services for connectivity audits using proprietary tools and KEYSIGHT NEMO outdoor measurement equipment. The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales targeting building owners, facility managers, telecom operators, and government entities, with channel partners (Holland Shielding, Pulsaart, Prelude) supporting regional distribution in the Netherlands. Strategic partnerships with Nokia and Zain KSA underpin 5G trials in Saudi Arabia announced in January 2025. The customer base spans telecom operators (Proximus, Telia, T-Mobile, Zain KSA), commercial real estate (Befimmo, Immobel, Regus, Silversquare, SNCB), financial services (Belfius, Finance Brussels), healthcare (Mijzo, Martha Flora, CSPO), and technology firms (Qualcomm, Catalent), indicating diversified vertical exposure. Pricing for a 5,000 sqm WAVETHRU treatment is approximately €70,000, positioned as a cost-effective alternative to Distributed Antenna Systems costing €338,000+.

Name

WAVE by AGC

Legal name

AGC Wave

Website

https://wavebyagc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WAVE by AGC is a Belgium-based business unit of AGC Glass Europe that develops laser-treated glass, transparent glass antennas, and electromagnetic shielding glass to improve indoor mobile connectivity and provide cybersecurity for commercial real estate, telecom operators, and government facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart Glass Connectivity Solutions

NAICS

Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass (327215), Glass and Glazing Contractors (23815)

SIC

Glass Products, Made Of Purchased Glass (3231), Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural & Building Glazing Systems (Curtain Wall/Storefront/Canopies) (IMADAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Glazing & Fenestration (Curtain Wall, Windows, Storefronts, Skylights) (IMAFAMAC), Low‑E, Solar Control & Energy-Efficient Coated Glass (IMADAHAF), Glass & Glazing Repair (Single-pane, Insulated Glass Unit replacement) (HSAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Smart glazing solutions
• Glass signal treatment
• Transparent EM shielding
• Glass antenna systems
• Indoor connectivity solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Louvain-la-Neuve

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. WAVETHRU Glass Treatment: One-time laser surface treatment applied to existing or new glass windows. Treatment is performed on-site by WAVE operations team. Cost varies by building size and treatment coverage. No ongoing maintenance or energy costs required post-installation.
2. WAVETRAP Shielding Glass: Sale of specialized transparent electromagnetic shielding glass for cybersecurity, EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity), and privacy applications. Customized per project requirements for specific frequency ranges and dB attenuation levels.
3. WAVEANTENNA Glass Antenna: Sale and installation of transparent glass antennas integrated into building facades. Includes design, build, and installation services by technical team. Supports 4G/5G network expansion.
4. Connectivity Audit Services: Professional connectivity audits using proprietary tools and KEYSIGHT NEMO equipment. Pre-treatment audits establish baseline measurements; post-treatment audits verify performance improvements. Provided as both standalone service and part of solution deployment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WAVE by AGC develops and commercializes glass-based electromagnetic solutions for buildings. Its portfolio includes WAVETHRU (a laser surface treatment applied to coated glass that allows 2G-5G radio signals to pass through while preserving thermal insulation), WAVEANTENNA (transparent or printed glass antennas integrated into building glazing for 4G/5G network densification), and WAVETRAP (transparent electromagnetic shielding glass for cybersecurity and EHS applications). The company also performs professional connectivity audits using proprietary and KEYSIGHT NEMO tools.

Product overview

WAVE by AGC is a portfolio of three interconnected high-tech glazing solutions for buildings, centered on controlling electromagnetic wave behavior. WAVETHRU is the core signal-penetration product — a laser surface treatment applied to existing double or triple glazing that makes metal-coated glass transparent to cellular RF signals (2G–5G), restoring natural indoor mobile coverage without affecting thermal performance. WAVEANTENNA is a transparent or printed glass antenna integrated into glazing that functions as an in-building base station for network densification, supporting 4G/5G FWA connections. WAVETRAP is the complementary shielding product — a transparent EM-shielding glass that blocks RF signals and microwave radiation for cybersecurity, EHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity), and RF isolation use cases. All three products are validated through AGC's connectivity audit methodology using KEYSIGHT NEMO tools, and they integrate with external mobile network operator infrastructure. FINEO (vacuum-insulated glazing) is a sister technology under the AGC Glass Europe umbrella, valued for heritage renovation applications where its slim profile preserves architectural aesthetics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WAVETHRU: Laser surface treatment for glass that improves indoor mobile signal penetration by up to 25dB without compromising thermal insulation performance. Reduces radio signal loss from 30dB to 3dB on double glazing.
• WAVETRAP
• WAVEANTENNA
• GLASS ANTENNA

