WAVETHRU Archives - Page 3 of 3

Introduction to Silversquare Antwerp

In the heart of Antwerp, Belgium, Silversquare Antwerp was undergoing its final construction phases, focusing on the installation of windows and interior design. Little did they know, a connectivity challenge awaited them. This is the transformative story of how WAVETHRU revolutionized communication in this vibrant coworking center.

The challenge: High-performance double glazing barrier

As the last windows were being placed, a formidable obstacle emerged. The implementation of high-performance double glazing, while beneficial for insulation, posed a significant problem. The modern glazing, designed to enhance energy efficiency, inadvertently disrupted mobile connectivity. Suddenly, the convenience of making phone calls within the building became a distant memory.

A retrofitted solution: WAVETHRU to the rescue Silversquare Antwerp

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, Silversquare Antwerp embarked on a retrofitting project with WAVETHRU. The goal was to restore seamless communication without compromising the architectural advancements that had been integrated.

The WAVETHRU treatment: 10 Days to connectivity bliss

In just 10 days, the WAVETHRU team undertook the challenge of treating numerous windows. The focus was on harmonizing the aesthetic appeal of the high-performance glazing with optimal mobile connectivity.

Results: A connectivity revolution for Silversquare Antwerp

The transformation was nothing short of remarkable:

Overcoming communication barriers: WAVETHRU successfully mitigated the impact of high-performance glazing, allowing occupants to enjoy uninterrupted communication.
Optimized working environment: Professionals, including architects, could now work efficiently without the barrier of disrupted phone signals.
Efficient phone communication: Silversquare Antwerp experienced the power of WAVETHRU, where phone calls within the building were restored to their full potential.

Conclusion: Elevating coworking experiences

The Silversquare Antwerp case is a testament to the transformative impact of WAVETHRU. It’s not just about enhancing mobile connectivity; it’s about creating environments where seamless communication is a fundamental part of the workspace.

Ready to transform Your workspace?

Is your workspace facing similar connectivity challenges? WAVETHRU is here to help. Contact us tod ay for a comprehensive FREE audit and embark on a journey to revolutionize your workspace’s connectivity.

Are you aware of the healthy approach to connectivity you take in your day-to-day work? Arriving in a new city and trying to navigate in an unfamiliar location, trying to upload information at a busy event or suddenly experiencing a signal loss: there are few things more frustrating than waiting for your phone to connect to a signal strong enough to access the information you need right at that moment.

At the same time the constant searching and reloading increases the phone’s energy consumption, using up its battery and, in some cases, causing the phone to heat up.

This just adds to the increasing amount of time we spend online – reportedly up to 400 minutes or six hours and 40 minutes per day. And the more time we spend connected, the more we consider how much of an impact the technology may potentially have on our health. Hence the importance of a healthy approach to connectivity.

Wireless devices such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, and radio and television transmitters emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs). Over time the human body absorbs energy from RF EMF waves and the effects depend on the frequency range and intensity of the individual’s exposure.

According to the Risks to Health and Well-Being From Radio-Frequency Radiation (RFR) Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices, 32 countries or governmental bodies within these countries have issued policies and health recommendations concerning exposure to RFR (which includes radio waves). Three US states issued advisories to limit exposure to RFR and in France Wi-Fi has been removed from pre-schools and ordered to be shut off in elementary schools when not in use. Also, children aged 16 years or under have been banned from bringing cell phones to school. However, the research did note that there were gaps in the current body of evidence and made a number of recommendations about collecting accurate data.

Some people have also reported the development of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). It is characterized by dermatological symptoms as well as fatigue, tiredness, concentration difficulties, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitation, and digestive disturbances.

But the World Health Organization has stated EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to exposure to electromagnetic waves. It has said EHS is not a medical diagnosis and it is not clear that it represents a single medical problem. This does not exclude opting for a healthy approach to connectivity.

There are dedicated solutions to ensure enhanced signal performance in the appropriate locations and guarantee adequate indoor connectivity to minimize overexposure to waves.

