Are you getting irritated with the weak signal in your office building?
You might want to fix that, not only for better connection to Facebook but to boost productivity. Yes, employees contribute 16% more in productivity when they’re connected to the internet. If your building is blocking out signals, it’s time to look for solutions.
The DAS wireless and cell phone boosters are your two solutions. Be careful because there are major differences between both of them. Because there’s almost a world of difference between them, there’s a 50-50 chance you make the wrong choice.
Are you unsure about which one to take?
Don’t worry because we’re here to explain which one would fit your business better. Read on below for our explanatory guide for the DAS wireless and cell phone boosters. We also included some pros and cons for each one.
Contents
1. DAS Wireless
When we say DAS, we’re not talking about the German article. The DAS or distributed antenna system is an extensive system of linked antennas in a large space. It boosts cellular connectivity in commercial settings.
It provides reception in full strength and often creates a single-carrier signal. It is a permanent installation to your workplace’s electronic setup. This antenna booster is often used for very large spaces like stadiums and airports.
Be careful about DAS installations because there are many more things to consider. You can learn more about them here. Installation time, cost, and carrier permission are a mere few of these things you have to take note of.
All in all, DAS is a demanding but powerful signal booster.
2. Cell Phone Booster
Cell phone booster systems do the same thing. They use antennas to capture cell signals from nearby cell towers. They then boost cell signals and then rebroadcast them.
Cell phone boosters work in reverse as well. That means the signal from your phone can become amplified and broadcasted back to the antenna outside the building. The outside antenna will then broadcast it back to the tower.
The cell signal boosted by a cell phone booster could be 32 times stronger. Cell phone boosters can increase signals from many carriers. Often, commercial buildings like offices and hospitals use cell phone boosters.
If you want better employee collaboration, consider getting a cell phone booster system. The improved signals will help them communicate better and be more productive. We won’t deny it, it’s faster to make a group chat rather than run up and down floors to talk to someone.
3. Comparisons
Before, we mentioned that there are big differences between the DAS and cell phone boosters. Here are our side-by-side comparisons between the two. We’ve taken into account cost, installation period, and upgrades.
Let’s begin with the cost. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you would opt for cell phone antenna booster. They cost much less for every square foot compared to the DAS.
DAS, in contrast, is more expensive. This is due to the retro-fitting for already established buildings and fiber-optic installation. The pro for DAS is that it’s already going to be a permanent fixture.
The installation period for a DAS needs at least 6 months and could take more than a year. This is because fiber-optic or cable lines need to get embedded into all the different areas for all the floors of a building. Included in the installation time is getting carrier permission, installing antennas, custom cabling, and connecting equipment to carrier core networks.
A cell booster system installation may cover 6 weeks on average. In essence, cell phone boosters are plug-and-play solutions, thus the speed of installation. Moreover, the installation for cell boosters is simple.
When it comes to upgrades, DAS needs more technical support and expert maintenance. Upgrades might prove more difficult compared to the cell phone boosters. The tricky part is if you plan to make any modifications to your workplace.
In comparison, cell boosters are easier to upgrade and maintain. There is easy access because you don’t have to integrate them within the structure of the building. In theory, cell boosters only need three basic components while DAS needs about six.
4. When to Use Which
There is no denying that a weak signal is not a good element in your business. This is true even if you already have a high-tech and professional look for your business. So below are a few things that will help you decide between a DAS or cell phone booster.
DAS Wireless is the ideal installation if your establishment is still under construction. It is still possible to integrate DAS into a fully-constructed building. If you do choose to integrate it later, you’re going to be spending more than you need.
A cell phone booster is powerful in its own way, but it has its limits. They will not work if there are no outside signals to catch. If you decide to install them, make sure there are cell towers in the vicinity.
Thus, always consider the local geography before you buy an antenna booster system. If you’re in an area near some hills, you might have trouble getting a signal in the first place. This is when you use the DAS instead of cell phone boosters.
In the same sense, the antenna you’ll get will depend on the construction of the building. If you want to boost the signal to one floor, get a dome antenna. If you want to distribute the signal over many floors, a panel antenna would be more useful to you.
Get Connected
That is our quick guide on DAS wireless systems and cell booster systems. We hope it helps you make the decision for your antenna booster.
If you have questions about signal strength, networks, and installation, the installing company should be able to help you. Every business is unique with its location, building construction, and office needs. With proper planning, your signal booster should be able to meet all that and more.
Are you happy with your internet connection? Are you planning on changing internet providers?
If you want answers, feel free to read our other blog posts. We’ve got some important questions to ask before you shift to another internet provider.
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