What is the solution to poor wireless reception in modern commercial buildings?By: Ravi Mondair

In today’s highly competitive business world, demands for anytime, anywhere access to information is driving the sales of wireless devices such as tablets, smartphones and laptops. Forrester Research predicts that by 2016, 350 million employees will use smartphones of which 200 million will bring their own to work.

Poor interior reception one of the biggest obstacles
With business spend on mobile projects set to grow by 100 per cent by 2015 and more than half of business decision-makers looking to increase their mobile apps budget, it’s no surprise that a recent trend has emerged, which has seen more data traffic travelling from inside buildings. According to Analysys Mason, over 80 percent of global wireless data will be generated indoors by 2016. However, poor indoor wireless coverage is actually recognised as one of the biggest obstacles currently facing mobile users.

Modern construction material, steel-frame office towers, concrete warehouses and new construction techniques have resulted in poor signal strength indoors. A 2012 research report by Finland’s Tampere University of Technology found that the penetration of wireless signals can be up to one hundred times weaker in new buildings than in old ones, with the recent move towards building insulation further exacerbating the situation. However, older buildings made from brick with plastered walls still face some signal penetration problems.

The need for a fix
Wi-Fi is one of the most popular building amenities requested by tenants, making a property that has indoor wireless capabilities more appealing. In a recent survey by property website Globrix.com, 35 per cent of all respondents (17.2 million Britons) said they would not even consider buying or renting a property unless it had mobile phone reception. For 12 per cent of house hunters, the lack of mobile reception would affect the price they are willing to pay. The same can be applied to hotels too. Therefore, properties with strong wireless signal can command higher prices.

This is why it is becoming increasingly important to eliminate mobile/broadband blackspots indoors, particularly in commercial properties. Although wireless operators offer quick-fix solutions like cell repeaters, these are often single-carrier and don’t meet the needs of a commercial building. The ultimate solution is to install a high capacity wireless solution.

There is a strong case for installing the structured cable solution while the building is still under initial construction as it is more cost-effective and non-disruptive, than a retro fit further down the road. However, owners of existing buildings and old building renovators still have an option to update their facilities to achieve wireless universal coverage.

Benefits of Wireless
Flexible wireless infrastructures can enable landlords and developers to offer a more compelling and differentiated proposition to meet tenants and buyers expectations, while providing a value added service, which creates additional revenue. Using IP and wireless technologies, developers and building owners can also benefit from efficiencies derived from implementing smart systems.

Benefits include reduced costs through energy efficiency, reduced capital expenditure and operating expenditure over the lifecycle of a building and better data for maintaining and operating the building. It can also provide a single interface for integrated building services and the ability to control multiple services centrally, allowing landlords to more effectively provide comfortable environments for all tenants.

At the same time, businesses can enjoy the benefits of employees being able to access the Internet wherever they are in the building, improving mobility and enhancing productivity. The wireless infrastructure can also be used for building automation and improved safety and comfort. For example CCTV, temperature sensors and lighting can all be controlled wirelessly and can improve security measures and drive down operation costs, including electricity expenditure.

Wireless in all sectors
Mobile devices and the benefits extend to a whole range of business sectors. Near Field Communications, a contactless radio technology that can transmit data between two devices, is used in mobile phones enabling an array of digital services such as ticketing, payments, access control and couponing, transforming processes. In retail, organisations can make full use of technologies like wireless barcode scanners and radio frequency identification stock tracking, not to mention smart marketing techniques.

Portable devices are also transforming education as technology-enabled learning solutions are becoming commonplace. There has also been a shift towards the widespread use of mobile connectivity in healthcare, cutting costs and increasing the reach and accessibility of healthcare services. Mobile connectivity also gives utility companies and their customers real-time information about energy and water usage.

It is evident that there is a strong case for high capacity indoor coverage for all buildings, whether they are commercial properties, shopping centres, hospitals or a block of flats. The demand for anywhere, anytime Internet access is being driven by portable digital devices such as tablets, and is only set to increase. Developers, construction companies and landlords need to take into consideration the indoor signal strength and take measures to eliminate poor wireless coverage in order to remain competitive and meet end-user demands.

About the author

Ravi Mondair is Managing Director of iWireless Solutions, which was formed in 2006 and offers a wide range of services across multiple technologies, specifically geared to high capacity wireless systems. Ravi has a first class BSc (Hons) in Construction Management & Engineering and has received awards from the CIOB and BeC, as well as for construction and project management.

http://iwireless-solutions.com/