“How much will it cost?” is the first question most building owners ask about indoor mobile coverage. The honest answer is that it depends on the building, and two projects of the same size can differ widely in price. What we can do is explain what drives the cost, so you know what to expect and where the budget goes.
1. Building size and layout
The area to be covered is the starting point, but layout matters as much as floor space. Many small rooms, long corridors, basements, car parks and lift shafts all need more antennas and cabling than an open-plan floor of the same size. Several buildings on one site also need cabling between them, often over fiber.
2. Construction materials
Concrete cores, steel frames and low-emissivity (energy-efficient) glass block signal from outside very effectively. That is often why the building needs a system in the first place, and it also means the indoor design has to work harder: more antennas, placed closer together.
3. Coverage target and capacity
There is a big difference between “phones should work everywhere” and “thousands of people should be able to stream video at the same time”. A system designed for coverage alone costs less than one designed for capacity in busy venues such as stadiums, airports, malls and conference centres.
4. Number of operators and frequency bands
Each mobile operator and each frequency band the system must carry adds equipment and design work. A single-operator system is simpler than one shared by every operator, although a shared neutral host system can still cost less overall than several separate systems.
5. System architecture
The type of system has a large effect on equipment cost:
- Repeater or signal booster: lowest cost, for small areas with a usable outdoor signal
- Passive DAS: cost-effective for small and medium buildings
- Hybrid DAS: a balance of reach and cost for mid-size and large buildings
- Active DAS: highest equipment cost, best for large sites and many operators
- Small cells: add capacity in targeted areas
Our guide to active vs passive DAS explains the trade-offs in more detail.
6. Signal source
A system fed by an outdoor donor antenna and repeater avoids the cost of operator equipment on site, but only works if there is a usable signal outside. Larger systems are usually fed by operator base stations or small cells installed in the building, which adds equipment, space and power requirements as well as operator involvement.
7. Public safety requirements
Many jurisdictions require in-building radio coverage for firefighters and other first responders. In the United States, this usually follows the International Fire Code (Section 510) and NFPA 1225. Meeting those requirements can involve dedicated equipment, backup power, enclosures and acceptance testing, so it should be scoped early. See our public safety radio solutions.
8. Survey and design
A professional site survey and RF design (often in iBwave) is a small share of the total cost, but it has the biggest influence on everything that follows. A good design avoids over-building, which wastes money, and under-building, which leads to dead zones and expensive rework. Read how iBwave design services handle complex structures.
9. Installation conditions
Labour is often a large part of the budget. Costs rise with:
- Hard ceilings, finished interiors and heritage buildings
- Restricted working hours in occupied buildings such as hospitals and hotels
- Long vertical risers, or a lack of cable routes
- Work at height or in high-security areas
A new build is far cheaper to equip than an occupied building, because cabling can go in before ceilings close.
10. Approvals, testing and maintenance
Operator approvals, commissioning tests and any authority sign-off add time and cost. After handover, ongoing monitoring and maintenance keep the system working as networks change. That is worth including in the budget from day one.
How to keep costs under control
- Plan early. Designing coverage into a new building costs far less than retrofitting it.
- Survey first, then design. Measured data avoids guesswork and change orders.
- Design for the next five years, not just today. Consider future 5G bands and occupancy.
- Share infrastructure where possible. One neutral host system can replace several single-operator systems.
- Coordinate with other trades. Shared containment and cable routes reduce installation time.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no standard price per square metre for DAS?
Because materials, layout, capacity needs, number of operators and installation conditions vary so much between buildings. Any per-area figure is only a rough guide until a survey and design are done.
Is a repeater cheaper than a DAS?
Usually, yes, for small areas with a usable outdoor signal. In larger or more complex buildings, a single repeater cannot provide even coverage, and a DAS becomes the more cost-effective long-term option.
Who pays for an in-building coverage system?
It varies. Building owners, mobile operators or third-party neutral host providers may fund the system, alone or together.
Get an accurate estimate for your building
The fastest way to an accurate budget is a site survey. Aegotel delivers in-building coverage solutions, from survey and iBwave design to equipment supply and installation. Contact our team to discuss your project.