WAVETHRU from WAVE by AGC improves the transmission of radio frequencies with a glass surface treatment. More signal enters the building, resulting in improved communication between the base station and the phone. It uses less power so fewer waves are generated. According to a study by Ghent University, offices with WAVETHRU saw a significant reduction in exposure to radio frequency waves – for a 2G call exposure was 75% lower, for a 4G video call it was 58% lower and for a 4G FTP file upload it was 36% lower. It was also found that the combined effects of the improved connection were also highly beneficial for a mobile-phone user’s RF exposure. On average (considering all user scenarios), WAVETHRU glazing decreased the total absorbed whole-body dose of a user by 76%.

WAVEANTENNA provides large scale Wi-Fi coverage using the mapping of signage. The easy to install, barely visible aesthetic antenna solution can integrate with functional or mandatory signage (emergency exit sign for example). Through logo printing, the antenna can be part of the branding experience of the company too. It can also enable FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) that solves the challenge of transmitting a high-quality signal for insulated buildings, with a non-intrusive, simple, and clean installation.

Just as there are several ways we can protect against exposure to electromagnetic waves and minimize their impact starting with the digital deter.

How? WAVETRAP enables to achieve superior shielding performance preventing electromagnetic radiation from entering a building. Invisible to the eye, and featuring high coating technology, it can also be used indoors to provide shielding between separate spaces.

These solutions can help us look after ourselves, our colleagues, and the environments we live and work in.

For more information visit https://wavebyagc.com/wavetrap/

In today’s hyperconnected world, reliable connectivity is not just a convenience but a necessity. Whether you’re in a co-working space trying to make important calls or in a healthcare facility where communication is critical, bad connectivity can be a major roadblock. To address this challenge and explore innovative solutions, we are excited to announce our upcoming webinar about solutions to Connectivity Challenges in Buildings:

Webinar Title
Bad Connectivity in Your Building – Let’s Talk About It!

Date
November 30, 2023 – 11:30 UTC+1

Hosted by
Wave by AGC in collaboration with Smart Building Collective.

The world of connectivity is ever-evolving, and our webinar is designed to provide insights, strategies, and solutions for tackling connectivity issues in different building environments. We have gathered a panel of experts who will guide you through the nuances of this critical topic.

Webinar Agenda

Introduction: Meet our moderator, Cynthia van Vroenhoven, who brings her field expertise to lead this enlightening discussion.
Let’s Talk About the Problem: Explore the nature of connectivity issues, understand tenant complaints, and the role of connectivity in smart buildings.
State of the Market: Get access to crucial statistics and emerging trends in connectivity.
Conclusion: Dive into the impact of bad connectivity and discover innovative solutions, including the groundbreaking Wavethru technology.

Our speakers, Xavier Radu, a Connectivity Expert, and Nicholas White, MBA, a Smart Building Expert representing Smart Building Collective, are poised to deliver valuable insights that will empower you to conquer connectivity challenges.

How to Join

Participation in the webinar is easy. Simply fill in the registration form via this link, and we’ll ensure you have all the necessary information to join us on November 30, 2023.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of connectivity, learn from industry experts, and find the right solutions for your building.

Stay Tuned about Solutions to Connectivity Challenges in Buildings

In the lead-up to the webinar, keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more updates, additional details, and exclusive content that will prepare you for this enlightening discussion.

For more information and to register, visit our registration page or contact us.

Join us as we unlock the secrets to seamless connectivity in your building. We look forward to connecting with you on November 30th!

Are you tired of poor mobile signal strength in your office building? Do you find it frustrating that you can’t make a simple phone call without experiencing dropped calls or poor call quality? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with poor mobile connectivity in office buildings, but fortunately, there are ways to improve it.

Here are 5 ways to improve mobile signal strength in your office building:

1. Install a laser surface treatment on your existing windows

A laser surface treatment like WAVETHRU can significantly improve mobile signal strength in your office building. It works by engraving the metal coating on windows that can block mobile signals from entering the building. With a laser surface treatment, you can enjoy better mobile connectivity without having to rely on bulky signal boosters or repeaters.

