Today’s economy relies heavily on digital data and voice communications — everywhere and all the time. From hotels, hospitals, and coffee shops to sports stadiums, college campuses, and even in the subway, people expect to be in constant contact with work, friends, loved ones, emergency services, and the internet. Without seamless connectivity, that communication breaks down. This is not only frustrating, but also leaves many businesses and organizations at a competitive disadvantage.
Of course, there are various technologies available to enable connectivity on-the-go, including Wi-Fi, public and private 5G mobile networks, and satellite communications. Yet, with more than 80 percent of all mobile voice and data traffic occurring indoors, in-building connectivity technologies are vital for businesses to deliver a positive guest experience while ensuring public safety.
DAS vs. Wi-Fi: Which One Wins Indoors?
When considering indoor connectivity, many device users first think of Wi-Fi. After all, Wi-Fi service is ubiquitous, familiar, and often free to use. If service is not available from the nearest public mobile network, switching to an indoor Wi-Fi network makes sense under some circumstances.
However, Wi-Fi capacity is not unlimited, with limited user capacity per access point. Wi-Fi networks are easily overwhelmed by traffic surges, such as at large events or during peak travel times in an airport or mass transit station. Likewise, Wi-Fi frequencies are susceptible to interference and ‘dead zones’ in challenging environments, and are subject to signal degradation due to concrete, glass, or steel. For example, heavy equipment, dense shelving, and metal objects can absorb or deflect Wi-Fi signals in manufacturing and industrial environments, causing unreliable and spotty coverage, which leads to poor productivity and lost profits.
Moreover, many Wi-Fi networks are also not secure, which is particularly concerning for sensitive data environments. In fact, cyber-attacks on Wi-Fi networks are on the rise, with 94 percent of networks vulnerable to attack. These threats include evil twin attacks, packet sniffing, denial of service (DoS) attacks, MAC address spoofing, and Wi-Fi phishing, whereby malicious actors create fake Wi-Fi access points to lure users into revealing personal information.
5G Everywhere
As 5G adoption escalates, many mobile subscribers expect 24/7 access to 5G service wherever they go. Unfortunately, mobile network radio frequency (RF) signals are typically blocked from reaching inside buildings due to nearby terrain and foliage, neighboring buildings, and energy-efficient modern building materials such as ‘Low-E’ glass and other reflective surfaces. In-building mobile connectivity is further degraded by interior walls, furniture, and cubicles, resulting in weak signals or frequent dropped calls.
Even when the outdoor network does penetrate a building with sufficient strength and quality, the amount of available capacity is another factor for consideration. Because the nearest cellular site is sharing capacity over a wide area — including other buildings, cars, buses, and pedestrians — it is possible that your building’s occupants will experience failed connections, dropped calls, and slow data during peak hours when trying to use the outdoor network’s signals.
Due to these challenges, building owners and businesses need dedicated capacity and scalable coverage to ensure seamless in-building connectivity for employees, guests, and visitors. Distributed antenna system (DAS) technology offers a solution, providing reliable coverage that is designed specifically for your building’s unique attributes, such as size, shape, furnishings, and construction materials. This engineered approach overcomes dead zones in any challenging environment by delivering the necessary signal intensity uniformly throughout the facility. Consider how lighting and sprinklers are designed in a building to ensure adequate illumination and fire suppression throughout that building, and apply the same concept to cellular communication. This approach eliminates areas with poor signal and provides dedicated mobile capacity to achieve a high quality of service to support your organization’s goals.
Top Scenarios Where a DAS Is the Right Fit
Ready at a Moment’s Notice
In many buildings, reliable connectivity is not just a nice-to-have amenity. For example, DAS platforms serve as critical infrastructure in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. This enables doctors and staff to access electronic health records and test data on their mobile devices, no matter which hospital or clinic they are working in on any given day, as well as allowing patients to stay connected with family and friends. In addition, as more healthcare professionals rely on automation, dedicated DAS systems help ensure vital 5G connectivity for automated and IoT-connected medical devices.
