The evolutionary impact of the pandemic, combined with the continuing shift towards flexible and remote work patterns and the proliferation of start-ups, have significantly influenced demand for adaptable workplace solutions with optimized mobile connectivity.
Coworking is becoming one of the fastest growing industries – as of June 2022, over 28,000 coworking spaces existed around the world. This figure is expected to reach 41,975 by the end of this year. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the coworking space market, followed by North America.
A coworking space helps employees replicate that sense of community they may be missing in the virtual workplace. It is shared by individuals or companies who rent from the property owner. Unlike a traditional office rental, the use of related services/equipment such as office chairs and desks, internet/Wi-Fi connection, hardware and software is included.
However, some connectivity issues can arise from the number of businesses and volume of people working in the same space. With 70% to 80% of calls carried out within a building, ensuring reliable mobile connectivity is vital.
Here are five signs your co-working space needs to improve its mobile connectivity:
1. Poor Call Quality
Either you can’t hear the other person or they can’t hear you. This can be very frustrating and ultimately affect the professional image you want to convey. If it is an especially busy workspace background noise will only be more distracting.
2. Signal loss
Calls that get cut-off can be very disruptive to the flow of the conversation. They can also be a way for people to cut short a meeting before a conclusion has been reached, They can potentially slow down sales, progress and action.
3. Difficulty in responding via WhatsApp or Messenger
An unreliable signal can result in missed messages or communications not being sent. Both can have a negative impact on the way you work and how your business progresses.
4. Problems downloading photos and videos
We receive information in all sorts of formats that are essential to our work. When we can’t immediately retrieve vital data that can be very detrimental.
5. Poor connectivity
In some cases, this can result in callers having to go out of the building to have a consistently strong connection or make a payment. Today’s communications have evolved to support smooth and fast operations. When poor signal strength interferes with that regularly, the impact can be far reaching.
Bridging the gap: the frequency challenge
As we developed in a previous blog, 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.
Elevating indoor mobile connectivity with radio-friendly glazing?
To overcome connectivity issues in the office, more antennas are needed to optimize coverage. Or the antennas in place are required to handle a greater workload which can reduce latency. This increases costs, can be unsightly and finding a suitable location can be challenging.
Fortunately, there are relatively affordable and easy ways to upgrade mobile connectivity for the coworking space operator that is expected to provide good coverage.
WAVETHRU from Wave by AGC is a multi-operator solution that maximizes call quality by ensuring:
• A stronger signal with improved call quality indoors and the ability to manage multiple frequencies.
• Better end-user experience as phones consume less power for a longer battery life.
• Easy installation as the treatment is applied on-site to existing windows and non-intrusive as there are no wires.
• No impact on building aesthetics or double glazing performance as it is invisible to building occupants.
• Cost effectiveness as there is no need for obtrusive or unsightly systems (DAS comparison) and zero maintenance is required.
• Sustainability as the treatment has a long life, does not require energy and the glass can be recycled. The process also does not affect the glazing insulation or thermal performance.
Want to know more on how to enhance your co-working space experience and ensure a productive environment?
Get in touch with us now.