Case Study:

Metropolitan Market Retail Space DAS Install

RSRF brought 4-5 bars of signal on all cell networks across 35,000 sq ft of retail space.

Building Size

35,000 sq. ft.

System Type

Cellular DAS

Carriers

AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile

Location

Sammamish, Washington

Building Type

Retail

Industry

Retail

DAS Vendor

Wilson Pro

Technology

Off-Air Passive DAS

1. The Problem

As construction on the 35,000 sq ft retail store progressed, it became clear that cell signal was an issue.

Metropolitan Market is an award-winning Washington grocery store chain known for offering the highest quality ingredients from local artisan growers and producers.

Connectivity is vital for all retail stores, and high quality supermarkets like Metropolitan Market are no different. Customers need signal to browse emails in the checkout line, to call home and check if they need milk, or to check recipes and ingredients online.

The store also needed reliable coverage in their office, and in the warehouse area. The total coverage area came to 35,000 sq ft. Since customers could be with any network, Metropolitan Market needed voice and data coverage for all major cell carriers.

With the grand opening just two months away, Metropolitan Market needed a solution implemented quickly.

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

A powerful passive DAS solution installed in six days.

RSRF arranged a site survey within a week. Our engineers visited the site in Sammamish, WA, and took detailed signal strength readings. We were able to determine the most cost-effective signal solution for the store and send a full quote to the customer as fast as they needed it.

Since the supermarket wanted 4G LTE coverage on all networks, an off-air passive DAS solution was clearly the most appropriate (and cost-effective) choice.

Once the customer approved the design, our professional installations team flew out to Washington. The installation was a six-day project for our experienced team. As the store neared completion, the RSRF team ran plenum cable and installed the donor antenna, 14 inside antennas, and the Wilson Pro amplifiers.

There were several challenges with the installation. The high supermarket ceiling required custom suspended antenna mounts, and the installation mostly took place after hours, working around several other construction teams finishing other projects in the store.

3. The Results

4-5 bars of LTE signal on every network

This project really brought home the importance of getting a comprehensive site survey during the design process. Prior to visiting, our RSRF engineers had expected to place the outside antenna on the roof. But the site survey showed that the signal quality on the roof was very low. We updated our design to move the donor antenna from the side of the building where signal quality was significantly higher.

One of Metropolitan Market’s chief concerns was outside antenna placement. Like many high-end retail stores, they wanted to avoid an unsightly roof or wall antenna. We were able to find an effective yet discreet wall location for a powerful Wilson yagi antenna, and paint the antenna to blend in with the building.

The result was fantastic. From virtually no indoor coverage on any network, the store could now offer customers 4-5 bars of LTE signal on every network. Employees in the store office and the receiving area no longer have to worry about connectivity. With two weeks to spare before the grand opening, this high quality retail store now had high quality cell coverage to match.

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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