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Choosing a DAS Installer: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing any technology provider is challenging, but selecting a DAS integrator presents unique challenges. Your chosen partner must navigate the complex interplay between RF engineering expertise, carrier relationships, and building infrastructure knowledge required for successful deployments.

Written and reviewed by:
Sina Khanifar

As CEO and cofounder of Waveform, Sina has been helping people boost their signal since 2006. He has personally tested and installed hundreds of signal boosters.

He welcomes feedback via Twitter, LinkedIn, or by email to [email protected].


Designing and installing a DAS demands technical proficiency in wireless technologies, facility network integration, and regulatory requirements that only a provider with extensive experience can deliver.

At Waveform, we have an enterprise-focused division called RSRF that deploys turn-key cellular DAS solutions nationwide, so we’re intimately familiar with the role of a DAS installer

Understanding the Role of a DAS Installer

A DAS installer is a specialized professional responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining a Distributed Antenna System. This involves first surveying the building, designing a solution, and then implementing equipment and antennas throughout a facility to ensure comprehensive wireless coverage. These components work together, providing a stronger and more consistent signal, reducing dead zones, and guaranteeing reliable connectivity.

Installing a DAS requires a deep understanding of wireless technology and networking. A professional DAS installer is not only able to model a building and plan signal propagation, but can also project manage a complex multi-stakeholder process involving building owners, occupants, and carriers. 

In this guide, we cover both how to test for coverage and how to fix coverage issues if you've identified a problem.

What Does a DAS Installer Do?

A DAS installer like RSRF plays a number of different roles across the lifecycle of a project.

1. Initial Evaluation and ROM Pricing

Before ever stepping on site, we are able to analyze floorplans and provide a Rough Order of Magnitude price to cover a building.

2. Site Survey and Assessment:

Next, we will typically conduct a thorough site survey to assess your building's layout and identify weak signal areas. This evaluation helps us understand the wireless signal conditions and exactly what kind of system is best suited to the building.

3. Custom DAS Design:

Based on the survey and initial assessment, we design a tailored DAS solution that meets your facility’s unique needs. Our team ensures that the design enhances connectivity while considering existing signal, outdoor signal levels, and any structural elements that may affect signal distribution.

4. Regulatory Compliance

DAS installations must comply with FCC regulations, carrier requirements, and building codes. As an experienced integrator, we understand the legal requirements and ensure that the system is implemented without risking compliance issues.

5. Installation of Equipment:

Construction managers, low-voltage technicians, and RF engineers handle the installation of active equipment like the signal sources, Point of Interface (POI) equipment, the DAS headend, remotes, cabling, antennas, and grounding, all while ensuring minimal disruption to your daily operations. If required, we can can seamlessly integrate the new system with existing telecommunications infrastructure.

6. Testing and Optimization:

After installation, we perform rigorous testing to validate the system’s performance and make necessary adjustments to optimize coverage and reliability.

7. Ongoing Maintenance and Support:

We provide ongoing maintenance and support thorough our Network Operations Center (NOC), ensuring your DAS system remains functional and efficient over time. Our priority is to keep your connectivity seamless.

If you are considering a DAS installation, partnering with a qualified DAS installer can make all the difference in achieving a reliable and effective solution for your organization’s connectivity needs. Don’t settle for subpar wireless service—invest in a professional DAS installation today and pave the way for a more connected future.

How to Choose a DAS Installer

Choosing the right DAS installer is essential for the success of your project. Here are key factors to consider when selecting a partner:

  1. Experience and Expertise:
    Look for a DAS installer with a proven track record and experience in your specific type of facility as well as your geography. Our team at RSRF boasts extensive experience across various industries.
  2. Comprehensive Solutions:
    Choose a provider that offers end-to-end services, from initial design and installation to ongoing support and maintenance. 
  3. Customer References:
    Ask your DAS integrator for customer references that you can speak to. Really go into detail with those references and find out what their experience was like.
  4. Technical Knowledge:
    Ensure the installer has in-depth knowledge of DAS technology. And watch out: many low-voltage or electrical contractors will claim to do DAS work but often have very limited experience.
  5. Regulatory Compliance: Your DAS installer should be knowledgeable about both FCC and local regulations as well as carrier compliance requirements.

RSRF - Our Enterprise DAS Installation Division

RSRF is a division of Waveform, and your premier choice for Distributed Antenna System (DAS) installation. We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions to enhance cellular coverage and connectivity within buildings. If you’re a building manager, IT manager, or responsible for ensuring seamless communication in your facility, you’ve come to the right place!

Our team at RSRF deployed it’s first DAS over a decade ago, and since then they have deployed hundreds of systems across the country. We focus on a few things:

  • Tailored Solutions: We understand that every building is different. Our custom solutions ensure we meet your specific requirements.
  • Expert Team: Our experienced professionals bring technical expertise and a commitment to excellence, ensuring your project’s success.
  • Customer Satisfaction: We prioritize client satisfaction and work closely with you throughout the process to exceed your expectations.

If you're ready to enhance your facility's connectivity or have further questions about our DAS installation services, don’t hesitate to Contact Us today! Let RSRF help you pave the way to a connected future.

