Cellular DAS vs. Managed Wi-Fi?   The Answer is Both

UNDERSTANDING THE CONNECTIVITY NEEDS OF TODAY’S MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES

As a multifamily building owner or manager, you already know that the future of multifamily living is heavily reliant on in-building connectivity:   data demands are surging, remote work is becoming the norm, and buildings thirst for unprecedented levels of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.   That means that multifamily properties, of all sizes and scopes, must offer a reliable, user-friendly option for connectivity across their entire property — from common areas to amenities, to each resident’s home and every step in between.

THE HIGH STAKES GAME OF CONNECTIVITY

The stakes of providing this connectivity have never been higher.  The National Multifamily Housing Council survey determined that the number one most requested amenity is cell signal, and 9 out of 10 residents claimed they wouldn’t rent their home without connectivity.   When the average American user has 13.4 connected devices, and an ever-growing need for uplink and downlink to sustain their work and personal lives, it’s not enough to let residents figure it out on their own.  Building owners are increasingly being asked to play an active part in facilitating proper connectivity at sites and the savviest owners are taking proactive steps to be prepared for the multi-faceted connectivity needs of tomorrow.

WHAT IS PARALLEL DEPLOYMENT?

So, what is the best way to provide that connectivity to your residents – cellular DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) or managed wi-fi?   Enter the era of parallel deployment—where managed Wi-Fi and cellular DAS work hand in hand.  Building owners are recognizing that the future demands a multifaceted approach to connectivity.  It’s not about choosing one over the other; it’s about creating a symphony of networks that work together to create a seamless wireless experience.

ADVANTAGES OF PARALLEL DEPLOYMENT OF CELLULAR DAS AND MANAGED WI-FI

Cellular DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and managed Wi-Fi both provide high-speed access to the internet, but Wi-Fi has certain performance gaps, such as lack of stability, slower speeds and security risks, that cellular DAS can easily fill.  Parallel deployment of Wi-Fi and cellular DAS delivers the best of both worlds, with no gaps.

FILLING IN YOUR WI-FI GAPS WITH CELLULAR DAS

1. Fill in Wi-Fi’s Reliability Gaps – In the past, property owners believed Wi-Fi to be a one size fits all solution to their internet connectivity issues:  just keep adding more Wi-Fi and if residents have issues with cellular service, they can jump onto Wi-Fi calling.  In reality, WiFi-based solutions reach their maximum potential in short order, quickly becoming overloaded.   That’s because even though each resident can establish their own dedicated WiFi network, every network in the building still shares a finite amount of shared unlicensed spectrum.  When that spectrum is overburdened, the result is slow data speeds, lower voice quality, and a higher number of dropped calls — especially with WiFi calling.   Cellular DAS networks offer a more reliable and stable connection because it doesn’t matter how many devices are connected to the network.
2. Fill in Wi-Fi’s Speed Gaps – Cellular network speeds have dramatically increased and can even be superior to WiFi speeds now because again, their speed doesn’t depend on the number of devices connected to the network.
3. Fill in Wi-Fi’s Security Gaps – WiFi is relatively easy to hack, leading to network interference and the building facing serious security concerns.  Cellular data is encrypted by default and therefore offers much safer connectivity.
4. Fill in Wi-Fi’s Future Scalability Gaps – Cellular DAS is designed to evolve like no other connectivity solution and is the ONLY platform that delivers scalable 4G and 5G reception as new technology rolls out across the globe.   Our comprehensive design approach allows us to create the most cost-effective and custom-tailored cellular DAS solution for your property today and in the future.

GET A SCALABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE PARALLEL DEPLOYMENT

So, while Wi-Fi has its relevant uses, it’s not a catch-all solution for online access, and it’s certainly not built to support multifamily connectivity at scale all on its own.  By adding an expertly installed cellular DAS system from Illuminati Labs alongside your current managed Wi-Fi, you can be assured all your critical connectivity bases are covered.