Why Good Cellular Connectivity Matters in the Workplace | Neutral Path Networks
In the age of technology, good cellular connectivity is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. That’s why more and more businesses are turning to companies like NPN to help improve their cellular coverage. Cellular connectivity affects everything from employee productivity to tenant satisfaction. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the reasons why good cellular connectivity matters in the workplace.
Why cell coverage sucks in most offices
Have you ever noticed that cellular reception in most offices is anything but ideal? There are a few key reasons for this. One key reason is construction methods. In older buildings construccion techniques used concrete reinforced with steel which is great for structural rigidity, but blocks cellular signals from spreading throughout the building. In more modern buildings architects ans engineers uses high performance windows, known as Low-E glass. This specific type of glass is great for reducing energy usage but at the cost of blocking Radio Frequency (RF) signals altogether. As if that weren’t enough there is another factor that impacts cellular connectivity in buildings. The positioning of cell towers. Cell towers are designed for people on the street, which means that they are located on light poles and low rooftops with the antennas pointing down at the street. This leaves many buildings with ok cellular reception in the lobby but poor coverage everywhere else.
Why building owners and property managers are increasingly having to make the investment and what it means for their business.
Where have all the free cellular systems gone? Unlike the last decade or so the wireless carriers have largely stopped paying for in-building coverage solutions. This is because they are completely focused on building out their outdoor 5G coverage and upgrading their current network infrastructure to meet the ever growing demands for bandwidth. Like many business they have a finite amount of capital to spend on network improvements/expansion and covering office buildings doesnt give them the ROI they are looking for. This has left owners to invest. Is there a benefit? Absolutley! According to several studies mobile connectivity in the office is critical to almost every business. Building owners need to keep pace with the demands of an increasingly mobile workforce while showing/incrreasing the value of their buildings in an increasingly competitive leasing market.
Solving your coverage issues, while investing in future technologies.
Solving cellular coverage issues has traditionally been complicated and expensive. NPN aims to change that by providing simple cellular solutions that connect to a future ready infrastructure and can be easily deployed through a subscription (Coverage as a Service model); or CapEx with ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
Ultimately, cellular connectivity is becoming critical to attracting workers back to the office and tenants into new spaces. With the wireless carriers focus elsewhere it falls to building owners to make the investment. NPN has the experience to deliver state of the art solutions and the funding flexibility that enables everyone to improve their coverage.
- Published in Connectivity
The 4 Biggest Cost Drivers for Cellular Coverage as a Service | Neutral Path Networks
One question many people ask is, “how can I accurately predict how much a “coverage as a Service” cellular solution costs? Although there are a lot of variables, and we always like to discuss the specific needs of our customers before providing pricing, some general guidelines will help enterprises and building owners get a rough idea of the monthly service charge while in the information-gathering stage.
Through this blog, we will explore 4 of the most common factors that drive the costs in a “coverage as a service” solution. Each section will provide insight and real-life examples of typical situations and how they impact the bottom line.
Factors that always drive the total price:
- The size of the space
- Number of Cellular Carriers
- Maintenance and Monitoring
- Coverage or Capacity
Factor #1: The Size of the Project
Size of the project. This is a seemingly obvious point, but there are some nuances to deploying cellular coverage that can impact the overall value in terms of metrics that you might be measuring the project value. These metrics are usually defined as the cost per sq. ft. for building-wide deployments and cost per antenna for enterprise deployments. While it is always true that the large the project, the higher the total price, there are many times when larger projects end up having a lower cost per sq. ft. or cost per antenna. This may seem counter-intuitive, but several fixed costs are required for every project, regardless of size. These fixed costs mean that smaller projects can have a higher cost per unit vs. larger projects.
For Example: A large enterprise has two office locations where they would like to improve their cellular coverage. Office A is 25,000 sq. ft., and Office B is 100,000 sq. ft. When the management team is reviewing the cost proposals, they notice that Office A is going to cost $1,550 per month or $310/ Antenna, while Office B is going to cost $3,900 per month or $195/ Antenna. While the overall cost is greater because of the fixed costs, the smaller space has a higher per-antenna cost.