2. Use Wi-Fi calling

If your office building has a reliable Wi-Fi network, consider using Wi-Fi calling. This feature allows you to make calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of using the cellular network. It can help you avoid dropped calls and poor call quality, especially if you’re in an area with weak mobile signal strength.

3. Position your phone near a window

When you’re making a call, try to position your phone near a window. This can help improve mobile signal strength by allowing the signal to enter the building more easily. If your office has a windowless room, consider moving to a different area or using a Wi-Fi calling feature.

4. Use a signal booster in some cases to improve mobile signal strength

If none of the above solutions work, you can consider using a signal booster. A signal booster can help amplify the signal in your office building, which can improve call quality and reduce dropped calls. However, keep in mind that signal boosters can be expensive and may not work for all situations.

5. Contact your mobile service provider

If you’re experiencing poor mobile connectivity in your office building, contact your mobile service provider. They may be able to offer you a solution, such as a repeater or a signal booster. However, keep in mind that these solutions may only work for one mobile operator, and may not be as cost-effective as a laser surface treatment like WAVETHRU.

Improving mobile signal strength in your office building is essential for staying connected with your team and clients. By following these tips and considering options like a laser surface treatment, you can enjoy better mobile connectivity in your office building.

If you want to discuss your connectivity challenges, contact us.

In an increasingly connected world, the need for seamless and reliable indoor connectivity has never been more critical. Understanding the differences between various technologies – WiFi, Cellular Networks (4G/5G), and 5G Private Networks – is essential.

In this article, we explore the interconnection between WiFi, Cellular Networks (4G/5G), and the emerging 5G Private Networks, as well as some applications and use cases. Ultimately, we’ll explore how radio-friendly glazing can revolutionize indoor connectivity, letting Cellular Networks enter inside the building in a seamless way. Say goodbye to office connectivity problems, interrupted business calls and an inconsistent signal.

The Coexistence of Different Technologies and Their Trends

WiFi and Cellular Networks are often seen as rivals and competitive technologies, but they are better described as complementary partners in the quest for connectivity. Let’s first understand the landscape of these technologies and their trends.

The Frequency Challenge and Indoor Connectivity

Both WiFi and Cellular Networks are continuously evolving to meet the ever-increasing demand for data. This evolution often takes the form of higher frequencies, which is where the challenge arises.

The shift to higher frequencies allows for more data capacity and the management of more users but comes at a cost. Higher frequencies struggle to penetrate obstacles like façade, windows or dividing walls or leading to reduced indoor coverage.

WiFi technology has enjoyed several iterations, from 2.4 GHz (Gigahertz) to 5 GHz, and now even 6 GHz with WiFi 6E.
In the cellular world, 4G networks operate around 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz frequencies, and 5G goes even higher, including millimeter-wave frequencies up to 100 GHz. While these higher frequencies enable blazing-fast data speeds and low latency, they face the same challenge as WiFi – difficulty penetrating building materials.

Balancing the Equation

Despite the challenges posed by higher frequencies, WiFi and Cellular Networks are not adversaries. Instead, they are two pieces of a larger puzzle, each with its own role to play.

WiFi offers in-building connectivity, making it an essential component for homes, offices, and public spaces.
Cellular Networks, on the other hand, provide the backbone for outdoor and mobile communication.

WiFi: The Universal Companion

WiFi’s primary use is local wireless networking. Businesses often employ WiFi for guest access and basic office connectivity. It’s efficient for indoor local networking, such as in your home, office, or a coffee shop but can struggle with larger deployments due to limited coverage and interference.

Indeed, WiFi operates in an unlicensed spectrum and with limited power. Consequently, it delivers a limited range inside building and often fails to penetrate dense materials, causing dead zones. Its quality can depend on the number of users.

WiFi is typically used to connect non critical applications. It is does not require a sim card. The quality of the communication depends on the number of users which is not controlled, unlike a Cellular Network. WiFi can be used by anybody and hence is more sensitive to breach.

