Distributed Antenna Systems — Cellular Coverage Where Buildings Block the Signal
Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) extend cellular coverage inside buildings, campuses, and venues where structural materials attenuate outdoor signals — providing reliable voice and data connectivity for employees, visitors, and IoT devices in locations where cellular coverage is otherwise inadequate.
What RLM Delivers on Distributed Antenna System
Modern buildings with dense concrete, steel framing, and low-emissivity glass windows are cellular signal barriers. Hospitals, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, parking structures, and high-rise offices all experience coverage dead zones that impair employee productivity and critical communications. DAS solves this by distributing cellular signal from indoor antenna arrays connected to carrier equipment or signal amplifiers. RLM advises on DAS design, carrier coordination, and neutral-host architectures.
How We Approach Distributed Antenna System
Our Distributed Antenna System process, end to end: current state, market evaluation, commercial terms, and implementation support.
RF Coverage Assessment
We conduct an RF site survey — measuring signal strength throughout your facility, identifying dead zones, and determining whether passive DAS, active DAS, or small cell deployments best address your coverage gaps.
DAS Architecture Design
We design the DAS architecture — passive vs. active DAS, neutral-host vs. carrier-dedicated design, antenna placement, head-end equipment, and the carrier interface that connects the system to licensed spectrum.
Carrier Coordination
We manage carrier coordination — submitting DAS integration requests, obtaining carrier approval for equipment connection, and managing the testing and acceptance process that authorizes the system for commercial use.
FirstNet & Public Safety
For facilities requiring reliable public safety communications — hospitals, government buildings, high-rise offices — we advise on FirstNet DAS requirements, ERRCS (Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems) compliance, and the fire code implications of indoor cellular coverage systems.
Distributed Antenna System Evaluation Criteria
Our Distributed Antenna System process, end to end: current state, market evaluation, commercial terms, and implementation support.
Passive vs. Active DAS
Passive DAS uses coaxial cable to distribute signal and works well for single-carrier, smaller deployments. Active DAS uses fiber and remote antenna units, supporting multiple carriers with better signal quality for larger facilities. Evaluate the trade-offs for your building size and carrier requirements.
Neutral-Host Economics
Neutral-host DAS serves multiple carriers from a single infrastructure investment. Evaluate whether carriers will connect to a neutral-host system in your facility and the revenue-sharing or cost-sharing model available.
5G Compatibility
Legacy DAS infrastructure may not support 5G frequencies (mid-band 3.5 GHz, mmWave). Evaluate the 5G compatibility of DAS designs for new deployments and the upgrade path for existing systems.
Building Code & ERRCS Requirements
Many jurisdictions require Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems in new construction and major renovations. Evaluate ERRCS requirements early — the design and inspection process adds timeline and cost.
Ongoing Maintenance
DAS systems require periodic maintenance and carrier software updates. Evaluate maintenance contracts, carrier update procedures, and the monitoring approach that detects coverage degradation before complaints escalate.
"RLM helped us rationalize our mobile fleet across four carriers and cut our monthly spend by 31%. They handled the whole transition — we didn't lose a single device."
Every engagement is measured against the baseline we establish at the start — not against a vendor’s projection.
Where This Matters Most
Sector-specific considerations we see repeatedly in mobility engagements.
A Sample of the Mobility Providers We Evaluate
RLM is vendor neutral. These are among 600+ providers in our evaluation set — inclusion here is not an endorsement, and we are paid by the provider you choose, not by any provider in particular. How that works →
Thinking About Distributed Antenna System?
Talk to an RLM advisor who specializes in enterprise mobility. Vendor-neutral guidance from assessment through deployment.