CASE STUDY | 5G IN-BUILDING CONNECTIVITY
The right signal survey tools helped a national 5G provider deliver reliable in-building coverage while cutting labor time.
QUICK GLANCE
Client: National 5G internet provider
Challenge: Deliver reliable 5G signal inside large, complex buildings
Solution: Exterior antennas, base stations, and upgraded signal scanners for technicians
Results: 30–40% less survey labor and more accurate signal data
TechLink helped a national 5G internet provider deliver reliable in-building coverage in malls, office buildings, and airports. By equipping technicians with Cellular Network Scanners that capture every carrier, band, and frequency, our teams reduced survey labor on large sites by 30 to 40% and improved network installation accuracy.
What TechLink Delivered
The Client
A national 5G internet provider bringing fast, reliable connectivity to shopping malls, office buildings, airports, and other large commercial structures.
The Challenge
5G signals transmit at higher frequencies than 3G and 4G, so they have a harder time penetrating brick, metal, and concrete. Inside complex structures, routers often could not connect reliably to nearby towers, and signals could weaken or drop.
The TechLink Solution
The Results
Inside the Project
The Problem
Our client, a national 5G internet provider, faced a novel problem: how to provide a strong, reliable 5G signal inside structures such as shopping malls, office buildings, airports, and other complex structures.
The problem stemmed from the frequency of 5G signal waves. 5G signals transmit at much higher frequencies than 3G and 4G signals. Because 3G and 4G signals are lower frequency, they can transmit farther and penetrate brick, metal, and concrete better than 5G signals.
With 3G and 4G, the client could simply set up wireless routers to connect to nearby cellular signal towers, and people inside could expect a consistent signal throughout the structure.
With 5G, connecting a router inside a complex structure to a nearby cell tower can be challenging, and sometimes impossible. Even if a signal is available inside the building, it can weaken or drop, leaving users frustrated.
The Solution
An antenna placed outside the structure, connected to a base station inside the building, solves the problem of 5G signal penetration. The antenna receives the signal from a nearby tower, then transmits it to the base station for amplification and distribution throughout the building.
Providing reliable signal access throughout the interior isn’t quite so simple. It requires accurately measuring every cellular carrier, band, and frequency throughout the building, then optimizing the signal based on the data collected. In a large commercial building, signals must be measured for loss at multiple collection points to identify weak or dead spots.
To minimize time and resources spent on signal measuring, mapping, and optimization, we purchased Wilson Electronics’ Cellular Network Scanners.
The Results
After the install and post-site visit engineering were complete, we evaluated the new signal meters and found three clear benefits.
1. Compounding savings on time and labor
With previous-generation signal meters, our teams spent considerable time collecting, measuring, and analyzing data. With the new scanners, we completed these tasks in significantly less time. The savings grow with the size of the project: in a large shopping mall or office complex, teams can reduce the labor needed for these tasks by 30 to 40%. The added accuracy and quality of the data also eliminates significant post-site engineering hours.
2. Less engineering labor and overhead
In the past, teams examined hundreds of photos and transcribed the information into a data sheet, a process that could take days or weeks. The scanners provide accurate, detailed reports that export as .csv files for solution engineering.
3. No more best signal guesswork
With older tools, even highly trained technicians had to guess which signal or carrier was best in a given area, which meant more time optimizing the network after the install. The scanners evaluate every available option and display only adequate carriers.
The scanners also let our technicians test individual cables for signal loss and identify the best cell tower in the area so the antenna could be aimed correctly. Most importantly, they helped our client create a flawless data experience throughout the property, which translated to higher customer satisfaction.
How We Delivered
“With the Cellular Network Scanner we have seen virtually no human error when surveying for cellular service and that has translated to the right product design decisions to be made and implemented on-site with minimal on-site labor.”
Harrison Stone | VP of Implementation & Logistics, TechLink Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 5G hard to deliver inside buildings?
5G transmits at higher frequencies than 3G and 4G, so the signal has a harder time passing through brick, metal, and concrete in malls, office buildings, and airports.
How does TechLink bring 5G signal indoors?
An antenna outside the structure receives the signal from a nearby tower and sends it to a base station inside, which amplifies and distributes it throughout the building.
How do signal scanners reduce labor on 5G installs?
The scanners capture all carriers, bands, and frequencies in one survey and export reports as .csv files, cutting survey labor on large sites by 30 to 40% and reducing post-site engineering.
Can TechLink support 5G installs across many commercial properties?
Yes. TechLink technicians handle signal surveys, installation, and optimization for in-building wireless projects at commercial properties nationwide.