Different telecommunications providers rely on different methods to provide service to their customers. While fiber optics is talked about a lot, wireless solutions are still very popular.
Enclosure solutions for wireless applications have a variety of benefits for providers.
For one, providers can deploy wireless networks relatively quickly and easily. Rather than spend the money to lay fiber to a community, a provider can set up a tower to provide service. Because of this, some providers use wireless as a stop-gap to get their foot into the door and start providing service. Later, they might go in and build the fiber network the rest of the way to homes so wireless is no longer needed.
One main way wireless services are used is to connect residents in sparsely populated areas where fiber hasn’t been deployed to. Instead of building fiber networks to each home in those areas, the provider can put an antenna on a water tower or similar tall structure with a line of sight to the homes.
On the other hand, wireless service is also used in densely populated areas with a lot of cellular and data traffic. Providers will often set up multiple antennas to help alleviate congestion and improve service. In addition to densely populated areas, this can come in handy at certain facilities where large people might gather together at a time, raising the density and the need to handle more cell signals. Stadiums are a good example of this. When not in use, there isn’t as much cellular traffic in the area, but on game day, thousands, even hundreds of thousands, will flood into stadium. Providers will deploy a DAS to help handle the extra cell signals and data coming in and out.
At American Products, we have helped wireless service providers build out their networks to provide reliable service to their customers.
Let’s take a look at the enclosure solutions for wireless service systems that American Products can assist with.
Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)
WISPs often provide service in rural areas with low home density. These providers often place their broadcasting/receiving equipment on a high point that looks down on the area, such as a hill or water tower. The homes served have receivers and modems to connect to the internet. With this system, providers can serve multiple homes on an unregulated network.
Small Cell
Small cell networks are often set up in denser areas where space is at a premium. In those areas, wireless providers will set up these small cell networks to help alleviate cellular and data congestion. These networks often comprise cabinets, possibly on poles or building tops, that transmit and receive data in a very localized area. The components, e.g., cabinets, are often grouped closely together to provide maximum coverage.
Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
Like small cell networks, DAS setups are designed to help spread out cellular data in a small area. These are often deployed to places like stadiums, arenas and conference centers—facilities where big crowds gather. DAS helps providers manage that significant uptick in cellular and data needs during events.
Wireless to Fiber Network
These types of networks are often deployed in remote areas with high-density pockets. In this setup, instead of running fiber/cables to a tower and broadcasting/receiving cell and data signals there, the provider broadcasts from their central office or other location to a tower. Then, the provider will lay fiber from the tower or another nearby node to each home. The information goes from the homes to the tower, where it is then transmitted back to the central office or backhaul location.
Wireless Service Enclosure Solutions
Wireless service providers utilize different ways to connect customers, but they all have one thing in common-they will require enclosures at various stages of the process.
For some, those enclosures will be deployed at the base of the transmitting/receiving antenna. These enclosures will likely hold power equipment for the radio equipment, backup battery power systems and possibly backhaul equipment. For others, the enclosures might be located remotely, possibly at the central office/data center. These enclosures often hold the backhaul equipment, including power and backup power systems.
American Products Enclosure Solutions
At American Products, our team has experience helping wireless providers connect their customers. We offer pole- and pad-mount cabinets and shelters to protect the telecommunications gear needed for a successful setup. When you use an American Products enclosure solution, you can trust it to keep your equipment safe and secure from the elements, wildlife and potential thieves. Our team will work with you to size the cabinet to your needs.
We can create enclosure solutions that house and protect power equipment for radio or backhaul systems, battery backup and more.
Our team will also work with your organization to determine what upgrades would be ideal for your system.
American Products builds every single enclosure solution in our Strafford, MO. Manufacturing facility. We work with other American-based manufacturers to source American-made materials and components when available. This means American Products enclosures will help you meet Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requirements for funding.
If you’d like to learn more about how American Products can help you build a quality wireless network, please contact our enclosure specialists at 417.736.2135.