Small Offices and Homes: WiFi is perfect for smaller spaces with limited connectivity needs.
Guest Access in Public Spaces: cafes, hotels, and airports often use WiFi for visitor access.

From a status point of view, mainly WiFi6 is currently being rolled out. It is worth mentioning that the norm was granted in 2021 and is still being rolled out.

Cellular Networks: The Reliable and Secure Giants

Cellular Networks, including 4G and 5G, provide extensive coverage across large areas, both indoors and outdoors. Cellular Networks use more power than WiFi and operates in a licensed spectrum. Consequently, they are ideal for the provision of broader outdoor coverage with a high level of quality.

In fact, to operate in a licensed spectrum limits the interference and ensures a high degree of reliability and security. The number of users is controlled. The future trend is towards 5G. It promises even faster data rates and lower latency, revolutionizing mobile data services. Cellular Networks deliver a high degree of quality that enable to the remote management of assets in a harbour, or the remote monitoring of Ehealth patients.

Typical applications for Cellular Networks (4G/5G) include:

General Mobile Communication: Cellular Networks are the go-to choice for mobile calls and internet access in most situations.
IoT Applications: for devices requiring connectivity in various locations and environments.
Remote management of assets.
Smart manufacturing.
Smart Estate.

Currently all technologies 2G/3G/4G and 5G coexist on the territory. Former technologies 2G/3G are mainly dedicated to support analogic voice are currently being shut down to free the sprectrum for the full deployment of 4G and 5G.

Regarding the roll out of 5G we can see, it is being undertaken in 2 phases. First 5G Deployment will be done at 3.5GHz for capacity and 700MHz for coverage. The second phase in 3G 2100MHz will be replaced by LTE and leave 900MHz for #2G and 3G, the rest of the spectrum will be given to 4G/5G between 1800-2600MHz.

If we look at European countries, we can see that the deployment of 4G and 5G has not been fully achieved yet and is country dependent. It is interesting to notice that:

Currently 5G non standalone is being deployed, meaning that it is the 4G signal that triggers 5G when high data transfer is needed. Later fully standalone 5G will work in full standalone but it is not yet the case
Looking at 5G deployment, we can see that it is mainly the 5G coverage band which is deployed. This means we can ‘see” the 5G logo on our mobile phone but we don’t have the associated service level.

It is expected that several years are still needed to see the full roll-out of 5G standalone in Europe. Probably 5G NSA will be deployed where it is the most valuable for the capacity that it brings, ie. in city centers and dense areas.

5G Private Networks: Tailored for Specific Needs

5G private networks are designed for specific use cases, such as Industry 4.0, IoT, healthcare, and smart buildings. These networks offer dedicated, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity, perfect for mission-critical applications and IoT devices.

5G private networks are a sort of mini mobile networks deployed at the company level. They enable users to benefit from 5G specifications (low latency, reliable data transfer, high data transfer, robustness and security). They are often rolled out to quickly achieve high performance.

5G public networks are taking some time to be rolled out.

Typical applications:

Smart Factories: ensuring efficient, low-latency indoor connectivity for industrial automation and IoT devices.
Healthcare: supporting remote surgery, telemedicine, and monitoring devices.
Smart Buildings: ensuring indoor connectivity for building automation, security systems, and critical infrastructure.

Among some examples we can cite are:

Airbus factory which is rolling out 5G to monitor the aircraft construction.
Alcatel submarine which is using a network to monitor factory processes.

WAVETHRU The Game-Changing Role of Radio-Friendly Glazing for better Indoor Connectivity

As we have seen both WiFi and Cellular Networks are important to absorb the increasing need of digitalization and enable fast, reliable transfer of data.

Currently most buildings behave like a Faraday cage due to the usage of metallic deposition in windows and walls that ensures a high degree of energetical performance. The façade with increased usage of frequency becomes more and more of a challenge for the roll out of a 4G and 5G Cellular Network.

