Brendan Hourihane, senior director at connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider Freshwave looks at the importance of connectivity within a building.
Smart buildings, once the stuff of science fiction, are now part of everyday life. Tenants today demand higher-spec buildings and greater energy efficiency, causing changes in how buildings are designed, constructed, and managed. But this in turn creates challenges; and none more so than when it comes to mobile connectivity – the silent hero keeping smart buildings smart.
For operations staff, mobile connectivity is key to providing tenants with a truly smart building experience. By integrating mobile apps with buildings systems, operations can ensure that tenants can best access all the amenities that smart buildings have to offer. Whether it’s checking the canteen menu, booking meeting rooms, reserving shared bikes, or even accessing the building itself, these apps are essential to the tenant experience. For tenants, this seamless access is what makes a smart building smart. Accessing these systems while moving around the building isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must.
Robust mobile connectivity enables communication between team members, contractors, and others inside and outside a building. It’s now even possible to bring multi-operator mobile connectivity into the lifts, so callers can keep chatting from basement-level entry to their arrival in the office on the top floor. Mobile signal helps operations staff quickly control the environment, coordinate maintenance tasks and respond to emergencies. This level of control and efficiency would be impossible without strong mobile network infrastructure.
The modern office isn’t just a place to work, but a battleground in the war for talent. Post-pandemic, office-based businesses sometimes struggle to attract employees who have grown used to the comforts of working from home. A big part of making the office appealing is seamless mobile connectivity; no one wants to put up with worse mobile coverage at work than they get at home. And with staff members subscribed to different mobile network operators, buildings must provide comprehensive coverage for all networks, not just one.
Offices aren’t the only places where connectivity is king. In warehouses, industrial sites, and retail spaces, maintaining clear, consistent communication is also paramount. Warehouses need to keep objects and people running smoothly, which means they need reliable ways for staff to say aligned. Shopping centres rely on mobile connectivity to keep customers happy. Robust mobile connectivity ensures the only thing shoppers will be frustrated by is choosing which outfit to buy, not waiting for the payment to go through.
Achieving seamless connectivity in modern buildings is not without challenges. Some of the very features that make modern buildings environmentally friendly, such as energy-efficient materials, insulated windows, and thick walls, can severely inhibit mobile signal penetration.
Fortunately, there is technology to overcome these obstacles. Enter indoor small cells and distributed antenna systems (DAS), the key to solving mobile connectivity woes.
Small cells, which are low-power wireless access points, enhance mobile coverage and capacity inside buildings by connecting securely to the mobile operators' networks. The latest development in small cells, Omni Network, can deliver all four UK mobile operators (Vodafone, Three, EE, Virgin Media O2) in one box, reducing equipment, cabling, and installation needs.
For larger buildings with high numbers of people, a DAS distributes mobile connectivity uniformly across wide areas, overcoming the signal-blocking challenges posed by modern construction materials. These systems deploy a network of discreet antenna nodes that are linked to a common source, providing seamless coverage into every nook and cranny of a building.
4G and 5G private networks offer an additional connectivity option and provide the security, licenced frequencies and superior capacity of public networks, but dedicated exclusively to one organisation. They can be particularly useful in facilities with sensitive operations looking for a dedicated communications channel, or factories dealing with hazardous or otherwise hack-sensitive materials. Unlike Wi-Fi, which can suffer from interference and security vulnerabilities, 4G and 5G private networks use licensed spectrum, ensuring that signal is secure as well as strong.
As we continue to push the boundaries of what smart buildings can achieve, we must ensure that our digital infrastructure is up for the challenge. By embracing the latest in mobile connectivity technology, building owners and operations staff can do more than just meet expectations—they can exceed them, keeping their buildings not just smart, but downright genius.