DAS A DAS distributes RF signals from a central point to antennas located throughout the facility to provide ubiquitous coverage and capacity. They are primarily used in large buildings, stadiums, public spaces, airports and outdoor environments. DAS networks can accommodate a large number of people and a variety of frequency bands and technologies. They can be designed to house all wireless carriers, which is often referred to as a neutral-host design. A DAS can also scale so new carriers or frequencies can be added to the system after it has been deployed (Figure 2).
From Blueprint to Broadband: Ensuring Seamless Connectivity in Modern Buildings
to reduce radio signal strength by as much as 15 dBm. This means that the signal is only 1/32 its original strength after it passes through the glass — roughly equivalent to passing through a 1-inch-thick sheet of concrete. Two of the most prevalent in-building technologies — distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells — have provided a way for operators to supplement coverage and capacity for indoor spaces not adequately served by the outdoor macrocellular network and relieve pressure and congestion from outdoor data demands.
By Tracy Ford
In-building connectivity options are increasing as spectrum is being deployed both in licensed bands and lightly licensed bands. Building owners, tenants, and the people driving their ICT requirements demand device connectivity throughout their buildings and across campuses. Enterprises are using 4G and 5G licensed cellular spectrum to augment Wi-Fi systems as well as Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) to improve connectivity. Companies are also increasingly using private wireless networks to improve connectivity across their orgnizations. A private cellular network enables a corporation, business or organization (e.g., hospital, university, hotel) to use the same network technology as mobile network operators (MNOs) but for a private, closed network, where the use of the network is limited to a specific group of people, employees and/or devices. A private cellular network may be interconnected to commercial cellular networks so that users of the private network can maintain a connection as they move away from the private network. Private networks are not new, but what has changed is the availability of CBRS, 150 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. With CBRS, virtually anyone can purchase network equipment from a number of companies, own (or lease access to) a (virtual) evolved packet core (EPC) and set up their own, self-contained, private network. Today enterprises have a choice – they can work with a wireless operator (and many choose to do so for a variety of reasons) or use CBRS spectrum independently. THE IN-BUILDING EXPERIENCE Mobile data usage continues to skyrocket in the U.S. as people use their mobile devices as computers to connect to the Internet, apps, and the people around them. As employees return to work in the office, building owners and employers recognized that
they need to make the office environment attractive for employees. That includes providing high-quality, indoor wireless coverage. In fact, many tenants are demanding an improved in-building connected experience for hybrid and in-office employees as part of lease renewals. As part of its In-Building Forum initiative, WIA conducted an online survey of U.S. enterprise IT professionals who were responsible and/or knowledgeable of their company’s in-building and campus wireless network deployments (Figure 1).
• 59 percent of IT professionals said maintaining and growing revenues is their top focus.
• 47 percent of IT professionals said upgrading or modifying connectivity and applications to enable a more flexible workforce for the future is a major challenge. • Ensuring reliable network coverage within company buildings and operational sites is a priority for more than 32 percent of IT managers. Cellular telephony originally was conceived as a mobile technology with a focus on outdoor usage, with base stations and antenna equipment designed to operate at high power over long distances. Now, the intrinsic benefits of mobility and the advent of smartphones have combined to make mobile phones the preferred medium for indoor communications as well. The macro network has been and continues to be effective in reaching inside buildings in most cases. But outside-in approaches can be hindered by the advent of energy-efficient building practices, such as Low-emission (Low-E) glass, which has been shown
FIGURE 1: Infographic depicting U.S. cellular network infrastructure by the numbers. Source: WIA
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ICT TODAY
April/May/June 2025
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