Why Commercial Property Landlords Need to Focus on Improving Mobile Connectivity

Written by Khushboo Sagar, Sales Director – Private Sector, at connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider Freshwave.

As hybrid working has become the new norm, commercial landlords are playing a game of musical chairs. But instead of vying for a seat when the music stops, they’re scrambling to keep their tenants in their seats – and, more importantly, in their buildings.

Prioritising mobile connectivity is key for landlords who want to win the game. Gone are the days when a desk and a decent cup of coffee were all you needed to keep the office buzzing. The shift towards hybrid working means that offices are competing with the convenience of home working, where reliable connectivity is generally guaranteed.

The implications of poor mobile connectivity are significant. We all know how frustrating a patchy connection can be when out and about. In commercial properties, it can seriously hamstring a business’s operations. Companies whose employees are struggling with subpar connection are unlikely to renew leases. What’s more, providing basic Wi-Fi alone is not enough; every corner of the building needs strong mobile coverage across all mobile networks.

Connectivity isn’t just about providing tenants with secure online access. It’s also key to future-proofing your property. More and more properties are integrating smart technologies— from automated lighting systems to advanced security measures. These systems benefit from mobile networks for remote management and real-time data analysis. Without reliable connectivity, the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems can be severely compromised, making high-tech features more trouble than they’re worth and diminishing a building’s overall value.

As commercial properties strive to reduce their carbon footprints, a new challenge has emerged. Modern building materials, such as energy-efficient glass and thick walls, are excellent for insulation and energy efficiency, but often inhibit mobile signals. The ironic result is frustrating dead zones, within spaces consciously designed to be cutting-edge.

So, what can commercial property landlords do to improve connectivity in their buildings?

One effective solution is the deployment of indoor small cells. They bring assured mobile connectivity indoors and guarantee the quality of service. Small cells are low-power wireless access points and the latest innovation in this space, Omni Network, delivers all four UK mobile network operators combined in one box (Vodafone, EE, Three, Virgin Media O2). This simplifies installation, reducing the amount of equipment and cabling needed, making it an ideal choice for properties looking to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s suited for sites from 6,000 sq ft upwards and can scale to buildings of 350,000 sq ft or more, all while using much less space in the comms room than earlier technologies.

For even larger properties with high concentrations of people, a distributed antenna system (DAS) is another option. A DAS uses a network of discreet antenna nodes connected to a central source to distribute strong, uniform mobile coverage across wide areas. Like small cells, a DAS connects securely into the mobile network operators’ networks, guaranteeing seamless connectivity.

Landlords should be wary of technologies that merely amplify outdoor signals as a permanent solution for assured connectivity. These offer little control over signal quality and are vulnerable to changes in the outdoor environment. A binding contract with your provider which guarantees connectivity from the mobile operators the building needs, whether that’s one operator or all four, will give you peace of mind for the solution you’re buying.

By embracing technologies like indoor small cells and DAS, landlords can meet clients’ expectations and enhance their properties’ value. In today’s market, connectivity isn’t just a differentiator; it’s a prerequisite for success.