Products and services

• WAVETHRU WAVETHRU is a laser surface treatment applied to existing double or triple glazed windows that creates a microscopically patterned grid on the metal oxide coating, allowing radio frequency signals (2G through 5G) to pass through without compromising thermal insulation. It reduces radio signal loss from approximately -30dB to -3dB on coated double glazing and is multi-operator compatible.
• WAVEANTENNA WAVEANTENNA is a transparent or printed glass antenna integrated into building glazing that functions as a base station, enabling network densification for 4G/5G networks while being seamlessly embedded in building facades. It connects to Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and supports Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) deployments.
• WAVETRAP WAVETRAP is a transparent electromagnetic shielding glass product that blocks radio frequency signals and microwave radiation from passing through, creating secure indoor environments against unwanted signals, electromagnetic interference, and cyber-espionage risks. It is validated against the AGC-developed Electromagnetic Shield Index (ESI) standard and can be combined with anti-burglary, fire-resistant, and UV-blocking properties.
• Connectivity Audit Services Professional telecom connectivity audits performed using proprietary WAVETHRU measurement tools and KEYSIGHT NEMO outdoor tools. The audits measure signal strength, quality, frequencies, and network performance across 2G-5G for multiple operators simultaneously. Provided both as a standalone service and as part of WAVETHRU solution deployment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Radio signal loss reduced from -30dB to -3dB on double glazing with WAVETHRU
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Euro-Multitel SAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2017Partnership in SmartBuilding project (Cootech/FEDER funded) for developing antenna-integrated thermal insulation glass. Project duration 2017-2021, budget €6.8M. Euro-Multitel brings expertise in photonics, fiber lasers, optical sensors, terahertz machining, signal & embedded systems, networks & telecom, computer vision, and rail certification.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership for validation and testing of WAVETRAP electromagnetic shielding glass. KU Leuven validated the technical excellence of the product through university laboratory measurements.
• Proptech LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProptech innovation ecosystem partner in Belgium supporting smart building technology development and market adoption.
• Smart Building CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry consortium partner focused on smart building innovation and connectivity solutions for the built environment.
• Holland ShieldingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch partner for electromagnetic shielding solutions distribution in the Netherlands market.
• PulsaartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for distribution and implementation of WAVE solutions in designated territories.
• PreludeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for distribution and implementation of WAVE solutions in designated territories.
• NokiacoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic collaboration for 5G transparent glass antenna trials with Zain KSA in Saudi Arabia. Nokia provides state-of-the-art 5G products that integrate seamlessly with WAVE by AGC glass antennas, enabling Zain KSA to expand network capabilities.
• Zain KSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecom operator conducting 5G transparent glass antenna proof of concept trials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Partnership involves WAVEANTENNA-FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) and WAVEATTOCH solutions for enhanced indoor 5G coverage and outdoor network densification.
• PanasoniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for FINEO vacuum glazing technology. Panasonic collaboration helped industrialize and perfect the FINEO production process, ensuring optimal performance and controlled manufacturing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CommScope: Global leader in Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), small cells, and in-building wireless infrastructure. Directly competes with WAVETHRU/WAVEANTENNA for indoor cellular coverage budgets; customers compare WAVE's passive glass approach against CommScope's active DAS solutions on cost and operator coverage.
• Holland Shielding Systems: Dutch specialist in electromagnetic shielding products (Faraday cages, conductive foams, shielded rooms). Direct channel partner to WAVE and competitor in EM shielding for cybersecurity, EHS, and TEMPEST applications, though Holland Shielding focuses on non-glass shielding materials.
• View Inc. Smart dynamic glass company commercializing intelligent windows for commercial buildings. Comparable as a venture-backed building glass innovator selling premium functional glazing to enterprise real estate customers, though View focuses on electrochromic tinting rather than electromagnetic wave management.

Broad incumbents

• Ericsson: Global telecom infrastructure vendor whose Radio Dot and small-cell solutions compete with WAVEANTENNA for indoor 5G coverage budgets. Comparable as a counter-party in the same MNO procurement cycles, particularly where building owners seek integrated network solutions rather than passive glass.
• Corning Incorporated: Specialty glass and ceramics leader with deep connectivity adjacency (optical fiber, DAS, cellular infrastructure). Comparable as an incumbent glass company whose products enable telecom networks, though Corning's focus is fiber and traditional RF infrastructure rather than transparent building-integrated antennas.
• Guardian Glass: Major global float glass manufacturer producing architectural Low-E and solar control glass. Comparable as an upstream glass supplier whose coated products create the same attenuation problem WAVE solves, and a potential competitor if Guardian develops in-house connectivity-enhancing glazing.
• Saint-Gobain: Global building materials giant with a major flat glass division and SageGlass electrochromic smart glass subsidiary. Directly comparable to WAVE as a glass manufacturer expanding into functional/smart glazing for buildings, though Saint-Gobain's portfolio is far broader than WAVE's connectivity-focused niche.
• NSG Group (Pilkington): One of the world's largest flat glass manufacturers and direct AGC competitor. Comparable as a flat glass incumbent that could pursue similar electromagnetic-functional glazing innovations, and a natural strategic threat or partner to WAVE within the same building materials value chain.

Emerging players

• Gauzy: Israel-based smart glass company developing switchable films and LCG (light control glass) for architectural and automotive use. Comparable as a venture-backed functional glass innovator targeting premium building customers, though Gauzy's chemistry/optics focus differs from WAVE's RF/EM focus.
• SageGlass (Saint-Gobain): Saint-Gobain's electrochromic smart glass brand, selling dynamic-tinting windows to commercial real estate. Comparable to WAVE as a high-end functional glazing product targeting the same enterprise building owner/architect buyer, with a similar ROI-driven value proposition but for light rather than RF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAUiU05OMLNl37Dj5dBmkYA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wave-by-agc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WAVE by AGC