Solving Cellular Dead Zones a regional hospital in Victoria
Overview
The regional Community Hospital expansion was a strategic initiative by the healthcare provider to alleviate pressure on major regional hospital facilities. With the increase in staff and patient capacity, high-performance digital infrastructure was essential to support modern healthcare delivery.
Challenge: Signal Barriers in Modern Construction
While the expansion modernised the facility, the construction materials used created significant barriers to cellular signals. This resulted in unreliable mobile reception throughout the new wings. To ensure staff safety and operational efficiency, the healthcare provider required a solution that provided reliable, high-quality coverage for all three major Australian carriers.
Solution: Nextivity Quatra 4000e Active DAS Hybrid
Following a detailed site assessment, it identified that the Nextivity Quatra 4000e is the optimal solution. This multi-carrier, active DAS hybrid system is designed to provide uniform 5G, 4G, and 3G signals across large-scale environments.
Technical Architecture
- 1 x Network Unit (NU): Acts as the headend, receiving donor signals off-air from high-gain outdoor antennas.
- 5 x Coverage Units (CU): Distributed via fibre optic cabling to ensure zero signal degradation across the hospital.
- 16 x Antennas: Strategically positioned to eliminate black spots in both clinical and public zones.
Pre-installation measurements confirmed that the macro coverage from all carriers was strong enough to be effectively boosted and distributed by the Quatra hardware.
Implementation & Technical Hurdles
The installation required precise coordination to overcome two primary challenges:
1. Navigating Infrastructure Congestion
The original proposed location for the Network Unit was heavily congested with existing hospital services. The installer collaborated with stakeholders to identify a secondary, suitable location that met all technical requirements without interfering with critical hospital cabling.
2. Fire Safety & Compliance
Maintaining fire-rated integrity was paramount. To meet strict certification standards, the installer worked closely with the healthcare provider and specialist fire-sealing contractors. Every core hole and cable penetration was completed to the required safety codes and professionally certified.
The Result: Seamless Multi-Carrier Coverage
The commissioned system transformed connectivity within the hospital. Key outcomes included:
- Full Signal Strength: Seamless coverage for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone users.
- Future-Ready: A 5G-compatible infrastructure that supports current and future medical technologies.
- Operational Safety: Reliable communication lines for staff, improving overall patient care.
The health facility expressed high satisfaction with the result, noting that the connectivity now meets the rigorous demands of the expanded regional hospital.
Stay Connected!
Optimise Your Facility’s Connectivity
If your facility is facing cellular reception challenges, contact RFI today to discuss a tailored DAS or cellular boosting solution.