Today’s global economy runs on connectivity. Indeed, Internet access is now considered to be an essential utility, with billions of dollars being spent on broadband access. In the U.S., government infrastructure programs such as the Internet For All Initiative are doling out huge grants to ensure equal Internet access for everyone.

As demand for always-on digital voice and data access continues to skyrocket, high-quality mobile service is increasingly important to consumers and businesses alike. That demand is largely indoors, where more than 80 percent of all mobile voice and data traffic occurs. This in-building connectivity need is only escalating due to the demand for 5G mobile service, Industry 4.0 private networks, and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.

Yet, many modern building materials block radio frequency (RF) signals, restricting indoor mobile communications and leading to poor service and dropped calls. Therefore, to deliver seamless connectivity throughout commercial buildings, enterprise offices, high-rise apartments, and university campuses, building owners and network operators frequently install fiber-to-the-edge distributed antenna system (DAS) technology. In fact, the global DAS market is expected to maintain an annual growth rate of more than 6 percent to reach a value of $13 billion by 2028.

Funding DAS

Without reliable in-building mobile connectivity, many businesses are at a competitive disadvantage. Yet, the average enterprise or commercial building tenant may not be willing or able to invest in DAS equipment deployment to provide dedicated capacity for their employees and customers. This market need has given rise to DAS Network as a Service (NaaS) — a new trend in digital infrastructure investments.

System integrators and third-party network operators deploy DAS platforms in commercial buildings and venues, providing network connectivity to building owners and tenants. The network operator assumes the risk of purchasing, deploying, and operating the DAS equipment, delivering maximum coverage and capacity quickly and efficiently throughout the building or campus. With a DAS NaaS offering, building owners have an affordable, pay-as-you-go method to quickly solve poor in-building mobile coverage and maximize commercial real estate value with minimal upfront investment.

With the popularity of this NaaS offering, the DAS as a Service (DaaS) trend is quickly disrupting the in-building connectivity landscape. That’s why a growing number of digital infrastructure investors are investing in the DaaS market, seeking a safe haven to maximize their infrastructure investments.

Boost Return on Investment

Poor mobile connectivity is no longer acceptable in today’s economy. To ensure the reliable delivery of seamless in-building 5G service, a number of leading DaaS service providers, including Strategic Venue Partners (SVP), RF Connect, and CTS are deploying the SOLiD ALLIANCE 5G DAS solution. The SOLiD ALLIANCE edgeROU FIBER2ANTENNA technology offers maximum coverage, capacity, and speed in a small, energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing platform, improving productivity, ensuring customer satisfaction, and increasing property values.

Rob Cerbone, VP of Product Management and Marketing at managed service provider Communication Technology Services (CTS), said, “We’ve definitely seen more market demand for NaaS. The advantages of NaaS for building owners who need to provide high-quality in-building connectivity include staff optimization, preservation of capital, and the assurance of future-technology service. Most of all, NaaS allows companies to focus on their core business.”

“Increasingly, we recommend DAS as a Service to customers because it empowers them to forego the upfront capital expenditure of a DAS and, instead, reallocate that capital for other uses or investments. Equally compelling, the DAS as a Service model guarantees technology refreshes and band addition upgrades over the term, which ensures connectivity requirements are met across what we at RF Connect refer to as the ‘Now, Near, and Far’ timeframe,” explained Josh Gerst, VP of Engineering at RF Connect.

“Strategic Venue Partners is transforming wireless connectivity by bridging the gap between enterprise venues and carriers, paving the path for the world’s most vital industries to grow and adapt with the evolving demands on their digital infrastructure. We partner with venues and carriers to design, develop, install, own, operate and upgrade bespoke in-building wireless systems, utilizing the latest technologies such as the SOLiD ALLIANCE edgeROU FIBER2ANTENNA and more,” noted Justin Marron, CEO of Strategic Venue Partners (SVP). “SVP’s unique and long-term approach to delivering critical infrastructure reduces the connectivity and financial burden for enterprise businesses by meeting their existing needs while planning for future technological changes and developments through a utility-based model that benefits everyone.”

With NaaS powered by the SOLiD ALLIANCE DAS edgeROU solution, commercial building owners are providing tenants with the in-building 5G coverage they crave, with no upfront investment and minimal risk. And savvy digital infrastructure investors and financial firms have an ideal opportunity to maximize their return on investment in this emergent market. To learn more about in-building mobile coverage, DAS, and NaaS, please visit our video library at https://solid.com/us/resources/multimedia/videos.