Summary
Building type: Residential building
Locations: London, UK
Challenge: Enable mobile signal from all operators in the elevator shafts for Auto Dialler for emergency phone calls
Product installed: The SOHO iR5 repeater
The Background
Located in the heart of Newham, London, the Plaistow Hub is a modern 23-storey residential building designed for contemporary urban living. The building provides 100 stylish apartments, offering residents a comfortable home with excellent access to the amenities and vibrant lifestyle of East London.
The Challenge
Residents of this 23-storey building rely heavily on the elevators for daily access to their homes. With hundreds of journeys made every day, the elevators are an essential part of the building’s operation.
However, building management noticed that mobile signal within the elevator shafts was very poor, making it difficult to make calls in the event of an emergency. Reliable mobile connectivity is critical in emergency situations and plays an important role in ensuring the safety of residents.
The objective
To address the connectivity issue in the elevator shafts, building management took prompt action. SDS TV, a trusted partner of Stella Doradus, was contacted for a professional mobile signal solution.
The management requested:
- Robust mobile coverage in elevator shafts
- Strong signal from all mobile network operators
- Clear and reliable phone calls, particularly for contacting emergency services
The Solution
As a first step, the Stella Doradus team conducted a detailed site survey using the TestTool signal analyser to analyse the RF environment and evaluate signal strength from each mobile network operator.
The site survey conducted via the TestTool indicated that prior to the installation there was only signal from the operator Three UK inside the elevator shafts.
An external Yagi donor antenna was initially positioned on the rooftop. However, measurements taken with the TestTool showed that the signal levels were not optimal at that location. The signal from the operators was aimed at the <5 storey buildings in the area, and the signal at the top of this 23 storey building was very poor. The installation team therefore carried out additional signal tests at different levels throughout the building to identify the strongest available signal.
The TestTool survey results indicated that the 6th floor provided the most suitable signal levels across all operators. The external Yagi antenna was therefore installed at the 6th-floor level to capture the strongest available outdoor signal.
The SOHO iR5 repeater was strategically installed on the 12th floor, where it amplifies the captured signal and distributes it throughout the elevator shafts.
Internal antennas were installed at levels 2, 6, 12, and 18, ensuring consistent mobile coverage throughout the elevator shafts.
The following equipment was installed during this installation:
SOHO iR5 repeater
Indoor Omni antennas
External Yagi antenna
Cable
The Result
The measurements showed a great improvement with high quality signal for all operators.
Management was highly satisfied with both the installation process and the results delivered. Once the SOHO iR5 system was installed within the elevator shafts, residents were able to enjoy strong and reliable mobile signal while inside the elevators. The robust mobile coverage ensures that residents can make phone calls even while travelling between floors. Reliable signal within elevator shafts ensures that emergency services can be contacted quickly if required.