Factor #2: How Many Wireless Carriers are Needed
Simply put, the more wireless carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, DiSH) you have on the system, the more expensive the solution will be. Each wireless carrier has a specific requirement for coverage, equipment, and maintenance. All of this variation increases the complexity of the design, installation, and ongoing operation and increases the total cost of the project. The silver lining here is that the cost increase is incremental and not exponential. Some shared components and infrastructure allow for a multi-carrier solution to still be a reasonable prospect for most customers.
For Example: There is a large office tower in Dallas, Fort Worth, that has just “ok” cellular reception for AT&T and T-Mobile but poor reception for Verizon. The property manager and building owner want to compare the value of improving coverage for all carriers versus just improving coverage for Verizon. They notice that the cost of a single carrier solution is $3,875 per month ($0.01 /sq. ft.). For the same coverage area but improving all (3) wireless carriers’ signals, the cost goes up to $5,010 per month ($0.02). Although 1 cent per square foot may not seem like a lot, over the life of the agreement, this can add up to 10’s of thousands of dollars.
Factor #3: Maintenance and Monitoring Costs
Maintenance and monitoring for cellular coverage solutions is no trivial matter and makes up a large percentage of the monthly costs of coverage as a Service solution. The hardware and software that are needed are complex, require special training and certification to troubleshoot and repair, and normally have many network elements located all throughout the coverage area. The appeal of the coverage as a service model is that there is no need to worry about the how or who of maintenance and monitoring.
For Example: The IT Director for a large bank is evaluating options for improving the cellular coverage in their corporate office and is trying to understand the best options for maintenance and monitoring. The first option is to have one of the IT staff manage the system; however, no one on the current team has experience in this area, so they would need to hire someone or provide the needed training, tools, and test equipment. And this option would still require a third party to come and make repairs once the issue is found. Option The second option is to contract out for the ongoing maintenance and monitoring. While this can be easier and more cost-effective than handling the maintenance and monitoring internally, there are still some additional costs, like hardware replacement and onsite troubleshooting, that may need to be accounted for in the service agreement. Finally, the third option is to go with a coverage-as-a-service provider. In this model, maintenance, monitoring, hardware, and software support are covered. An additional benefit is that there are no markups on the maintenance and monitoring that you might otherwise see from a third-party management company.
Factor #4: Does the Project Need Coverage or Capacity
Similar to the need for multiple wireless carriers, there is a difference in the cost of a cellular solution needed for buildings that have coverage issues or capacity issues. Buildings that have “coverage” issues typically have a few users that are having problems making or receiving calls, no bars, and trouble streaming. Improving coverage requires antennas placed to cover the maximum amount of area with the fewest antennas. On the other hand, buildings that have “capacity” issues are buildings with a lot of users who might have full bars but still struggle to make and receive calls, texts, and access the internet. Capacity-focused solutions require more antennas and infrastructure in the same area to provide greater speeds and reliability.
For Example: A law firm has two offices; Office #1 is located in Midtown Manhattan, and Office #2 is located in downtown Kansas City. Office #2 is situated in an area where there is no nearby cell tower, and the Low-e glass blocks out almost all of the cellular signal from the outside. The four floors of office space only have around 120 people on any given day and never have more than 170 people there at any given time. In this situation, a coverage-focused coverage-as-a-service solution is the best, most cost-effective fit. Office #1 has over 300 attorneys and staff across four floors. Everyone in the office has almost full bars from the outside network, but employees still have trouble accessing the internet, missing calls, and sending texts. Deploying a capacity-focused coverage as a service solution will ensure employees have fast and reliable cellular coverage but will cost about 30% more.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that the costs of a “coverage as a service” solution will vary depending on each different building or need. With that being said, It can be extremely helpful for enterprises and building owners to understand the four biggest cost drivers for a coverage as a service solution as they begin their research on improving their cellular coverage.
- Published in Connectivity
Why Does Improving Cellular Coverage Cost so Much?
Many building owners, property managers, and enterprises have looked at ways to improve their in-building cellular coverage. Almost all have left that hunt with sticker shock and wondered how improving their cellular coverage could cost so much.
