At Waveform and our team at RSRF, we’ve pioneered development of DaaS/CaaS models that bring a number of benefits to building owners and that are reshaping the in-building DAS market.

Understanding DAS as a Service (DaaS)

DAS as a Service represents a paradigm shift in how organizations acquire and manage their in-building wireless infrastructure. Instead of making substantial upfront investments in equipment and installation, businesses can access state-of-the-art wireless coverage solutions through a subscription-based model.

The core components of the DaaS model typically include:

1. Infrastructure Deployment: Installation of Distributed Antenna Systems (both indoor and outdoor), 4G/5G small cell integration, and private LTE/5G CBRS capabilities, all supported by fiber infrastructure.
2. Comprehensive Service Package: Professional system design and planning, complete installation and commissioning, 24/7 monitoring and maintenance, technical support and troubleshooting, regular system updates and optimization, and performance analysis and reporting.
3. Upgrade path/technology refresh: Depending on the length of the agreement, some DaaS offerings may include periodic technology refreshes and updates.

This holistic approach allows organizations to access state-of-the-art wireless coverage solutions without the burden of significant upfront costs or ongoing technical management responsibilities.

Benefits for Building Owners and Operators

The DaaS/CaaS model offers a range of benefits for building owners and operators:

Financial Advantages:

• No Upfront Capital Expenditure: With DAS as a Service, organizations can access advanced indoor wireless infrastructure without the need for large, upfront capital investments. The DaaS provider assumes the upfront costs, allowing businesses to preserve their capital for other core initiatives.
• Predictable Monthly Costs: DAS as a Service offers a subscription-based pricing model, providing organizations with predictable monthly operating expenses. This financial predictability helps with budgeting and streamlines the management of wireless infrastructure costs.
• Preserved Capital for Growth: By eliminating the need for substantial upfront investments in wireless infrastructure, DAS as a Service frees up capital that can be redirected towards other strategic business priorities and growth initiatives. This financial flexibility is a key advantage of the DaaS model.

Operational Benefits:

• Expert System Management: DAS as a Service providers employs the same team of wireless experts to design, deploy, and maintain the in-building wireless infrastructure. This allows organizations to benefit from cutting-edge expertise without needing to understand how the equipment works.
• Future-Proofed Technology: DAS as a Service solutions are designed to be scalable and adaptable, ensuring that the wireless infrastructure can keep pace with evolving technology and connectivity requirements. The DaaS provider is responsible for keeping the system up-to-date and performing.
• Guaranteed Performance Levels: DAS as a Service agreements typically include service-level guarantees, ensuring that organizations receive reliable, high-performing wireless coverage and connectivity. This provides peace of mind and reduces the risk of wireless-related disruptions.

Scalability:

• The DAS as a Service model allows organizations to easily scale their in-building wireless coverage as their facility and connectivity requirements evolve, without the need for substantial capital investments.
• DaaS providers can adjust the system design and capacity to meet changing needs, enabling businesses to stay ahead of their wireless demands, resulting in changes to the monthly fee paid by the building owner or operator.

Implementation Process

The DaaS implementation process follows a structured approach, similar to a traditional DAS deployment:

1. Planning Phase: The service provider begins with a comprehensive assessment of the facility's needs, including detailed site surveys, RF environment analysis, coverage requirement evaluation, system design and engineering, component and hardware planning, and implementation strategy development.
2. Deployment Phase: The provider handles the hardware installation and integration, system configuration and testing, coverage optimization, performance verification, and user acceptance testing.
3. Ongoing Management: The service provider takes full responsibility for 24/7 system monitoring, regular maintenance and updates, performance optimization, technical support, and technology refreshes as needed.

The biggest differences between DAS and DaaS are the legal agreements, payment structure, and ongoing management by the DaaS vendor.

Choosing a DaaS Vendor

When selecting a DaaS vendor, organizations should consider the provider's capabilities and the service level agreements (SLAs) offered.

• Provider Capabilities and Experience: A DaaS vendor should have a deep experience with installing and monitoring cellular DAS systems. Asking for references of existing customers is an excellent way of establishing trust in new vendors. Our team at Waveform/RSRF has dozens of customers across the country that we can provide as references.
• Service Level Agreements: Performance guarantees, response time commitments, upgrade provisions, and support availability are critical factors to consider when choosing a DaaS vendor.

Is DaaS Right for Every Building?

DAS as a Service provides a compelling solution for organizations that want to deliver reliable indoor wireless coverage without the burden of major upfront costs or ongoing technical management.

However, it's not the right choice for everyone. In many cases, a capital expenditure model may make more sense for a building owner or operator. For example, DaaS may not be the right choice if:

• The venue is likely the be resold to another owner.
• Occupancy is likely to meaningfully change over time.
• There aren't meaningful benefits to an operating expense model.
• The building owner or operator wants complete control or ownership over their DAS.
• You are limited in your ability to sign a long-term contract
  

With the increasing adoption of 5G technology and the growing importance of reliable indoor wireless coverage, DaaS is positioned to become a common approach for delivering in-building wireless solutions, but it's not the right solution for every single building.

Conclusion

If the up-front capital expenditures of a traditional DAS system are a barrier, reach out to our team for pricing on our DAS as a Service model.

DAS as a Service represents a compelling solution for organizations seeking to provide reliable indoor wireless coverage without the burden of significant upfront costs or ongoing technical management responsibilities. As businesses continue to prioritize digital transformation and connectivity, the DaaS model offers a future-proof approach to meeting these essential needs.