Does your building have areas where no one seems to be able to make or receive calls? Or, if they do manage to achieve the feat of getting a call through it drops without warning. Understanding your communications issues makes it easier to identify effective solutions that can help you correct those problems.
Common In-Building Wireless Coverage Issues for Two-Way Radios and Cell Phones
The solutions for common coverage issues in buildings vary according to the specific problems experienced. Some of the most common problems users experience include:
- Dropped calls and dead zones
- Low signals for cell phones and two-way radios
- Coverage in some areas of the building are better than others
The causes of these problems are just as varied as the problems themselves. For instance, new buildings, or even new additions to buildings, often have thicker, denser walls and glass that make it infinitely more difficult for two-way radio or cellular signals to pass through.
Some areas of buildings typically face difficulties for communication as well. These are generally areas where additional structural support may be present, such as:
- Elevators
- Stairwells
- Underground levels
- Tunnels
Some of the most common places that face in-building coverage issues in Michigan include:
- Government and municipal buildings
- Healthcare facilities
- Hotels and hospitality structures
- Manufacturing and distribution centers
- Education campuses
These are buildings or, in some cases campuses, that cover large amounts of real estate. Some of them are spread out over large distances while others have multiple outer walls, tunnels, underground structures, and fortified structures.
Skyscrapers and especially tall buildings also face unique communications challenges. Upper floor businesses often experience interference from cellular towers located on the tops of buildings. Lower floors experience low signal problems because of the additional floors and walls acting as physical barriers to the signal source.
How we Diagnose Your Problem Areas
How to Improve In-Building Coverage in Michigan
Depending on the specific causes of your in-building communication challenges, Tele-Rad may recommend one of the following solutions:
- Distributed Antenna System
- Bi-Directional Amplifiers
A Distributed Antenna System, or DAS system, addresses two-way radios problems and mobile phone problems at the same time. It works by picking up signals as they enter buildings and distributing them to the hard to reach areas of the building. When done right, a DAS solution can improve signal accessibility up to 90 percent throughout your building.
The Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) is a signal booster in its own right that is often used along with a DAS. The BDA is a repeater that boosts signals covering different frequencies. Together, the two create a wireless in-building solution for businesses of all kinds. The BDA is especially useful for improving signals in the following locations:
- High-rise buildings
- Large healthcare campuses
- Stadiums and arenas
- Manufacturing facilities
- Large, sprawling commercial campuses
- Academic campuses
- Distribution centers
BDAs are particularly beneficial to organizations that operate in structures made of cement and/or steel. These buildings are designed and built with materials that are highly disruptive to wireless signals. BDAs help these signals penetrate to the deepest darkest recesses of these buildings to promote better communication all around.
What’s so great about these in-building coverage solutions? They offer cost-effective solutions that allow businesses to improve the coverage of their existing communications systems while avoiding the upfront investment of the time and money required to install a brand new communication system in their buildings.
With locations in Holland, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Traverse City, and Benton Harbor, Tele-Rad is ready to help you get the in-building mobile coverage you need throughout Michigan. Contact Tele-Rad today to book your coverage testing and receive custom in-building coverage recommendations.