Case Study

Local College Solves Cell Reception Issues by Installing BDA

A Boston-area university was having difficulty with cell reception in their Facilities building. They contacted KTS to help them solve the problem.

The Work

The University’s Facilities Services Department is located in a building constructed of concrete block. Concrete block construction can interfere with cell signals and makes cell reception unreliable. The Facilities team was finding the situation untenable; they were unable to receive calls from vendors.

KTS recommended a Bi-directional amplifier (BDA) as the best solution to improve cellular reception in the building.

The building did not have a data room on the 2nd floor, so the wiring needed to be snaked through a chase in the wall from the 2nd floor down to the 1st floor data room where the BDA was installed. This included the installation of the cable for the donor antenna located on the roof.

Challenges

The building closely abuts an MBTA property at the back which prohibited KTS from working behind the building. The building also has an unusual rooftop set-up. The roof of the two-story building is flat, but has a structure on top. Nicknamed “the penthouse” this shed-like structure sits atop the building. KTS was able to access the penthouse, drill through the concrete wall and snake cabling down from the penthouse into the second floor offices.

Benefits/Impacts

The University’s Facilities building now has reliable cellular reception allowing this important department to make and receive calls, which enhances safety and productivity.