CASE STUDY

Despite its grandeur and charm, the hotel faced a significant challenge regarding reliable cellular coverage. The building is on Whitehall Place; as its name suggests, it was the War Office for the United Kingdom during both world wars. In the years between the wars, the building was significantly reinforced to protect it from the threat of aerial bombing.  Accor Group have retained certain rooms of historical importance, the cabinet war room and Churchill’s office where you can still smell the cigar smoke! The building’s thick walls and historical architecture created a barrier for cellular signals, which would result in poor call quality and slow data speeds for guests and staff. Recognising the importance of seamless communication services, the hotel management sought a solution to enhance the mobile network coverage and improve the overall guest experience.

The Challenge 

The main challenge faced by the Old War Office Hotel was the inadequate cellular coverage and capacity within the building. At the request of the Westminster Development Services Ltd, Pan RF surveyed the existing mobile coverage within the building to understand what signal was available inside the building. The mobile coverage in the building was, to say the least, non-existent.   The result would be that Guests and staff would experience dropped calls, weak signals, and slow data speeds, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. This would affect the guests’ ability to stay connected and hamper the hotel’s operations and customer service. Event organisers would need help maintaining reliable communication during conferences and meetings, hindering their ability to deliver successful events.

The historical nature of the building further complicated the challenge. The thick walls made it difficult for external cellular signals to penetrate the interior, exacerbating the coverage issue. Traditional solutions, such as installing passive infrastructure, were not feasible due to aesthetic restrictions and the preservation of the building’s architectural integrity.

The Solution

Pan RF decided to deploy an Active Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to address the cellular coverage challenges at the Old War Office Hotel. An Active DAS is a network of antennas strategically placed throughout the hotel to distribute cellular signals evenly and efficiently.

The deployment began with a comprehensive site survey and analysis to understand the hotel’s structural layout and identify areas where antennas and radio units could be deployed.  Based on this information, the design and engineering team developed a customised Active DAS solution tailored to the hotel’s requirements. It ensured the system was invisible, with no coverage units on display or accessible to the public.

The Active DAS included a network of strategically placed antennas connected to a centralised headend. The headend received cellular signals from co-located base stations and distributed them through the antennas, effectively amplifying and distributing them throughout the building. The Active DAS was designed to support multiple cellular technologies, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G (DSS), to ensure seamless coverage across various frequency bands. The design was then submitted to the Mobile operators for approval.

Installing the Active DAS required careful planning and coordination with the principal contractor to minimise disruptions to the building and restoration of the hotel. The antennas were discreetly installed in various locations, including common areas, guest rooms, conference rooms, and back-of-house areas. The system was integrated with the existing infrastructure, ensuring a seamless user experience without compromising the building’s aesthetics.

The Outcome

The deployment of the Active DAS in the Old War Office Hotel resulted in a significant improvement in cellular coverage and capacity. Guests and staff will experience reliable voice and data services throughout the premises, eliminating dropped calls and slow data speeds. The network coverage will enhance the guest experience, allowing them to stay connected and productive.

The Active DAS also has a positive impact on the hotel’s operations. Event organisers can rely on seamless communication services during conferences and meetings, leading to successful and productive events—the hotel staff benefit from improved connectivity, enabling them to deliver prompt and efficient service to guests.

Moreover, the deployment of the Active DAS showcased the hotel’s commitment to providing a premium experience for its guests. The seamless cellular coverage and capacity added value to the hotel’s offerings, positioning it as one of the premium hotels in London.

To understand how Pan RF can improve your coverage, contact nick.hawke@panrf.com