Optimizing Mobile Coverage in Enterprise Buildings
Enterprise buyers can find it challenging to meet the cellular service demands of employees, guests, and contractors. The complexity often lies in grasping the distinctions between cellular and enterprise terminologies and technologies, managing intricate vendor and systems-integration relationships, and coordinating with mobile operators.
1. Which Mobile Operator Coverage is Required for My Building?
The number of mobile operators required significantly impacts the choice between a single-operator system, like enterprise indoor small cells, or a multi-operator Distributed Antenna System (DAS), influencing overall project cost and deployment strategy. A single-operator system can be cost-effective initially if the enterprise has a specific operator contract or focuses on one carrier. In contrast, a multi-operator DAS offers comprehensive coverage but often requires a higher initial investment due to equipment and deployment complexities. It’s crucial to consider mobile operators’ needs to align technology choices with budget and coverage goals, affecting project feasibility and long-term operational efficiency.
Start by considering the type of facility you aim to improve. Different facilities – such as hospitals, enterprise buildings, airports, and higher-education campuses – have unique needs and requirements. For instance, enterprise facilities, which typically range from 100,000 to 500,000 square feet and are occupied by employees, contractors, and guests, offer more flexibility in choosing a mobile operator. If the enterprise has a corporate contract with a specific mobile operator, it might make sense to support only that operator.
Conversely, public venues often need to accommodate all three major U.S. national mobile operators and possibly a regional one. Since every enterprise has distinct needs, IT decision-makers should determine which operators are essential and which are optional.
2. How Do Building Sizes and Coverage Areas Impact Service Improvement Goals?
Understanding the sizes of the buildings and the coverage areas is crucial to ensuring that the system meets your service improvement goals.
Before starting a project, enterprise IT should determine:
If it is a campus project, how many buildings will be included?
How large is the building (or buildings)?
Are there sub basements and/or parking structures?
Projects involving multiple buildings or areas, such as sub basements and parking structures, may have unique requirements. These could include additional interfaces, underground fiber capacity, or outdoor housings, which should be discussed with vendors. Outlining these components in the initial quote is more cost-effective when designing and costing the project.
Fully scoping projects is essential for developing the most effective design. It facilitates comprehensive collaboration with solutions providers to plan and execute the entire project, even if funding must be allocated across multiple fiscal years. This approach ensures that each project stage is strategically managed and executed in alignment with available resources and timelines. By thoroughly scoping the project, stakeholders can optimize design decisions, maximize efficiency, and maintain flexibility in project execution to effectively meet organizational goals and financial constraints.
3. What Is the Subscriber Density (Mobile Users Per Square Foot) in Your Building?
In U.S.-based enterprises, employees typically occupy about 200 square feet, including personal workspaces and communal areas. Each person generally has at least one mobile device, with some carrying two (personal and work). Mobile system design is heavily influenced by the density of subscribers and their respective operators, making this a crucial part of the preparation process.
Subscriber density assumptions can be based on one of the following scenarios:
Single Operator Contract
Every person within the enterprise has a contract phone from one mobile operator. This assumption is valid if an enterprise contract exists or if only one mobile operator requires indoor improvement.
Multiple Operators Support
All guests or tenants in large venues or commercial real estate must be supported. Using the one-third market share distribution model, enterprise adoption assumes that the business supports all mobile operators, regardless of enterprise mobility contracts.
The required headend radio capacity for driving a DAS correlates directly with the number of subscribers connected to each radio. The assumptions regarding square footage dictate how many subscribers each radio can effectively support. This assessment guides the radio types and quantities necessary for adequate capacity and coverage.
Over time, changes in density underscore the advantages of software-driven DAS solutions. These systems enable rapid reconfiguration through network management systems, offering greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods that involve opening ceilings and rewiring sections of the DAS infrastructure. This flexibility is crucial for adapting to evolving subscriber needs and optimizing system performance without extensive physical modifications.
4. What Are Your Specific Performance Goals for Enhancing Mobile Connectivity?
Setting clear performance goals and defining underlying assumptions early in planning are critical to success. Start by identifying issues such as dropped calls during employee mobility or slowdowns and crashes in business applications. The design and implementation of a solution should contribute directly to achieving measurable objectives.
Key performance metrics to consider include:
Speed and Latency: Both are essential for a smooth device owner experience.
Call Drops: Address issues within the building and during transitions entering or exiting.
Capacity Usage: Evaluate backhaul network links, radios, and DAS utilization.
It’s crucial to attach metrics to these performance goals and collaborate closely with the chosen systems integrator to establish a robust measurement process for system acceptance. Long-term monitoring will ensure enterprise IT owners achieve and maintain the expected performance levels.
Designing to achieve performance goals while managing costs requires the expertise of a seasoned engineer and making informed technology choices. While the enterprise IT team holds decision-making authority, the solutions provider is crucial in translating those decisions into practical solutions through technology and design. Establishing a long-term partnership with a trusted cellular technology and solutions provider is ideal, given the continuous evolution of cellular networks where indoor systems must synchronize with outdoor counterparts. Selecting a reputable company with a strong track record of service and support is paramount.
Cellular technology projects are inherently complex, requiring careful navigation by enterprise IT and telecom professionals. Success hinges on having access to accurate information and collaborating closely with trusted solutions integrators and technology suppliers. This framework provides a foundational approach for discussing with potential partners, ensuring alignment and clarity before embarking on large-scale projects.
About MCA
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