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Solid cellular coverage can be especially challenging in large commercial buildings like distribution centers. Those who own, operate, or work in these facilities often simply accept the fact that they’re going to have poor or no cellular coverage inside these buildings or warehouses.

Lack of coverage isn’t a necessary evil, thanks to available solutions designed to address the problem and improve cellular coverage. There are products that can address weak cellular signals, no matter how large the facility or how severe the dead zones inside of it. Here’s a look at the factors that work against strong cellular signals in large distribution centers and the solutions that can help.

Building Materials Impede Signal

Most often, weak signals are not due to a lack of cell coverage in the area but rather to building materials that block those signals from penetrating the building. This is particularly true of the warehouse-type spaces that distribution centers often occupy.

Building materials including brick, thick concrete, steel and metals, glass, radiant barrier, and other materials that conduct electric or magnetic energy, disrupt and weaken cell signals. That means that while there may be plenty of strong cellular coverage outside of your distribution center, that signal is weakened before it reaches the cell phones and other devices being used indoors.

What’s the Solution?

When looking for solutions to combat cellular signal problems within large warehouses and distribution centers, some effective options can be cost prohibitive. For example, active distributed antenna systems (DAS) such as those used at large sports stadiums and similar venues could do an excellent job creating strong signal inside any distribution center. However,  these systems cost between $2 and $4 per square foot and take considerable time to install, rendering them out of reach for most commercial buildings under 100,000 square feet. However, there are solutions available that are far more affordable and just as effective as active DAS.

In-building cellular signals can be improved through the use of cellular repeater systems or passive DAS. Unlike active DAS, which essentially serves as a carrier-specific cell tower inside the building, cellular repeater technology detects the available signal outside of the distribution center, brings it inside, enhances it, then distributes the amplified signal throughout the building. Compared to traditional DAS, cellular repeaters are much less expensive (a system can be installed for as little as 30 cents to 70 cents per square foot) and can be up and running in days.

Cellular repeater systems can cover multistory buildings of 100,000 square feet or larger. Multiple repeaters can provide an unlimited amount of coverage as long as a cellular signal is available outside, so WilsonPro systems are flexible enough to meet the needs of any facility.

Our 5G low-band signal repeaters are carrier-agnostic, meaning all cellular devices benefit from the enhanced in-building cellular signal, whether they’re connected to Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile.

If you’d like to learn more about how a cellular repeater system can improve the cell signal in your distribution warehouse, contact WilsonPro for more information.

Find out how IKEA used cellular repeaters to improve cellular connectivity inside of its 500,000-square-foot Texas distribution center.