Everyone has experienced the frustration of dropped calls, slow data speeds, or even complete signal loss the moment they step inside certain buildings. In today’s hyper-connected world, seamless mobile connectivity is both a basic expectation and a business imperative.
But many small to mid-sized enterprises, the “Middleprise,” such as retail businesses, medical office buildings, schools, and multi-dwelling units (MDUs), present unique challenges that make reliable in-building mobile coverage seem unaffordable and difficult to achieve. Facilities in this middle tier may not need or be able to afford a full-spectrum distributed antenna system (DAS) deployment, but still need reliable, comprehensive mobile coverage.
Here are eight key considerations for providing the thorough mobile coverage that tenants, employees, and guests expect and demand.
1. Don’t Assume Wi-Fi Can Do It All
It’s tempting to think Wi-Fi provides enough in-building connectivity. But Wi-Fi doesn’t deliver the benefits of cellular, and staff, tenants, guests, customers, and visitors still expect to conveniently use their mobile devices to make calls, send texts, and use mobile data without the inconvenience and security risks of Wi-Fi. Cellular coverage provides users with mobility, delivered with technology designed for connections in motion and a quality of service that delivers clear voice communications as well as text and data.
2. Assess a Building’s Specific Challenges
Before implementing any solution, thoroughly assess a building’s unique obstacles. Modern energy-efficient materials, low-emissivity glass, concrete, and metal infrastructure can significantly block cellular signals. Identify dead zones and measure existing signal penetration from outdoor networks. Understanding which carriers have the strongest signals and where they’re weakest will inform coverage strategy and help prioritize areas for improvement.
3. Multiple Options
Not every building needs a full-spectrum distributed antenna system (DAS). For buildings up to 150,000 square feet, consider solutions specifically designed for the Middleprise market. These systems can leverage existing outdoor signals and distribute them throughout a building without requiring costly equipment from mobile service providers. Look for solutions that support multiple carriers and frequency bands while offering scalability for future growth.
4. Go Off the Air
Explore solutions that leverage “off-air” signals from nearby cellular towers. This approach can provide coverage without lengthy approval processes or ongoing carrier fees. FCC Part 20 consumer signal booster systems are pre-approved to amplify and distribute off-air signals, making deployments faster and more cost-effective, while providing service immediately after installation.
5. Look for Multi-Carrier Support
Since the people in your building are customers of the three major mobile carriers, your coverage solution should provide access to their networks. Implement systems that can support the major mobile network operators, ensuring comprehensive coverage regardless of which one your occupants use. This multi-carrier approach eliminates the need for separate solutions for each service provider, reducing the costs and disruptions to your business, while creating a better user experience.
6. Right-Size the Solution
Choose solutions that can grow with your needs. Systems that support expansion from small installations to larger deployments provide the flexibility to adapt as connectivity demands evolve. This scalable approach lowers the cost and complexity of your project, reduces the number of rooftop antennas, protects your initial investment, and provides a simple method to densify the system to support your growing business.
7. Prioritize Aesthetics
In commercial environments, retail, hospitality venues, healthcare facilities, and even offices, visual impact matters. Look for remote units that are small, unobtrusive, and aesthetically pleasing. Modern solutions can deliver superior output power in compact form factors that blend seamlessly with a building’s design. This is particularly important in customer-facing areas where bulky equipment could detract from the user experience.
8. Get Smart About Management
Deploy solutions with integrated intelligence that can automatically optimize performance in response to changing conditions. Look for systems with self-optimizing algorithms that evaluate carrier signals and adjust amplification levels without manual intervention. Additionally, ensure your solution includes web-based interfaces and remote monitoring features that enable system integrators and facilities personnel to manage performance.
Connecting the Path Forward
To help Middleprise venues implement these strategies effectively, the SOLiD BARS™ solution was designed specifically for small to mid-sized facilities. Supporting up to three frequency bands for each of the three major U.S. carriers, SOLiD BARS provides comprehensive multi-carrier coverage that works for everyone.
The SOLiD BARS solution simplifies delivery of carrier-grade mobile capacity over standard structured cabling infrastructure to small, aesthetically pleasing remote units (RUs) installed throughout the building. The platform scales up to 40 remote units per headend, offering the flexibility to grow with a building’s needs.
Backed by SOLiD’s 25+ years of proven expertise and reputation for quality, the SOLiD BARS solution delivers the performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness required for comprehensive coverage in challenging mid-sized facilities. Contact Us to learn how the SOLiD BARS solution keeps occupants connected wherever they work, shop, live, and play.