Questions to ask your DAS Installer

These questions can help you decide if a DAS integrator is the right fit for your project:

If your DAS integrator only works with one or two vendors, walk away. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in DAS, and the best vendors are proficient with at least 4 to 5 DAS platforms.

A DAS distributes signal inside a building, but signal sources are required for each carrier to distribute signal indoors. Without signal sources, a DAS won’t work. Some integrators rely only on “off-air” signal from the roof of a building, which can be very limiting when outdoor signal is not excellent.

Experienced DAS integrators have established relationships with carriers that can help ensure that deployments go smoothly.

Different building types have very different requirements, and familiarity with your specific type of environment can be a big plus.

Ideally your DAS integrator will have references in your industry and in your local geography that you can talk to.

You should expect to see a full EHS manual as well as an OSHA policy.

In some cases, it’s possible to guarantee a certain data rate or at lest signal strength level throughout the intended coverage area, but this can depend on the type of system installed and in particular on the signal sources used. It’s harder to provide data rates guarantees for off-air systems.

The best integrators will have a network operations center (NOC) that monitors your system and actively creates trouble tickets when issues are identified. The integrator should also offer an easy way for you to create trouble tickets in case users experience issues.

The industry standard is iBWave, and most integrators will have certifications to show that they are qualified to use the software correctly.

This is a must for maintenance down the line. You should request PDF as-builts from your vendor.

Why Choose Waveform for Your DAS Signal Solution
We're the preferred vendor for multiple DAS manufacturers and have helped improve signal for hundreds of deployments. Our team is ready and able to walk you through the process of finding and deploying the right solution.
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Proven Experience
We've Helped Over 5,000 SMBs and Enterprises Improve Their Cell Signal
At Waveform, cell signal enhancement is all we do. Since our start over 15 years ago we've helped thousands of clients across the country fix their signal problems.
  • 150,000 sq ft residential building
  • Multi-Carrier Off-Air Distributed Antenna System deployment.
  • 150,000 sq ft residential building
  • Multi-Carrier QUATRA Distributed Antenna System deployment.
  • 25,000+ sq ft office and laboratory
  • Dual-Carrier Hybrid Distributed Antenna System

The Waveform team is clearly passionate about the work they do, and they're incredibly knowledgeable about cellular connectivity for the IoT devices in our EV chargers. It's always easy working with them because they go the extra mile to make it easy for us. Their solutions work as expected, and we've yet to experience any downtime.

Jeffery Moore
Infrastructure Solutions Engineer, Shell Recharge Solutions

Working with Waveform on cell coverage solutions for Rancho Mirage's City Hall was a refreshingly positive experience! Waveform's team worked closely with us to understand our needs. They went above and beyond by designing an excellent system, communicating well, and supplying all the materials promptly. If only more of my projects went as well as this!

Jason Jaurigue
Director Of Information Services, State of California

SemaConnect has partnered with Waveform to provide customers with world class support and expertise to deliver reliable cellular signal solutions for SemaConnect Charging Stations. Over the last year they have been faultlessly reliable and always professional. They know this stuff better than anyone we've worked with, and their solutions show it!

Peter Fisher
Senior Project Manager, SemaConnect/Blink Charging
Our Process
Boosting Cell Signal With Waveform
After deploying hundreds of booster and DAS systems for customers around the country, we’ve developed two deployment methodologies that we think best serve our customers.
For smaller deployments
Guided Self-Install
We'll walk you through installs in smaller buildings under 100,000 sq ft in size.

  • Remote Signal Survey
    We'll walk you through taking basic signal measurements.
  • Full System Design Including RF Propagation Analysis
    We'll analyze your building, design a full booster system, perform RF propagation analysis, and generate predicted coverage maps.
  • Guided System Install & Commissioning
    We'll ship you equipment and walk you through getting all the equipment installed and deployed.
  • Ongoing Support
    We'll provide ongoing technical support in case you any experience any issues down the line.
We'll handle everything
Turnkey Install
For buildings between 100,000 and 1M+ square feet

  • Fast Initial Quote
    We'll quickly give you an idea of typical costs for your building based on size & building materials.
  • On-Site Pre-Install Site Survey
    Our technicians will visit your site to take signal readings and make detailed deployment notes.
  • Complete Turnkey Install & Post-Install Testing
    Our deployment team will visit the site to complete all installation, commissioning, testing, and cleanup.
  • Maintenance and NOC Monitoring Plans
    We'll monitor and maintain your booster system to ensure uptime and performance.
Meet Our Team
Delivering Connectivity
Our team of 50+ signal experts is distributed across the country and ready and eager to help you achieve full bars, say goodbye to frustrating dropped calls, and say hello to blazing fast data rates. Here's a few of the faces you might encounter on your journey to better signal.
Jonathan Boucher
Commercial Solutions Lead
Jose Martinez
Commercial Solutions
John Farag
Commercial Solutions
Austen Hoover
Senior Account Executive
Tom Hernandez
VP, Enterprise
Andy Roberts
Director, Engineering
Josh Segelson
Director, Project Management
Sam Westwood
COO
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