At AGC, we have developed WAVETHRU radio-friendly glazing a revolutionary solution for improving indoor Cellular Network coverage. By integrating this innovative technology into your building’s infrastructure, you can easily bridge the gap between indoor spaces and outdoor Cellular Networks.

There is no longer limited indoor connectivity in modern buildings or loss of connectivity in confined spaces.

There is:

Enhanced Coverage: Radio-friendly glazing allows 4G/5G signals to pass through, eliminating dead zones and ensuring that users enjoy reliable connectivity throughout the building.
Seamless Transition: With radio-friendly glazing, users can transition seamlessly between outdoor and indoor networks without interruption, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience.
Cost-Effective: By improving indoor Cellular Network coverage, you reduce the reliance on WiFi and costly repeaters, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
Security and Privacy: Radio-friendly glazing preserves the security and privacy of your network using cellular, making it an excellent choice for businesses, healthcare facilities, and government institutions.

Conclusion

In an era where uninterrupted connectivity is a necessity, it is crucial to navigate the complexities of WiFi, Cellular Networks, and 5G Private Networks effectively. Each technology has its strengths and limitations, making it vital to choose the right solution for your specific needs.

WAVETHRU Radio-friendly glass technology for better indoor connectivity, with its capacity to optimize mobile office network coverage seamlessly, is a game-changer. It eliminates the challenges posed by building materials and dead zones, avoiding bad networks at work and ensuring that users experience reliable and high-quality connectivity. This innovative solution is an investment in a more connected and efficient future, enhancing productivity, communication, and user experience in any indoor space.

Author : Xavier Radu ()

Indoor Mobile Coverage: A Growing Challenge

Indoor coverage refers to all systems that enable data exchange and phone connectivity within a building. In this article, we primarily focus on solutions for achieving high-quality indoor 2G/3G/4G/5G phone coverage. Currently, through our conducted audits, we observe that indoor coverage is becoming less natural in new buildings. This is paradoxical because the number of connected applications is increasing.

Many occupants complain about poor network coverage, resulting in slow or faulty applications or the inability to make external calls. We can specifically mention coworking spaces facing departures due to a lack of multi-operator coverage, healthcare facilities dealing with faulty 4G patient monitoring systems due to uneven coverage, and retail businesses experiencing problems with mobile payments and remote inventory management due to bandwidth limitations.

There is clearly a growing demand for uniform, high-quality indoor connectivity with substantial capacity in various sectors. Tenants are increasingly considering this aspect when choosing their building.

Is Indoor Mobile Coverage an Important Issue?

If we look at customer needs, telecom solutions, and construction methods, we observe that this problem will become more challenging in the future.

Regarding users:

It’s a general fact that 20 years ago, we only made phone calls, but now we can perform an impressive range of tasks with our smartphones (e.g., ehealth, ebanking, smarthome). The same applies to industries such as healthcare and transportation. This trend requires new workspaces and buildings to support these activities. There is a growing need for quality coverage within the building to facilitate massive data exchange and communication, often with low latency.

In terms of telecommunications, three key trends are noticeable:

Mobile networks, both Wi-Fi and cellular (4G, 5G), mainly operate in lower frequencies and are becoming saturated. To increase capacity, higher frequencies are required, but this comes at the cost of reduced coverage and increased sensitivity to building materials.
To protect user health, electromagnetic field (EMF) standards are becoming stricter, resulting in lower network power, which is not favorable for indoor connectivity.
Relying solely on Wi-Fi will not be sufficient. All technologies, including Wi-Fi and cellular networks, must be utilized to meet the demand. Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages. Wi-Fi is accessible but may lack quality and security, while cellular networks offer high quality and enhanced security but are more complex to implement.

Regarding buildings, we can highlight three key trends:

Buildings are becoming more energy-efficient.
Energy-efficient materials often contain metal, which significantly attenuates radio signals.
Indoor connectivity is rarely considered in building design. Solutions for providing connectivity are designated and installed after the building is closed, making them often expensive.
There is a trend towards increasingly multifunctional buildings, requiring multi-operator mobile coverage.

