Not too long ago, in-building wireless coverage solutions like DAS were reserved for larger businesses with expansive premises. However, times are rapidly changing, and there are now a variety of solutions that cater to the needs of smaller businesses as well.
By understanding your specific needs, you can find the best in-building wireless coverage for you. Below, we’ll discuss the different types of in-building wireless solutions and how they can benefit your business.
5 Wireless Coverage Solutions:
Wi-Fi:
Using a router, Wi-Fi users get wireless data connection to the internet. The router has a specific signal strength and coverage, so the users stay connected to the internet as long as they stay within that range.
In contrast to this, users get direct internet access without using a router through cellular network services like DAS, repeaters, and/or small cells.
Outdoor Cell Site:
Every mobile carrier including Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, etc., constructs outdoor cell sites called macrocells. They provide cellular coverage to the users and include the following:
- Antennas
- Base station receiver
- GPS
- Transmitters
- Backup power
This system sends and receives signals to and from mobile phones within its area of coverage which is typically up to three miles. However, macrocells often are not enough to offer adequate coverage in a given area. Things like hills, trees, and building materials such as glass, aluminum, and concrete, etc., can block these signals. Therefore, different technologies like repeaters, DAS, and small cell systems are used to fill in these coverage gaps.
Signal Repeater/Booster:
Using an antenna placed outside the building and an amplifier that connects with indoor antennas, a cellular signal repeater/booster rebroadcasts a mobile network inside a building.
However, signal boosters have limitations as well. For instance, they cannot amplify weak signals sufficiently and are only reliable for smaller coverage areas.
DAS:
Short for Distributed Antenna System, DAS is used for both indoors and outdoors. Their deployment started in the 1980s, and today, they are used in many large buildings, including universities, malls, hospitals, hotels, stadiums, airports, and even underground transit systems. There are two main purposes of DAS technology:
- Delivering cellular service inside the building where macrocell signals are weak or nonexistent.
- Providing dedicated capacity inside a building instead of sharing with every subscriber under the cell tower’s coverage.
The antennas of the DAS system are strategically placed throughout the indoor area of the building to enhance or expand the wireless coverage.
Small Cell:
Just like the name implies, small cells are ‘smaller’ versions of the macrocell base stations. Their size allows mobile carriers to place them in areas closer to the users to improve the capacity and reception of signals.
They can cover a smaller area than the macrocells, but because of their sizes, signals can reach areas where macrocells may fail.
So, Which Solution is Right For Your Building?
Depending on your needs and coverage problems, an experienced coverage solutions provider can help you find the right technology for your building. You may need to determine:
- Does my building have a dynamic or static bandwidth demand?
- Does the building have coverage or capacity deficiency?
- Do I need to have service for many or all wireless service providers?
- What’s my current available budget?
By looking at all of these factors, a trusted advisor like TELECO can help you reach a conclusion and decide which in-building coverage solution is best for your needs! We’d like the opportunity to answer any question you have about TELECO. Fill out the contact form, and a TELECO team member will get in touch with you.
