Multi-carrier Connectivity Solution: Highrise in Fortitude Valley gets Connected!

Background

Positioned on the top floor of this eight-floor tower, this office has suffered from poor cellular coverage for both Optus and Telstra. Despite the nearest cellular tower being only 200 meters from the building, staff were becoming frustrated increasingly with the lack of mobile signal.

Multi-Carrier Connectivity Challenge

Powertec installer, Protecc, needed approval from building management when executing this solution. In order to connect the two external antennas from the roof of the building to the eighth floor, several holes would need to be drilled.

Products Used

• 2x CEL-FI GO for Telstra and Optus
• 1x CEL-FI GO2 for Optus
• 2x Mars 5dBi Panel Antennas
• 3x Blackhawk Ceiling Dome Antennas

Multi-carrier Connectivity Solution

Multiple site visits and scrupulous planning were required to have minimal disruption to the original construction. Two Mars 5dBi Panel Antennas were used as external antennas on the roof of the building to each capture the Optus and Telstra signal. These antennas were used because of the proximity of the local cellular tower.

These external antennas fed the signal to two CEL-FI GO units and one CEL-FI GO2 unit.

To cover the office, three internal antennas were connected to the CEL-FI GO “hub” in order to saturate the entire floor with Optus and Telstra 3G/4G signal.

Business Benefits

Management in this office identified that a 3G/4G signal would be required for their technical room to function. The modems are running smart meters. Staff in this office building have also benefitted from the increased cellular signal.

The poor coverage in this building had a negative impact, affecting productivity as well as health and safety.

The average Telstra 3G coverage on the seventh floor went from zero signal to -51dMb (band 5) and Telstra 4G -75dBm (band 28). The average Optus 3G coverage went from -63dBm (band 8) and Optus 4G -87dBm (band 3).

Installation Diagram and Images