Regarding the glass used in buildings, it is not exempt from this trend. Since the 2000s, to achieve high energy performance, double and triple glazing often contain metallic layers that completely block radio waves but contribute to excellent energy performance.

In conclusion, the combination of all these factors demonstrates that indoor connectivity is becoming increasingly important and will be a crucial factor to consider in the buildings of the future, which are playing a more significant role in the choice of a building.

What Are the Best Practices for Improving Connectivity?

As connectivity experts, we propose a series of best practices to enhance connectivity in buildings:

Start Thinking About Connectivity from the Beginning: Consider connectivity from the initial stages of building design or renovation.
Conduct Coverage Audits During Different Construction Phases: Evaluate the final coverage in the building and take necessary measures.
Choose Materials Compatible with Radio Coverage: Select materials for the building envelope, such as glass and separating walls, that are compatible with radio coverage. For example, consider using WAVETHRU glass.
Analyze Future Occupants’ Needs: Understand the connectivity requirements of future occupants in terms of quality, data quantity, latency, and the number of operators needed.
Place High-Connectivity Functions Appropriately: During interior layout planning, ensure that functions requiring high connectivity are located in suitable areas. For instance, place a “phone corner” where multi-operator connectivity is strong.
Implement Active Solutions When Necessary: Apply active solutions as needed to enhance connectivity.

Traditional Solutions for Improving Indoor Mobile Coverage

When natural indoor coverage is insufficient within a building, several traditional solutions are typically employed, which we outline below:

Wi-Fi: In this scenario, Wi-Fi is installed without any improvements to cellular networks. Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) is relied upon for calls and data exchange. This solution has its limitations because VoWiFi only works on certain phones, and call quality often depends on the number of users on the network. Additionally, visitors from outside often cannot access Wi-Fi for security reasons. This solution should be considered as a last resort.
Repeater: This scenario involves placing a repeater, a system that captures the outdoor signal from base stations and amplifies it within the building. This solution often works for only one operator and requires wiring the entire building to place antennas. Budget-wise, it can cost between €40,000 and €80,000. The system needs regular maintenance and upgrades as technologies evolve. Additionally, antenna placement can impact user health. In this scenario, no additional network capacity is provided; capacity remains limited by the surrounding GSM networks.
Distributed Antenna System (DAS): This scenario is similar to the repeater. Antennas are placed throughout the building to bring in the signal. Unlike the repeater, the system is directly connected to the operator’s network via fiber optic cables. In this case, real additional capacity is provided both to the network and within the building, typically for buildings with many occupants (>5,000). This solution is highly effective but generally costly and often tied to a single operator. Budget-wise, it can range from €200,000 to several million euros. Like the repeater, this solution needs regular updates, maintenance, and also affects user health.

WAVETHRU: A Game Changer

At WAVE by AGC, we have developed an alternative solution to these active solutions, allowing for natural cellular network coverage simply by allowing phone signals from the outside to pass through the glass. As mentioned earlier, high-performance glass blocks radio signals. WAVETHRU is a treatment that makes glass transparent to radio waves using a laser process. The solution is applied on-site once the building is closed on a portion of the glass, enabling natural coverage within the building. It’s important to note that this treatment has no impact on the physical properties of the glass.

This solution offers several advantages:

Passive
Quick to implement
Multi-operator
No maintenance required
Future-proof: When the operator updates its network with new technologies, these will automatically be available within the building.
Health benefits: This solution reduces user exposure to radiation by a factor of four, as phones require less power to connect to the external network.
Combinable with active solutions to reduce overall costs

Deployment of the Solution and Performance Guarantee

As mentioned earlier, this solution is passive and does not provide additional capacity like DAS. To ensure good coverage within the building, WAVE always conducts a series of audits to verify the strength and quality of the external network before deploying the WAVETHRU solution. The solution is typically deployed in three stages:

Stage 1: An audit is conducted to assess the quality of the external network and operational feasibility.
Stage 2: Glass treatment is applied.
Stage 3: A post-treatment audit is conducted to verify network coverage. Additional glass surfaces may be treated if necessary.

