INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Tech Talk
operator is required to install or run
the system. Users need to manually
authenticate the system, but this is a
one-time process.
the technology, building owners must
acknowledge that ignoring this issue
could result in more costly work in
the future. Engaging with architects,
facilities managers and enterprises
at an early stage will ultimately save
money – as well as providing an
enhanced user experience. Only by
taking the lead will building owners
be able to provide much needed
connectivity in their properties.
For reliable wireless voice connectivity,
and for supporting visitors or
customers, cellular is the clear
choice. No manual authentication is
required and voice is inherently and
fully supported. The user does not
become a burden on the enterprise IT
department, rather they are supported
by their mobile service provider.
According to research commissioned
by CommScope, 87% of building
professionals believe that it is
imperative to have in-building cellular
coverage in all areas of their buildings.
How to deploy IBW
Distributed antenna systems (DAS)
are suited to high-profile, multi-band,
multi-operator environments and
therefore have been used extensively
in large stadiums, airports and other
public buildings such as convention
and shopping centres. All of these
environments are characterised by
large numbers of users who bring
their own devices (the Bring Your Own
Device or BYOD principle) and their
own mobile network operators.
Recent advances in DAS have helped
the technology scale economically
down to serve larger office buildings
and enterprises. For example,
CommScope’s ION-E uses compact
head-end equipment and an all-digital
fronthaul to simplify the in-building
cabling infrastructure. This class of
product is sometimes referred to as
Enterprise DAS.
Small cells have typically been used
in small and medium size office
buildings and other commercial
venues characterised by lower (but
still significant) usage volume and
fewer operators or frequency bands.
Technically DAS can serve the needs of
these venues, but because of its high
72
INTELLIGENTCIO
Femi Oshiga, Sales Director MEA,
Commscope
fixed costs DAS has not been a cost-
effective solution for them.
Cloud-RAN (C-RAN) small cells begin
to bridge the gap between these two
technologies. Because the baseband
processing is centralised, C-RAN can
take advantage of higher-capacity
microprocessor platforms without
burdening the cost of each radio
point. And because C-RAN creates a
single physical cell, radio frequency
planning is simplified relative to
standalone small cells in which each
access point risks interfering with all
of its neighbours. C-RAN enables cell
virtualisation, a method of creating
multiple virtual sectors of capacity
within a single physical cell without
introducing border interference, by
tightly coordinating transmissions
between radios and users.
Funding your IBW solution
While there are clearly concerns
around the cost and complexity of
Leaving financial implications and
technical complexities aside, the
obligation for businesses to install
such a dedicated system is apparent.
Nowadays, residents across mature
markets in Africa expect to have
cellular connectivity inside buildings,
in the same way they expect a reliable
supply of electricity, water and gas.
Interestingly, the study found that
cellular mobile coverage indoors
could increase a property’s value by
28% – meaning a £2.5 million office
building could be worth £700,000
more with a dedicated indoor cellular
system. Moreover, 60% of those who
participated in the survey admitted
that indoor wireless connectivity was
‘imperative’ for workers.
Who Are
CommScope
CommScope helps companies
around the world design, build
and manage their wired and
wireless networks. Our network
infrastructure solutions help
customers increase bandwidth;
maximize existing capacity;
improve network performance
and availability; increase
energy efficiency and simplify
technology migration. Vital
networks around the world run
on CommScope solutions.
o c . i t n e g i l e t n i .