May 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 81

ute that signal to antennae inside
the building that rebroadcast the
signal to its occupants.
There are three types of DAS
solutions: analog passive DAS
(also called repeaters or boosters), which is an older technology
that has lower signal gain, thus a
smaller coverage footprint based
on FCC regulations; active DAS
solutions for larger facilities of
500,000 square feet or more; and
newer active DAS hybrids that are
generally the most cost effective
and fastest to install in facilities,
ranging from 30,000 square feet to
500,000 square feet.
To find the best solution for its
facilities, Fox Valley Recreation
District issued an RFP with two
phases. The first phase was a site
survey to determine the coverage
needs, and the second phase was
the proposal of a solution.
" We solicited proposals several times, but there aren't a lot
of solution providers out there
that can do the job. Each carrier
wanted to bring in its own physical connections and distribute its
signal through a BDA [Bi-Directional Amplifier] passive DAS, but
that didn't make sense. We needed
a multicarrier solution, " says Michael. " KonectaUSA proposed a
hybrid solution with an antenna
on the building that pulls in the
signals of all the carriers and extends that signal into the building.
We smiled at that point. "
A site survey was conducted,
which uncovered several challenges. The signals from a cellular
tower located close to the building

PHOTO COURTESY OF KONECTAUSA

The cellular signal is amplified indoors by
the active DAS hybrid, then distributed
by ethernet cable to small antennae and
rebroadcast throughout the building.

could potentially overpower signals from other operators, creating
significant interference. And, the
sheer size and configuration of
the athletic center required some
ingenuity, as the tennis courts had
all-metal enclosures, and the mirrors in the locker room prevented
signals from propagating.
Based on previous experience
installing this solution for other
customers, KonectaUSA recommended the Cel-Fi QUATRA active DAS hybrid from Nextivity
as the solution for the district. The
system's affordability in addition to
its ability to handle carrier signals
of highly different power levels that
were found in the site survey and
its large coverage footprint, were
among the key factors in choosing this solution. It also took two
weeks and just two technicians to
complete the entire installation.
" This hybrid offers powerful

gain, which allowed us to get the
absolute best quality signal into
Fox Valley Park District, " says
Mike Shortridge, a partner at
KonectaUSA.
" Now guests come into the fitness
or tennis center or other facilities
and can be confident they will get a
cellphone call or have a signal. That
continues through all our buildings,
including administration and our
call center, with staff as well. Our
minds are set at ease knowing we are
connected, especially in case of an
emergency, as everyone relies heavily on their cellphones in the world
we live in, " says Michael. " Cel-Fi
QUATRA has given us something
we never had - cellphone connection in our facilities. That was our
objective from the start, and with
the help of KonectaUSA, we've
achieved it. "
Steve Van Skike is a Senior Technical Manager
at Nextivity, Inc. (hello@cel-fi.com).

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