Who We Are?

AGC is a manufacturer of flat glass for the building and automotive industries. In 2018, we created the startup WAVE dedicated to analyzing connectivity in buildings and marketing solutions to improve it. WAVE conducts 200 coverage audits in buildings every year and has developed solutions such as transparent glass for mobile waves, antennas for 5G networks, and bulletproof glass.

In Conclusion

Indoor mobile coverage is an aspect that will become increasingly critical in the future and must be considered from the building’s design phase to avoid unpleasant surprises during commissioning. WAVE, with its expertise in the building and telecommunications sectors, can assist you at various stages to bring your building into the world of smart buildings:

Advise you throughout the construction phase on building choices.
Conduct coverage audits or provide simplified audit tools to assist in building planning.
Implement passive glass solutions (WAVETHRU) to ensure good natural indoor mobile coverage.
Certify your building for connectivity.

Contact us for more information
Click here

Introduction about the mobile network

In order to distribute the mobile signal the operators place a series of base stations on the territory. These antennas emit signals for 2G/3G/4G/5G technologies in several frequency bands ranging from 800MHz to 6GHz. The mobile phone antennas are distributed evenly over the territory to ensure a homogeneous coverage.

Operators use low frequency bands and high frequency bands to distribute the signal. The low bands are used to cover the territory, they propagate better and further but the associated quality of service is low and the number of users that can be addressed is lower, the high bands as for it propagate less well but give a better quality of service and allow to address more users. In terms of signal propagation, the signal from the base stations propagates like sound, the further away from the source the lower the signal. The higher the frequency the stronger and faster the attenuation.

source : https://ir.kontron.ag/5G_in_Iot__Update_on_AI_Neumann.pdf

Operators size their network to have an acceptable signal strength outside and inside buildings. Operators combine low frequency and high frequency approaches to provide mobile coverage that can address enough users outdoors and indoors. In their design a reasonable attenuation of about 10dB is taken into account for buildings.

At the technology level, several technologies coexist at the same time.

Impact of envelope attenuation

Mobile equipment requires two important elements : signal strength and signal quality. Below a certain threshold, the mobile equipment does not detect any signal and does not work anymore.

Coverage problems can occur for recent buildings that strongly attenuate mobile waves (attenuation < 30dB). In this case the building is out of the assumptions of attenuation used to size the networks used by operators and problems may appear.

In this type of building the outdoor signal is good, but inside the signal is weak and at the limit of sensitivity of phones and often available only in low band. This translates for the end user into :

NO signal available or only very close to the windows, once the user moves inside the building the signal fades and the phone cuts out
– A signal only available in the low band, i.e. a frequency used for coverage that can serve a limited number of users. During peak hours these bands can be saturated and the service can stop.
A signal available only in old technologies (2G/3G) that offer a very limited service (low quality apple)

Why do my calls stop?

A call can stop for several reasons

either the signal level goes below the sensitivity threshold of the phone, this can happen for example in buildings that are highly hermetic to mobile waves
or because the network is saturated and there are too many users, for example if my mobile phone is on a low band during the rush hour periods typically these bands are more quickly congested and the network can eject the users with a weak signal in order to force them to connect on another station and free capacities for the others
or because the phone is constantly changing technology because no signal is dominant and strong enough within the building.

Why can’t the person I’m talking to hear me or why does the communication stop in the middle?

Communication systems work in two directions, there is a downlink and an uplink. For a communication to be established, both links must be established in a reliable way. On the other hand, mobile systems constantly adapt their power according to the quality of the communication channel, whether it is at the base station or the GSM. The base station is more powerful than the mobile. The mobile is limited in power for health reasons.

In buildings with high attenuation, the uplink from the mobile will be the first to be degraded because of the limited power of the phone. In this type of building the signal from the base station is able to get in but the cell phone is not able to send its signal to the base station even though it is transmitting at full power. As a result, the end user can hear the caller but cannot answer.