With 5G quickly picking up momentum and business moving towards a mobile workforce, cellular coverage is becoming invaluable; understanding the costs that make up this critical connectivity is key to understanding that value. To help shed some light on the costs of cellular enhancement, this article will break down what buyers are paying for, what role the Wireless Operators play, and the value of CapEx and OpEx pricing models.
“Good solutions aren’t cheap, but cheap solutions aren’t necessarily bad.”
What are you paying for?
Understanding all the costs of building a cellular coverage solution can be challenging. It is important to remember that the design and implementation of each solution is highly-customized to the individual building. In other words, solutions are generally more costly because they aren’t easy to replicate. For instance, commercial offices will have different layouts for different tenants, MDU’s and Hotels may be timber construction or poured concrete, and hospitals especially vary widely in their layouts and construction materials. This variability must be considered carefully and the coverage designed to meet each building’s specific need.
Equipment
Equipment costs comprise a high percentage of a project’s total cost, generally around 40%. This high cost is due to the hardware and structured cabling being specific to the mobile industry and manufactured to very high standards.
Engineering Services
Quite a bit of engineering goes into cellular solutions. First, the FCC regulates cellular signals (unlike Wi-Fi which is open for everyone’s use), so the design needs to comply with the FCC standards. Secondly, Wireless Operators have control over the spectrum used for mobile communications, which means that designs must be “approved” by their engineering teams before being built. Poor system design can lead to issues in coverage, low data speeds, or in the worst cases, make the in-building coverage worse.
Installation
Unlike Wi-Fi networks, which use category cable (ethernet), traditional cellular solutions use ½-inch coaxial cabling connecting each antenna. This coaxial cable is highly specialized, requiring certifications, special tools, and extensive testing to install correctly.
Maintenance and Monitoring
Maintenance and monitoring is one of the most overlooked and underestimated costs when budgeting for cellular enhancement. As with any building system, proper care is critical to getting the longest life and highest performance out of the solution. Depending on the type and size of the network, maintenance costs can range from several hundred dollars a month to several thousand dollars a month.
Hidden Costs
When considering deploying a cellular solution, some costs (outside of the hardware, design, and installation) may get overlooked. These can range from small costs like replacement ceiling tiles to higher costs like extending new power receptacles or additional security escorts for overnight work. And the time considerations of coordinating the installation process with different tenants or departments.
The Wireless Operators
Improving coverage means working with one or more of the Wireless Operators. In the past, it was likely the Operator (or Operators) would pay for the solution and in some cases, even agree to pay rent. Times have changed, however, and today the Operators’ budgets are refocused on 5G and improving their outdoor networks, leaving little funding for in-building projects.
Understanding Funding Models
As enterprise-focused products have evolved, so too have the methods to fund them. In the past, an enterprise would be responsible for the entire cost of the solution upfront. While large enterprises and some building owners could afford this, it left a large group underserved. Today those in need of cellular solutions have several options ranging from 100% CapEx to 100% OpEx and everything in-between.
Like deciding whether to purchase or lease a vehicle, choosing the best way to fund a cellular solution depends on several factors. Suppose the enterprise or building intends to occupy a space for a long period of time or has an internal IT group that can maintain the cellular solution. In that case, it may make the most sense to go with a CapEx funding method. On the other hand, if a solution is highly complex or a third-party maintenance agreement is needed, it may make the most sense to go with a more OpEx-focused funding method. Regardless of which approach an organization takes, it is essential to understand all costs and clearly identify needs and goals.
Understanding the costs of designing, building, and maintaining the cellular enhancement solutions, understanding the Wireless Operators’ role, and evaluating different funding methods; is crucial to identifying the value of the cellular solution to an organization.
NPN is here to help! Our team is well versed in the design, installation, and financancial models needed for best in class cellular solutions. Connect with us to talk through your cellular project.
NPN is here to help! Our team is well versed in the design, installation, and financancial models needed for best in class cellular solutions. Connect with us to talk through your cellular project.
