How to immediately improve cell signal inside a building
Read Storyby Christian Betancourt
Reading Time: 3 minutesBuilding owners are now being asked to play an active part in providing proper connectivity at sites and the savviest owners are taking proactive steps to be prepared for the connectivity needs of tomorrow. So, what is the best way to provide that connectivity to your residents – cellular DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) or managed wi-fi? The answer is both.
As a multifamily building owner or manager, you already know that the future of multifamily living is heavily reliant on in-building connectivity: data demands are surging, remote work is becoming the norm, and buildings thirst for unprecedented levels of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity. That means that multifamily properties, of all sizes and scopes, must offer a reliable, user-friendly option for connectivity across their entire property — from common areas to amenities, to each resident’s home and every step in between.
The stakes of providing this connectivity have never been higher. The National Multifamily Housing Council survey determined that the number one most requested amenity is cell signal, and 9 out of 10 residents claimed they wouldn’t rent their home without connectivity. When the average American user has 13.4 connected devices, and an ever-growing need for uplink and downlink to sustain their work and personal lives, it’s not enough to let residents figure it out on their own. Building owners are increasingly being asked to play an active part in facilitating proper connectivity at sites and the savviest owners are taking proactive steps to be prepared for the multi-faceted connectivity needs of tomorrow.
So, what is the best way to provide that connectivity to your residents – cellular DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) or managed wi-fi? Enter the era of parallel deployment—where managed Wi-Fi and cellular DAS work hand in hand. Building owners are recognizing that the future demands a multifaceted approach to connectivity. It’s not about choosing one over the other; it’s about creating a symphony of networks that work together to create a seamless wireless experience.
Cellular DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and managed Wi-Fi both provide high-speed access to the internet, but Wi-Fi has certain performance gaps, such as lack of stability, slower speeds and security risks, that cellular DAS can easily fill. Parallel deployment of Wi-Fi and cellular DAS delivers the best of both worlds, with no gaps.
So, while Wi-Fi has its relevant uses, it’s not a catch-all solution for online access, and it’s certainly not built to support multifamily connectivity at scale all on its own. By adding an expertly installed cellular DAS system from Illuminati Labs alongside your current managed Wi-Fi, you can be assured all your critical connectivity bases are covered.