What is a Faraday cage?

A Faraday cage is a metal enclosure that prevents certain electromagnetic radiation from entering or leaving the enclosure. The cage was invented in the 19th century and has a variety of applications in everyday life to protect sensitive electronic equipment or people. For example, Faraday cages are used in medical settings to prevent radio signals from entering the room and interfering with equipment, or in kitchen microwaves to trap microwaves inside the machine so they heat your food and don’t escape.

A Faraday cage is made of any electrically conductive material. This cage can be made of wire mesh, metal sheets or wire coils. It can be any shape, such as a box, sphere or cylinder, and any size, from extremely small to extremely large. Faraday cages can be quite complex or very simple, ranging from a shoebox to an entire building.

source : https://www.comsol.com/blogs/faraday-cages-say-do-not-pass-to-electromagnetic-waves/

In the building sector, recent buildings behave more and more like a Faraday cage, i.e. they strongly attenuate the mobile waves present outside.

This phenomenon is due to the fact that the materials used to build the facades, i.e. walls, insulation, glazing, contain more and more metallic elements. The walls contain metal reinforcements, the insulating panels are made with PU deposited on layers of aluminum and the glazing contain metal layers.

Concerning glazing, it is interesting to note that currently all glazing on the market contain one or more invisible metallic layers in order to obtain high thermal performance. These layers allow to keep the heat and avoid overheating in the building. All these metallic coatings stop mobile waves.

What is a good mobile connectivity in the end?

A good mobile connectivity is a signal strong enough to be above the sensitivity thresholds and a network sized to serve all users.

Get in touch with us to evaluate your building connectivity and improve the phone calls quality of its occupants thanks to our WAVE by AGC solutions.

Technologies developed in Gosselies (Belgium) enable to improve or block mobile communications inside a building.

The glazing of a building is likely to repel or to let pass generously the waves of the mobile networks. How can one or the other phenomenon be enhanced? In Barcelona, the Wave by AGC branch of AGC Glass Europe (formerly Glaverbel) is presenting its technological solutions developed at its research center in Gosselies at the Mobile World Congress. Wave by AGC is one of the thirty-five exhibitors in the Belgian delegation at the Mobile World Congress (February 28 – March 3, 2022).

Loss limited to 3 decibels
As the Wave by AGC website points out, 80% of mobile calls are received and transmitted from indoors. Insulation tends to attenuate the strength of the mobile signal. To the point of eventually disrupting communications.

“The evolution of buildings and their insulation means that there are more and more problems making phone calls indoors,” confirms Bernard Monville, head of Wave by AGC. “To solve this problem, there are two solutions. Either we install active systems that consume energy by re-emitting the waves inside. Or there is our solution called WAVETHRU. We apply an optical laser treatment to the existing glazing to better allow the waves to pass from the inside to the outside.”

According to Wave by AGC’s promises, this optical laser treatment reduces radio signal loss from 30 to 3 decibels on double glazing. “It’s applicable on existing glazing, on existing buildings,” Bernard Monville insists. “Our business is not oriented towards conventional houses at the moment. When we work on small buildings, for example bank agencies, the treatment is done in one day. If you let the waves pass better inside a building, the phone antenna will use less power. All benefits for health as well.”

Disconnected hotel rooms
On the other hand, Wave by AGC offers to block as much of the radio signals and electromagnetic waves as possible with its special WAVETRAP glazing. “It is increasingly requested for security, privacy or well-being of people who are hypersensitive to waves,” analyzed Bernard Monville. “The great advantage of the glazing we have developed is that the optical quality and transparency remain excellent.”

“We equipped an apartment whose owners are hypersensitive to waves. We also worked on the case of a hospital disturbed by the waves generated by the train passage in an underground station. There are also hotels that want to create totally disconnected rooms. It seems to be a business that is coming.”

This article is the translation of the original publication in French : https://m.lavenir.net/cnt/dmf20220303_01669876/des-vitrages-de-technologie-wallonne-pour-bloquer-ou-favoriser-le-signal-mobile