Clear as a cell

Use of both voice- and text-capable mobile phones and other wireless devices such as pagers, personal digital assistants, and portable computers is soaring. More than 50% of wireless users report transmission holes within their workplaces. Reception is a big problem 150 to 200 feet off the ground because wireless transmission sites are usually pointed toward street level to reach the greatest number of subscribers. The in-building cell coverage business model fits in well with today's commercial property operator mentality. Although in-building cell-service supplier approaches tend to differ in certain respects, each system can support as many different wireless service providers as agree to participate without duplicating the wiring and support equipment. Key to long-term success of the in-building cell coverage business is whether the contractors, as intermediaries, can successfully attract sufficient wireless system providers to their lines to turn a profit.