- Published in Connectivity
A New Era in Indoor Cellular Coverage
For decades building owners and tenants have faced challenges improving in-building cellular coverage. The options they had to choose from were limited, and none were very appealing. One option was to partner with a Wireless Operator and have them foot the bill, but it often left building owners and tenants with only a single mobile provider. Another way was to sign up with one of the large neutral host providers who would agree to build out the cellular system for free as Wireless Operators agreed to join. This approach saw building owners stuck in multi-year contracts with no solution in sight and no recourse. Finally, building owners
and tenants could install a solution on their own. This option stuck owners and tenants with a high-cost, highly-complex solution that was hard to operate and upgrade.
The new age of in-building connectivity aims to solve the need for quality coverage without traditional solutions’ high cost, high complexity, and long wait times.
In-Building Solutions
The Traditional Solutions
Traditionally cellular coverage in-building has been achieved using a DAS (Distributed Antenna System). DAS relies on a passive network of antennas and cabling with a few active components which distribute the coverage. While this network design works well for large venues and very dense areas, it lacks the flexibility needed to meet the demands of the enterprise.
The NPN Approach
While there is still a place for DAS in large venues and projects requiring a lot of bandwidth, we focus on bringing a simple and scalable infrastructure to the enterprise. Our networks rely on a combination of fiber and CAT6e, which delivers LTE and 5G speeds while being capable of meeting the connectivity needs of the building for decades to come.
Coverage Where you Need it
The Traditional Solution
One significant drawback to the traditional DAS is that only covering a single tenant or a small portion of a building results in a significantly higher per square foot cost when compared to installing DAS across an entire building. This cost disparity means the most practical way of installing DAS is to cover the entire property even if it’s not needed.
The NPN Approach
NPN aims to drive the cost of cellular coverage down by focusing on only the areas where coverage is needed. Whether that’s amenities areas, parking garages, or individual tenants, NPN’s approach allows for a lower cost to the overall solution. It will enable the building and tenants to select only areas that matter.
The Problem with Renovations
The Traditional Solution
Most buildings don’t remain in the same configuration for long. Between tenants moving in and out and building initiatives, floor layouts and areas where coverage is critical can change frequently. Those familiar with DAS in their property know the cost of damaging a traditional DAS can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. And once the system is damaged, coverage can be affected across many floors.
The NPN Approach
The flexibility of NPN’s network has the added benefit of being extremely easy to move, extend, and reconfigure. This flexibility allows new tenants to customize service in their space quickly and easily. It enables building owners to scale coverage anywhere in their property at a moment’s notice. And last of all, no more worrying about the high cost of potential damage during renovations.
The Upgrade Path
Traditional Solutions
Traditional DAS solutions do a great job of providing a high-performance “carrier” neutral platform. This performance, however, comes with a tradeoff. The passive cabling and antenna infrastructure that makes up the DAS is not very upgradable. Meaning, adding new frequencies or technologies to the DAS often requires a rip and replace or the installation of parallel infrastructure.
The NPN Approach
NPN focuses on creating solutions that are ready for 5G and beyond. By using fiber end to end, our networks allow the easy expansion of coverage and upgrades to technology; whether that is 5G, 6G, or something yet to be invented.
What it Costs
Traditional Solutions
Because DAS is an all-or-nothing solution, the current financial models reflect this. The typical CapEx and OpEx models for DAS are structured to provide the best value when the entire DAS is installed on Day 1. Additionally, these models get considerably more expensive as time passes since the maintenance costs grow exponentially as the system ages.
The NPN Approach
NPN’s coverage solutions have a lower total cost to own, a longer lifespan, and a significantly smaller initial investment, opening the door for several new funding models. These models can range from; shared cost models, to opt-in models, to partnership models with wireless service providers and ISPs.
- Published in Connectivity
Redefining the Network as a Service for the Enterprise
In today’s landscape providing cellular connectivity within buildings and inside large venues continues to present challenges for building owners, property managers, and even the wireless operators. Two issues inevitably arise in every discussion; how to provide the best experience for the users (whether tenants, staff, guests, or fans) and who will pay for the services. With the wireless operators becoming more selective in the projects they are willing to fund, it has left many enterprises responsible for the total cost of deploying connectivity solutions.
- Published in Connectivity
