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The 4 Steps to Commercial Cell Signal Booster Design & Installation
Published February 22, 2024If you’ve experienced frequent dropped calls, poor cell signal quality, or low internet speeds within your commercial building, you can probably assume there’s a problem with your cell signal. It could be that the surrounding landscape or other buildings are blocking the signal from a nearby cell tower. It’s also possible that the signal from the closest cell tower is too faint for your phone to pick up. Even your building materials themselves might be the problem, blocking an otherwise strong signal from reaching your devices. Any of these factors could indicate the need for a commercial cell signal booster installation.
Once you’ve decided to explore a professional cell signal booster system as a solution, the next step is to educate yourself about the process so you know what to expect. A professional dealer or installation expert will be happy to meet with you, assess your building, and propose a system design that fits your particular space and signal amplification needs.
Here, we’ve outlined what to expect regarding commercial cell signal booster installation.
Conducting a site signal survey
The first step in the process of installing a cell signal booster system should always be a site signal survey. If possible, communicate with an experienced dealer beforehand and send along your building’s floor plan so the installer knows what to expect before visiting your property.
Learn more about a site survey and signal booster options.
The site survey is an opportunity for the installer to take signal strength readings from the rooftop and individual rooms of a building, usually with a signal meter. These professional readings indicate the strength of the outside signal, as well as the rooms with the strongest and weakest signals.
Positioning the components of a cell signal booster system
During the survey, the installer will note the type of equipment you need and where it should be installed. The three most important pieces of equipment in a booster system are:
- The donor antenna (outside antenna), which is placed on the roof of the building
- The signal booster (amplifier), which amplifies the signal
- The broadcast antenna (inside antenna), which transmits the boosted signal to your device
The installer will note the best positions for all these components, and also make an estimate for how much cable and which accessories are needed for the system to work as a whole.
Discussing options and agreeing on a quote
Based on the site signal survey, the installer will recommend a rough design based on the building’s floor plan and the existing signal strength outside the building. Since commercial buildings vary in size, it’s important for any cell signal booster design to be customized. For example, your building may require only one donor antenna but several broadcast antennas connected with cable splitters.
The installer will then recommend a customized solution, describing the types of equipment needed, locations for installation, a plan for running cable, and notes on the final appearance and function. If you’re satisfied with the plan, including the cost of materials and installation, the provider will work up a quote and begin to move forward with the installation.
Proceeding with a formal system design layout
Once a final plan is agreed upon, the installation moves forward. There may be lead time depending on any products that need to be ordered and shipped, but the installation is usually straightforward and efficient and can be done relatively quickly. The success of the solutions is about correctly positioning each component and connecting the outside antennas with the amplifiers and broadcast antennas. All equipment is FCC-approved, so commercial clients know the products are authorized for installation.
What to expect from a WilsonPro installation
WilsonPro cell signal boosters improve voice and data signals on all North American cell carrier networks and on all cellular-enabled devices, including phones, tablets and cell modems. WilsonPro installers help with your design needs to make sure the right products are installed in the right way for the best result. When you’re ready to implement commercial cell signal booster solutions, you can be assured that WilsonPro will deliver top-quality service, expert guidance, and reliable system design—the right signal booster solution for your requirements.
Contact WilsonPro to learn more about cell signal solutions for your commercial space.