October 14, 2019
Choosing the Right In-building Wireless Solution for My Building
Step 1: Realizing that you need an in-building wireless system (IBW) in your building. COMPLETE!
Step 2: Deciding which IBW solution you need.
With multiple IBW options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to understand which one would best fit your building. DAS or D-RAN? What’s the difference between the two? Which one should I choose?
We made it easy for you.
Key Differences Between DAS and DRAN
| DAS | D-RAN | |
| Head-End | Higher space, power & cooling requirements. | Lower space, power & cooling requirements. |
| IDF-Remote | Lower space, power & cooling requirements. | Higher space, power & cooling requirements; likely no battery back-up |
| Fiber | ~2-4 strands to each remote node typical | ~16-32+ strands to each radio node typical |
| Cost | Higher for venues with low user/capacity densityLower for venues with high user/capacity density | *Lower for venues with low user/capacity densityHigher for venues with high user/capacity density |
| Neutral Host | Yes. Better when deploying >2 operators and/or >2 frequency bands | Yes. Better when deploying 1-2 operators and/or 1-2 frequency bands |
| Capacity | Generally fewer sectors, but greater amount of spectrum. | Generally more sectors, but a smaller amount of spectrum. |
| Expandability | Easier to add bands/operators. | Space, power, cooling constraints may limit capability |
*assumes local, ac power available
DAS has carrier equipment and radios centrally located in the headend which feeds into third-party DAS equipment that shares remote amplifiers distributed throughout the facility.
D-RAN removes the third-party equipment and distributes the carrier radios throughout the facility in place of the third-party radios.
The biggest difference between DAS & D-RAN is where the majority of the carrier-specific equipment is located, (i.e., headend and/or IDF).
As a venue owner you want to ask yourself, “What kind of user density and data traffic capacity does my venue require? Do I have the right space available to accommodate either a DAS or DRAN solution? Do I have and/or am I willing to give up a large central “data center” type room? Is my IDF/riser closet space and power limited?