Case Study:

1 Journal Square, Jersey City

RSRF delivered a JMA Active DAS that provided full-building multi-carrier coverage for a 2.3M sq ft Jersey City development.

Building Size

2,300,000 sq. ft.

System Type

Cellular DAS

Carriers

AT&T

Location

Jersey City, New Jersey

Building Type

Multi-Unit Residential, Retail

Industry

Retail, Corporate Space

DAS Vendor

RSRF

Technology

Off-Air Fiber DAS

“For a development as significant as The Journal, choosing the right technology partner was absolutely critical. RSRF’s deep expertise in designing and deploying a large-scale DAS for our 2.3-million-square-foot property has been exceptional. Their team navigated the project’s complexities with precision and professionalism, delivering a seamless, reliable connectivity solution across our entire campus. They also coordinated effectively with the cellular carriers, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish.”

John Ruglio

CTO

1. The Problem

A 2.3M sq ft Jersey City development needed a cost-efficient DAS to guarantee reliable multi-carrier coverage for its 3,000 units and retail spaces during construction.

1 Journal Square is a 2.3 million square foot residential mixed-use development in Jersey City with two towers, 3,000 rental units, and 40,000 square feet of retail. As one of the most technologically advanced buildings the developer had ever constructed, this project required reliable cellular service, which was considered essential for both residents and retail tenants.

The developer had the foresight to plan for a DAS before construction began. As construction progressed, the developer wanted to ensure that the building’s investment in high-tech features would be fully supported by strong cellular coverage from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Without it, residents would face connectivity issues and retail tenants would not have the coverage needed for operations, payments, and day to day customer needs.

The client reached out to RSRF after receiving an initial system design and quote. RSRF was asked to validate the design and propose a more efficient solution. After reviewing the plans, RSRF was able to optimize the design and reduce unnecessary expensive components while - maintaining high performance and staying within budget.

Our Process

Simple, from start to finish

Initial Budgetary Estimate

< 1 week

Price estimate based on floorplans and building materials
Typically accurate to within 10% of final pricing.

System Design and On-Site Visit

1 to 3 weeks

Full iBwave Design and propagation modeling.
On-Site visit to take signal readings and verify design.
Site visit report.

Final Proposal

1 week

Final iBwave design.
Final proposal utilizing recommended DAS technology.
Statement of work.
Final turnkey pricing.

DAS Deployment

4-12 weeks upon approval

Cabling & RF Engineering teams on-site to install system.
Remote monitoring setup and configuration
System provisioning testing, and closeout

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

RSRF designed and installed a future-proof JMA Active DAS, coordinating with 60+ trades and all carriers to secure signal sources and validate system performance before occupancy.

RSRF selected a JMA Wireless Active DAS - based on the reliability of the platform and the long-term support of its components. JMA systems are known for longevity and do not cycle hardware out of service, which aligned with the client’s desire for a stable and future-proof solution.

As a new construction project, all equipment was installed from the ground up. The installation took place while more than sixty other trades were active throughout the building. RSRF carefully coordinated cable routes, antenna placement, and infrastructure installation to avoid conflicts. In several instances, cables and antennas had to be rerun or remounted after being damaged by other trades during construction.

One major challenge involved securing carrier signal sources- before building occupancy. RSRF coordinated directly with all three carriers on behalf of the owner to ensure timely procurement, compliance, and integration.- Timely coordination was critical for obtaining the certificate of occupancy and ensuring ROI for the building.

Before closing ceilings, all infrastructure was verified. RSRF performed PIM testing on cables and completed multiple rounds of signal measurements. The final benchmarking results were shared with both the carriers and the client to confirm performance and coverage expectations.

3. The Results

The building opened on time with strong, consistent multi-carrier coverage throughout, delivered on budget and with zero change orders.

The Active DAS delivered strong and reliable cellular coverage from the lowest levels of the building to the top floors. With direct integration to carrier signal sources, all three networks showed significant improvement and consistent performance.

The client was able to open the building on time with full cellular coverage available throughout the residential units, amenities, and retail spaces, ensuring a positive experience for both residents and incoming tenants.

RSRF outperformed competitors by delivering the system without a single change order and staying on budget. The installation remained on schedule despite the complexity of working alongside many active trades. Throughout the project, RSRF held weekly coordination meetings with the director of construction and other key stakeholders, providing continuous updates and ensuring transparent communication.

How we're different

A partner you can trust: from quote to close-out

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.

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.

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.

Get Started:

Get a fast, no-obligation DAS quote today.

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