A Boston area college needed to improve the cellular coverage in their main campus. As a large community college in Massachusetts, their staff and large student body expect reliable cell coverage to ensure their productivity and safety. The college set out to find a solution to their poor cellular reception.
The campus had specific issues that needed to be addressed:
- The campus was built in the 1970s and the buildings are made of concrete. The thick walls impeded cellular reception.
- A 700-foot long tunnel which connects several buildings on campus and is used by the college’s facilities department had no cell reception
- A large atrium area used by students as a gathering place and collaboration area needed reliable cell service.
The project was implemented in two phases.
Phase One
The first phase was to establish reliable cell coverage in the first floor and basement of Building E. We determined that for this project, the most effective solution for poor cellular reception would be a Cellular Bidirectional Amplifier (BDA). One challenge for us was the limited access to the roof due to the poured concrete ceilings. We were able to leverage a riser shaft to access the roof and install the antenna unobtrusively.
Phase Two
The second phase was to address the lack of cellular coverage throughout the 700-foot tunnel that connects several buildings and provide reliable cellular reception to the first floor of Building D which includes the atrium. The plan called for the installation of a second cellular BDA system (read more about cellular BDAs here) which was engineered to ensure reliable coverage to both of these areas.
With the project completed, students, faculty and staff can count on reliable cell coverage for their day-to-day use making and receiving texts and calls without frustration or interruption. If there is an emergency, everyone working in the tunnel area has cellular reception so they can receive mass notifications. To learn more about this project, read the full case study.
If you need a solution to address poor cellular reception in your workplace, contact us. We have the experience and knowledge to help you find the solution that is right for you at a cost that is right for your bottom line.
