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Case Study:

Florida Power & Light: Multiple Off-Air Installations for a Power Utility Company

Reliable signal solutions for multiple near-identical sites.

Building Size
125,000 sq. ft.
System Type
Cellular DAS
Carriers
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
Location
Juno Beach, Florida
Building Type
Garage, Office, Utility
Industry
Energy
DAS Vendor
SureCall
Technology
Off-Air Passive DAS

1. The Problem

Multiple similar sites across Florida needed cell signal support.

Florida Power & Light is a power and electric company based in Florida. They had five similar office buildings that had poor cellular coverage, along with a few unique sites - including four garages and a bunker - that also needed reliable signal. 

That’s why they turned to RSRF. 

The five office buildings were virtually identical. They were all medium-sized - about 125,000 sq ft - office spaces and warehouses that needed cell signal for AT&T and Verizon. Florida Power & Light had only had complaints on one or two of these sites, but they were interested in preventing future problems at every location.

The company also had some more challenging buildings: parking garages and a weather bunker that needed coverage. The garages, in particular, had a very small office inside, and they consistently had employees doing maintenance on vehicles inside. They needed strong signal in case there was an emergency or if a superintendent was trying to contact them from another site. 

Connectivity was especially vital for the hurricane bunker, which had no signal underground, but would be a critical location for the utility company during storm damage.

Our Process

Simple, from start to finish

1. Initial Budgetary Estimate
< 1 week
2. Design & On-Site Visit
1 to 3 weeks
3. Final Proposal
1 week
4. DAS Deployment
4-12 weeks upon approval

2. The Solution

Off-air amplifiers to bring signal to each location statewide

RSRF began by consulting with Florida Power & Light's IT team and explaining how we could solve their coverage issues at each of the sites. After getting floor plans and discussing their priorities, budget, and goals, we were able to schedule initial site surveys and provide a preliminary pricing estimate for their approval. 

To make the streamline the process, we started by visiting one of these sites and providing a rough estimate for all five buildings based on this visit. This was possible only because the sites were all so similar. 

Overall, the company was looking specifically for improved service with AT&T and Verizon, and they needed solutions that were robust enough to provide 5-bar service at all of their sites at a reasonable price. 

In the five office buildings, we ultimately decided to install off-air amplifiers at all of the sites. In these buildings, the coverage area was relatively small, they had a small number of people, and the surrounding signal was good at all sites. These three factors made off-air DAS a viable solution. 

This is not always the case. There are a few reasons why an off-air solution isn’t a frequent choice. Most notably, outdoor signals can change and weaken as the surrounding environment shifts. Things like new buildings, changing outdoor signal, and updates with carriers (for example, if the carrier changes their network, augments their towers because of 5G, or adds small cells) can all affect the off-air signal, and this will happen over the years.

3. The Results

Strong signal tailored to each location

RSRF was able to provide unique, specific solutions based on each site’s budget, environment, and requirements. This flexibility ensured that they would have the most effective solution at each location and that Florida Power & Light avoided a “one-size-fits-all” DAS system that would ultimately prove ineffective. 

The off-air solution was cost-effective and very straightforward in terms of installation. The one potential drawback with off-air DAS is that it requires ongoing maintenance as the environment changes. Anything from a new building to a change in the cell towers could affect the signal, and this will require adjustments to the system. 

This happened in two out of six of the company’s office buildings because T-Mobile installed new cell towers close by. As Florida Power & Light had a maintenance contract with RSRF, there was no substantial cost for these changes, and the solution was ultimately still very cost-effective.

How we're different

A partner you can trust: from quote to close-out
1
1
Vendor and Technology Neutral

We believe that no one DAS technology is right for every application. There are no silver bullets.

Instead, we carefully select the right technology for the specific signal conditions and requirements of your building.

2
2
A Deep Expertise in DAS Technology

DAS is the only thing we do.

We act as your domain expert and advocates. We help you get your questions answered, and guide you to the best solution for your unique needs.

3
3
Careful Planning, Regular Communication

Projects succeed when they’re planned carefully. We take our client’s trust seriously, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and on budget.

At every stage, we’ll keep every stakeholder, including you, in the loop. You’ll never wonder what’s happening next.
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