Similarly, mobile communications are mission-critical in data centers. With service level agreements (SLAs) requiring near 100 percent uptime, and hefty fees for non-compliance, time is of the essence when operations are down. As a result, ops teams need reliable connectivity at all times to ensure ready access to support personnel and online troubleshooting resources. Access to mobile network connectivity is particularly important with the prevalence of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies.
Likewise, always-on communications technology is critical for emergency preparedness. Many new buildings are subject to international fire code regulations mandating acceptable in-building connectivity and approved wireless radio coverage for emergency responders. For this reason, regulatory bodies in various regions are advocating for enhanced indoor cellular coverage to ensure public safety communications. This growing trend is encouraging further investment in public safety DAS infrastructure due to its importance in providing seamless connectivity during emergencies.
Building Real Estate ROI
High-quality, in-building connectivity creates a positive experience that makes it easier to lease space and improves retention, providing value for commercial real estate (CRE) companies looking to attract and retain office or retail tenants. Keeping loyal tenants satisfied with connectivity not only helps maintain higher occupancy rates, but tenants often are willing to pay more in rent to gain better communications access, thereby increasing leasing rates.
Moreover, investing in wireless communications equipment provides a technology evolution path to create a more efficient, “smarter” building. For example, the latest fiber-to-the-edge DAS technology enables CRE managers to use 5G and IoT to automatically control building systems such as security cameras, lighting, and “smart” thermostats.
Meet High Traffic Demand
In high-density areas where large numbers of people are present, networks can become overloaded quickly – especially when venue capacity is highly fluid. Stadiums, shopping malls, event venues, and universities can all experience significant fluctuations in traffic demand. When this capacity demand is not met, such as during large events, the result is not only frustrating but can also present serious security issues.
Today, mass transit commuters and travelers expect uninterrupted wireless connectivity, even during peak travel times. Inside subway tunnels, railway depots, expansive airport terminals, and underground transit stations, mobile signals are often weak or nonexistent. These environments present special challenges, from high ceilings to narrow tunnels that weave through harsh environments. Dedicated DAS systems are available to meet these demanding conditions.
Distributed Antenna System Benefits
Mobile technology advancements are not slowing down anytime soon, and the ongoing evolution of new mobile capabilities will continue to usher in new business and personal applications that increase our reliance on in-building mobile communications. Without mobile connectivity, communication breaks down, leaving businesses and public institutions at a competitive disadvantage. Ultimately, investing in a DAS deployment makes sense in any environment where consistent and reliable in-building mobile coverage is needed.
Because each indoor environment is different, selecting a solution like the SOLiD ALLIANCE 5G DAS platform offers maximum design flexibility for easy upgrades and long-term value, while delivering higher performance, lower latency, and greater bandwidth to cover any building configuration. To learn more, watch this brief video.
FAQ
What is a distributed antenna system (DAS)?
A distributed antenna system (DAS) is a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source, improving wireless service within a building or area by eliminating dead spots. It functions by distributing a signal (from a cell tower or a base station) through cables and amplifiers to multiple antenna nodes placed throughout a building or area. These nodes act like mini cell towers, improving coverage and capacity, and are particularly useful in large buildings, stadiums, and complex environments where traditional signal penetration is challenging.
Why use DAS?
DAS enhances indoor cellular coverage, ensuring consistent wireless connectivity. It benefits areas with complex architecture, high user density, or where signals are obstructed.
What is the difference between DAS and Wi-Fi?
DAS (Distributed Antenna System) and Wi-Fi are both wireless systems, but they serve different purposes. DAS is primarily designed to enhance cellular network coverage within buildings or specific areas, ensuring consistent signal strength for mobile devices.
On the other hand, Wi-Fi provides wireless internet connectivity using radio frequencies, typically in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. While DAS enhances voice and mobile data coverage, Wi-Fi facilitates local network connections and internet access.