FEATURE THE COST OF WEAK SIGNAL
Don’t let mobile signal become a safety issue in your buildings, says Brendan Hourihane, Senior Director at Freshwave.
As workplaces become increasingly reliant on digital technology, multi-operator indoor mobile connectivity is now central to building performance.
Reliable mobile signal underpins everything from everyday communication to operational coordination across large buildings. Yet in many workspaces, particularly modern, high-spec developments, mobile coverage inside the building can be inconsistent or unreliable. When this happens, the consequences are felt not only by tenants, but also by the facilities teams responsible for maintaining smooth day-to-day operations.
Health and safety is one of the clearest areas where reliable mobile connectivity matters. In many workplaces, mobile devices now support incident reporting, lone- worker monitoring, contractor coordination and emergency communication. When staff or contractors are moving through basements, plant rooms or large areas the ability to call for assistance or relay information quickly can be critical.
Poor indoor signal introduces unnecessary risk into these situations. If an engineer working alone in a restricted area cannot easily contact colleagues, or if staff struggle to communicate during an incident, response times may be delayed at precisely the moment when clear communication matters most. Reliable indoor connectivity also supports coordination between building teams and emergency responders, helping ensure incidents can be managed quickly and safely.
For facilities managers responsible for the safety of both tenants and building staff, dependable mobile coverage is therefore increasingly part of the wider safety infrastructure of a building alongside fire systems, access control and CCTV.
Beyond safety, connectivity is also fundamental to the productivity of many service-sector tenants. Industries such as financial and professional services depend on constant access to digital tools, data platforms and analytics systems that enable their teams to analyse information and respond quickly to client needs. Research suggests poor indoor mobile coverage could be costing the UK economy up to £100bn annually, with around £24bn of that impact borne by financial and professional services alone.
When signal drops during time-sensitive activities, the consequences extend far beyond momentary frustration. Missed calls, interrupted communications or delays in accessing systems can disrupt workflows and create operational friction for businesses that rely on speed and reliability.
Facilities teams increasingly feel the pressure of these issues because connectivity problems are often perceived
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by tenants as a building issue rather than a telecoms one. Even in otherwise high-quality offices, weak indoor signal undermines the overall workplace experience.
Part of the challenge lies in the way buildings are constructed. Materials commonly used in contemporary developments including reinforced concrete, steel structures and energy-efficient glass, are highly effective at improving sustainability and structural performance. However, they also block mobile signals from entering buildings from outside.
Large floorplates, underground areas and complex layouts further weaken signal strength, creating ‘not- spots’ where mobile connectivity is unreliable or absent. The result is that many premium offices unintentionally act as connectivity barriers.
“Research suggests poor indoor mobile coverage could be costing the UK economy up to £100bn annually, with around £24bn of that impact borne by financial and professional services alone.”
For facilities managers tasked with maintaining tenant satisfaction and building performance, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Occupiers increasingly expect reliable connectivity throughout their workspace, and buildings that can provide it gain a clear advantage in an increasingly competitive commercial property market.
Fortunately, there are practical ways to address indoor coverage problems. In-building mobile infrastructure such as small cells extend public mobile networks throughout a property and eliminate signal not-spots. These systems effectively bring mobile coverage and capacity into the building, ensuring consistent signal across multiple network operators unlike other solutions that rely on the outdoor networks.
Small cell deployments can be integrated discreetly into existing building infrastructure, allowing facilities managers to improve connectivity without disrupting tenants or altering the appearance of the space.
As workplaces continue to evolve, reliable mobile connectivity is becoming as essential as any other building service. By ensuring strong multi-operator indoor coverage, facilities managers support safer operations, improve tenant satisfaction and help ensure that the buildings they manage remain fit for the increasingly connected workplaces of the future.
https://freshwavegroup.com
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