With the ever increasing use of smart phones in wireless networks and the increase in information shared including social media, digital music, streaming video, work documentation and application collaboration, mobile broadband is creating exponential growth of data traffic capacity demands. With the high volume of multi-media applications, the overall mobile network infrastructure must be more robust with both higher cell density and improved signal levels. An estimated 70-90% of the mobile traffic demand is for indoor application and usage. This requires dramatic improvements in both the macro network and in-building capacity.
Environmental reasons and increased energy costs mean modern structures are built to insulate from the outdoors. Unfortunately the reflective window coatings commonly used also isolate the structure from the outdoor wireless networks. Moreover, many commercial buildings don’t have the in-building wireless (IBW) infrastructure to support the levels of broadband connectivity to meet the growing demand of mobile users. With the increase of user subscription choices and the expectation of continuous connectivity, both from a personal and business perspective, there has been a high level of turnover in the industry encouraging operators to find optimized solutions to meet end-user demand and expectation yet also protect revenues.
With this increased high speed data usage the market has been faced with a challenge in meeting mobile demand. The Distributed Antenna System (DAS) addresses this market challenge by distributing radio frequency (RF) signals across antennas that are remote from the base transceiver station (BTS). As a result, DAS enables carriers to provide pinpoint coverage in difficult-to-zone areas for a seamless end-user experience and, ultimately, increase revenues.
The key success factors for integrating a DAS focus on system performance, effects on the macro network, flexibility and expansion of the solution to ensure a solid return on investment today, and well into the future.