Most employees aren’t coming to work with just a briefcase in hand anymore. In today’s bring-your-own-device culture, an office worker might arrive in the mornings with a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone and a smartwatch, each of which needs to run on the same WiFi and cellular networks.

Enterprise users are demanding access to seamless, fast, efficient cellular connectivity indoors. Having it can drive tenant satisfaction, which in turn can have a positive impact on net operating income and property value. Conversely, if their employees can’t connect devices indoors, tenants may leave in favor of a building that can better meet their needs.

In an effort to maximize their property value and maintain tenant satisfaction, many building owners and management companies are investing in distributed antenna systems to spread dedicated indoor wireless signals.

“High-end tenants are already beginning to demand state-of-the-art communications in any facility they move into,” Cheytec Telecommunications Chairman Jim Spinella said. "Improved in-building connectivity is now a strategic necessity for property owners.”

Current carrier networks were built to service cellular traffic originating and ending outside. Office occupants are left with the signal that trickles in through the walls and windows, and many smart and green building updates diminish that signal even further. A distributed antenna system creates a seamless handoff from outside to inside, greatly improving indoor service and ending dropped calls. DAS can also ease the burden on congested WiFi networks, speeding up connections for every device.

From software companies to creative agencies, more of today’s office tenants are doing work — like coding and videoconferencing — that eats up a great deal of bandwidth. In return for a connected and productive work environment, these tenants are willing to pay higher rents and also sign on for longer lease terms, according to Intenna Systems CEO Christopher Lange.

“Technologically efficient, convenient and connected buildings are quickly becoming the standard in today’s CRE market,” Lange said. "Buildings that do not live up to this standard impact future revenue and risk losing tenants, lowering leasing rates and diminishing ROI when looking to divest the property.”

Global mobile data consumption is forecast to increase exponentially over the next decade. With an ever-growing population dependent on mobile devices, Lange believes providing the structure and foundation for reliable connection will be a key selling point for any commercial operation in the future.

Implementing a DAS is no small task. Converting existing structures and building an efficient system requires a team of highly trained and specialized engineers and designers, Lange said. Partnering with a managed service provider like Intenna can alleviate the challenges of choosing, designing and installing these systems.

“The time to transition to faster, safer, more reliable service is now,” Lange said. “Tenants expect more dependable and more convenient connectivity while using their own smartphones, tablets and laptops. Properties with up-to-date, comprehensive wireless solutions like DAS will be in demand, making buildings with older technology less attractive to tenants.”

This feature was produced by Bisnow Branded Content in collaboration with Intenna Systems. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.