DELIVERING EXPANDED BANDWIDTH ANYWHERE
Bandwidth solutions at any venue. Modern devices demand a fast and reliable digital connection. We work with sports and entertainment venues to deliver high speed and dependable connections.
DAS
If you build it, they will come…and the people who come will want to share the sights and sounds with their friends, in real-time. This massive spike in bandwidth requirements can overload the traditional wireless networks and leave your customers feeling frustrated and ignored. The best way to overcome this challenge is to share infrastructure costs, and install a high quality Distributed Antenna System or (DAS). With the right equipment, installation, and system integration you can ensure your customers enjoy to the fullest extent their experience.
The equipment used to complete a DAS is different than a traditional Macro Cell and careful steps must be taken to ensure all major wireless carriers can participate in utilizing the system. A Neutral Host System with active electronics works best for almost all venues and indoor public places. This architecture choice then drives the type of network equipment used such as the RBS cabinets, RRUs, AIPs, Prisms, Antennas, etc. Proper planning should also be taken to make sure the equipment footprint requirements are met via the equipment housing facility.
The installation of a DAS can very complex and thus, one that should be completed by an experienced firm. The multi-tenant requirements for electrical service and fiber providers demand strong coordination and separate termination points. Rack and cable management must be in place to ensure that not only can the proper equipment be positioned correctly, but that future maintenance can be provided without being disruptive to other carriers. Top this off with a healthy dose of maintenance window installations and stealth antenna placements and it is easy to see why experience matters.
Once the equipment has been put into place, it must be thoroughly tested before it can be commissioned onto the network. Sweep tests, PIM tests, Fiber tests, and ultimately drive testing are all needed to make sure the network is performing as designed. One of the most critical components of a DAS network is to ensure the Neighbor Lists are correctly scripted. If not, handoffs fail and the Quality of Service rapidly declines…and they are not self-correcting.
This is where drive testing coupled with on-site “go live” teams can quickly diagnose and ultimately cure the problem. Another area to pay special attention to is closeouts. Due to the volume of nodes usually deployed along with the complexity of these types of systems, it is imperative to develop accurate closeouts so that ongoing maintenance is smooth as silk.
Small Cell Modern devices demand bandwidth, small cell provides it
Worldwide, the number of mobile connected devices exceeded the world’s population…back in 2014. In North America, over 75% of these devices are data-enabled which continues to drive the need for greater speed. Small Cell technology can address a big portion of this challenge but it is not easy to deploy. Backhaul fiber is definitely a challenge, and our experience can help you focus on the three critical aspects of deployment: Equipment – Installation – Integration.
Small cell deployments can be more complex than Macro Cell and thus, more challenging. Right of Way (ROW) knowledge is critical in the planning and permitting stages, but it is the volume and diversity of equipment that drives complexity. First in consideration are the poles that equipment will be mounted on. Are they existing poles or are they new? Are they going to be made of wood, steel, concrete, or perhaps a composite material? All this must be worked through to determine the proper mounting hardware for the RRUs, the antennas, a coyote box, and a meter base. With the high volume of a typical small cell deployment, special attention must be given to equipment logistics to insure that timelines stay on track.
Installing a small cell starts with utility coordination, both electrical and fiber. Consideration must be given to routing so that the providers can be terminated in the proper locations. It is also important to make sure the fiber provider has the correct strand count for termination. Pole installation or modification then occurs depending on whether a new or existing pole is used. Mounting the network equipment is next, followed by ROW restoration. One important aspect is Maintenance of Traffic or MOT. When installing in public ROW, it is common for lane closures to be a required element of construction.
This can occur during the day or night, and knowledge of both is needed to make sure construction is not shut down by violating regulations. Another consideration is sidewalks and foot traffic. Different rules apply here, but not adhering to these rules can cause construction shutdowns as well. Again with the volume of sites, it is imperative to stay on construction timelines and knowing the rules is vital to success.
The high number of small cell installations can be taxing on network engineers, especially considering the newness of this technology. That is why integration is so important. The close proximity to other sites also brings many challenges. One way to minimize issues is to have a thorough testing process. Sweep test, PIM test, and drive tests are all vital to ensure the site commissions correctly. But not all things can be perfect, and that is why on site integration is recommended. To have staff ready to react when a site goes live is important to the overall success of the project. That way, issues that arise can be addressed quickly at the field level. This little difference can turn a choking site look like a hiccup! Accurate closeouts are also a must, as the sheer number of sites can be cumbersome if not properly staffed.