COMMUNICATION
The Benefits of Distributed Antenna Systems
by L. Quincy Harris
D
istributed Antenna Systems or (DAS) have,
for the most part, been overlooked by many
Indian gaming properties. However, if this need
is identified, low voltage system designers are
usually informed by owners well into the new
facility design process to provide the infrastructure required to support the DAS system.
What this means is that the service becomes an
afterthought, the design has to be added to the
overall backbone low voltage system and most
importantly, the casino owner ends up receiving a bill for an add service to the construction
process.
Cellular phones have become part of our daily
lives and guests view them as a very personal
amenity that they will not give up. As a result, casino
and hotel owners are now expected to provide a
venue with extended and ubiquitous coverage to not
only retain existing customers, but to also attract
new ones.
Keeping guests and personnel wirelessly connected can
actually create additional revenue for a casino/hotel property.
A venue can actually lose revenue by not having a system
in place to provide an expected high level of coverage.
Surprisingly enough, though, this aspect of consideration is
often overlooked and only a select few Indian properties have
discovered the advantages in addressing these needs. This will
change as venues recognize and experience the following:
• 75% of all cellular calls originate from inside buildings.
• Studies show that as much as 80% of mobile broadband users demand anywhere, any time access and will
not tolerate venues that do not provide this environment.
• A significant percentage of business is now conducted on wireless devices such as cellular voice/data,
Wi-Fi, ZigBee, RFID and 2-way radios.
• Ubiquitous cellular coverage in casino venues will
actually keep customers gambling and more importantly
keep them coming back.
• Existing macro networks are falling short of supporting in-building needs with increase in data traffic.
• Cellular carriers are modernizing their next generation
38 Indian Gaming
July 2010
networks with in-building DAS coverage as a
critical part of their solution.
In addition to benefits of ubiquitous cellular coverage,
a venue owner can utilize other amenities on their DAS to
increase revenue either through increased efficiencies in
hotel operations such as POS, and bar code scanning for
food & beverage services. Amenities such as Wi-Fi can be
used for guests to pay per use services.
About 70% of the Las Vegas strip has some form of DAS
system installed. For example, MGM Project City Center,
which is the largest privately funded casino and hotel
project in the world, installed a comprehensive DAS
network that provides public safety, cellular and two-way
radio in-building service covering over 62 acres.
However, it is estimated that there are about 5% of Indian
casino properties with some form of DAS deployment. This
is a definitely a step in the right direction. More information
on the benefits of DAS will also help hasten the process.
The solution that addresses this coverage problem is
known as a Distributed Antenna System, commonly known
as a DAS. The DAS is designed and implemented to improve
in-building coverage and capacity for cellular phones, PDA’s,
Wi-Fi, two-way radios, security applications and many other
“connected” technologies that benefit a venue.
“About 70% of the Las Vegas strip has some form of DAS system installed... However,
it is estimated that there are about 5% of Indian casino properties with some form
of DAS deployment.”
The DAS utilizes antenna technology by strategically
placing antenna nodes throughout a building to help
facilitate the propagation of Radio Frequency (RF) signals
used in cellular and other wireless applications. These
systems support a wide range of frequencies and technologies,
including the latest cellular technologies to support the
significant increase in use by the cellular carriers.
Distributed Antenna Systems, believe it or not, will
someday be as necessary to a venue as installation of HVAC
systems. Its implementation will provide guests not only
the connected environment they require and deserve,
but also it will lower Capex/Opex areas that were
never available until today. Lastly, nobody knows what
technologies will be available tomorrow, but a correctly
designed DAS will future-proof a facility to address whatever might be on the next horizon.
Keep in mind that after the DAS is installed, fire, police
and other emergency personnel can have access to several
frequencies that are built into this system. In some jurisdictions, fire marshall’s and inspectors are allowed to review
the system deployment to ensure compliance with local,
county and state codes as applicable. p
L. Quincy Harris is president of Networks West Consulting, a
technology design firm located in Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be
reached by calling (702) 838-0000 or email [email protected].
NATIONAL TRIBAL GAMING
COMMISSIONERS/REGULATORS
CONFERENCE
October 5-7, 2010
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center
Green Bay, Wisconsin
For more information, visit: www.NTGCR.com
Call Dawn Reiter at (920) 737-2814 or
email: [email protected].
July 2010
Indian Gaming 39