Challenge:
Cell phones and tablets are everywhere today. They are a vital part of every business. Due to high-level expectations of wireless end users today, cellular coverage as well as two-way radio reception is expected to be nearly ubiquitous both indoors and outside. Business owners cannot afford reduced productivity from their workforce due to spotty-to-no voice and data coverage. In addition, there is a marked increase in the reliance of smartphones and wireless devices to perform mission-critical tasks. Poor signal is caused by building materials, line-of-sight issues, thick tree cover and densely configured interior spaces. Radio signals are electromagnetic waves that travel freely through the air, but can be absorbed, reflected, and diffracted by various materials. Current building codes call for thicker facades, stronger glass, engineered steel supports, and recommend sweeping enhancements to in-building communications capabilities. Full service availability is now expected in stairwells, parking garages, and underground spaces.
The Solution:
Where cellular coverage becomes spotty or nonexistent inside large buildings or structures, an indoor network distributes RF signals over coaxial or fiber optic cable to antennas mounted at key locations along corridors or in common areas throughout a large facility. Poor wireless signal can all be rectified through the design, implementation, and optimization of cellular and/or two-way public safety amplifications systems. Most buildings lend themselves to becoming good candidates for signal amplification when the HPI technician performs a thorough site survey.
System Components: Roof antenna, amplifier, coaxial or fiber optic cable, indoor coverage antennas, splitters and couplers.
Budget:
All HPI systems are custom designed for each application. One (1) or two( 2) story buildings of two(2) to five( 5) thousand square feet with medium construction challenges have run from four (4) to seven (7) thousand dollars. Larger, multi-story buildings have run as high as one hundred fifty thousand dollars but have had quicker payback. The steps for HPI design includes:
- Performing a site walk of the space capturing outdoor signal strength at donor location.
- Completing the in-building questionnaire.
- Obtaining the floor plans from the building owner, architect, tenant or property manager.
- Capturing the building material information, carriers desired, as well as rooftop outdoor signal per carrier.
- Standard or plenum-rated cabling as needed
- HPI Sales and/or Engineering Teams will provide a quote upon full receipt of the required information(typically within 5-7 business days).
The Results:
HPI installed in-building cell phone signal amplification systems have resulted in increased employee productivity, with faster and better customer service for the businesses in the buildings. There is also a faster and higher leasing of buildings that include our systems.
