Indoor cellular dead zones are common in commercial buildings. Concrete, metal, and coated glass block mobile signals, leading to dropped calls and unusable data connections. A distributed antenna system (DAS) was one of the first ways to address the indoor-dead-zones problem. It still sees use—but the model has clear limitations.

Let’s look at:

• What DAS really is and why it’s still used
• The root causes of poor indoor cellular coverage
• How DAS systems actually extend the signal inside buildings
• The hardware components that power a DAS system
• Where in-building DAS still shows up today
• What DAS delivers—and where results can fall short
• Breaking down the key physical elements in a DAS setup
• Comparing DAS vs. small cells vs. signal boosters
• When smaller or simpler options are enough
• Why Meter is a better fit for modern deployments
• The real limitations that make DAS hard to scale
• Rethink indoor signal coverage with Meter Cellular

What is a distributed antenna system (DAS)?

A distributed antenna system (DAS) is a wired network that moves cellular signals through a building using indoor antennas. It doesn’t create a signal on its own. Instead, it pulls in a signal from outside—usually from a nearby cell tower—and rebroadcasts that signal across indoor spaces. The goal is to fill in dead zones where phones and mobile devices lose connection.

Each antenna is connected by coaxial or fiber cabling to a central unit that manages the signal as part of the building’s larger network infrastructure. This makes DAS different from Wi-Fi, which uses routers and access points that generate a signal locally.

DAS is usually found in large or complex buildings where an outdoor signal can’t reach the interior. This includes stadiums, hospitals, hotels, airports, and high-rise offices. It’s also used in some warehouses and campuses.

To work properly, a DAS often needs permission and support from wireless carriers. That adds time, complexity, and cost. It also makes the system harder to manage, especially if multiple carriers are involved.

DAS solves real signal problems, but the setup is rigid and slow to deploy. Many businesses are now looking for faster and more flexible ways to get indoor cellular coverage—without depending on outside networks.

Why DAS exists: Solving indoor cellular signal problems

Cellular signal often drops indoors because building materials block or weaken it. Concrete, steel beams, low-emissivity glass, and even drywall can absorb or reflect radio waves. The result is poor reception, slow data, or no service at all—even in areas with strong outdoor coverage.

This becomes a major issue in buildings where people rely on mobile devices to work, communicate, or access apps. Offices, hospitals, stadiums, and warehouses all face this problem. The deeper you go into the structure—like basements, elevators, or interior rooms—the worse it gets.

DAS was built to address that gap. It captures signal from a tower or base station outside the building, boosts it, and redistributes it inside using cables and antennas. The antennas are placed in strategic spots to push the cellular signal into areas where it wouldn’t normally reach.

In many older buildings, DAS was the only reliable way to get an indoor signal across multiple floors or dense walls. But the system is built on a hardwired layout. That makes it slow to install and hard to update, especially when spaces are remodeled or teams grow.

How does a DAS improve cellular signal?

A DAS enhances coverage by taking outdoor signal and physically extending it into indoor areas. The system begins by pulling in an existing cell signal from outside the building, typically using a rooftop antenna. That signal is passed through a central amplifier, then routed over cables to multiple antennas inside. 

Each antenna rebroadcasts the signal to nearby areas, creating coverage zones throughout the space.

Signal strength depends on how well each part of the system is placed and tuned. Cable length, antenna type, and building layout all affect how far the signal travels and how reliable it stays under the load.

DAS acts like a relay system—it repeats what’s already there, but doesn’t add capacity or generate new bandwidth. Any limits in the original signal, such as tower congestion or single-carrier availability, are passed along to users inside. That makes performance dependent not just on building design, but on the quality of the source signal itself.

How a DAS system works

DAS operates through a chain of hardware components that collect, boost, and distribute cellular signal across interior spaces.

Signal source

Every DAS needs a starting point for signal. That usually comes from an outdoor cellular tower, captured using a donor antenna mounted on the roof. In some setups, the system connects directly to a carrier’s base station through a dedicated fiber line. Either method depends on carrier cooperation and access to their network.

Amplifier or repeater

Once the signal is received, a bi-directional amplifier strengthens it before passing it into the building. The amplifier handles both uplink and downlink traffic, allowing devices inside to communicate with the tower and vice versa. Signal quality is limited by what the amplifier receives, so the location and alignment of the donor antenna matter.

Distribution cabling

Signal travels from the amplifier through a network of coaxial or fiber optic cables. Coax is used for shorter runs or simpler layouts, while fiber is chosen for long distances or high-density environments. Cable installation often requires cutting into ceilings, drilling through walls, and working around fire codes and building regulations.

Indoor antennas

Each antenna in the system broadcasts the amplified signal to users nearby. Omni-directional antennas spread the signal in all directions, covering open areas. Directional antennas focus the signal into hallways, stairwells, or rooms with thick walls.

Placement is permanent after installation and requires professional tuning to avoid signal overlap or coverage holes.

What types of buildings still use DAS?

DAS is still used in buildings that need strong cell service but haven’t upgraded to newer systems.

Stadiums and arenas

Large venues with big crowds often still run on DAS. Many systems were installed years ago. Some cities also require them to support emergency radios used by first responders.

Hospitals and medical buildings

Thick walls, long hallways, and basement rooms make it hard for mobile signals to reach into hospitals. DAS was often added to improve coverage in operating rooms, labs, and elevators. Some systems also support fire and ambulance radios.

Hotels and convention centers

Big hotels and event spaces may still use DAS to help guests stay connected. Older buildings with garages or large conference halls often depend on these systems to reduce dead zones.

Warehouses and factories

Metal racks, concrete walls, and open floor plans block signals in industrial buildings. Some warehouses still use DAS to support barcode scanners and handheld devices. The systems work, but don’t adjust easily when the layout changes.

Office parks and older buildings

Older offices that were wired for DAS when they were built often still use it. Even if the building’s use has changed, the antennas stay in place. That can lead to bad coverage in new work areas, and fixing it usually requires more cables, permits, and outside help.

What you actually get with in-building DAS

DAS can help improve indoor cellular coverage, but the gains depend on how well the system is planned, installed, and maintained. Even when it works, results vary by carrier and building layout.

Coverage in hard-to-reach areas

A well-tuned DAS can improve signal in spaces where towers fall short—like basements, stairwells, or windowless rooms. Coverage depends on antenna placement and the strength of the outside signal source. Small changes to the layout, like adding walls or moving workstations, can reduce its effectiveness over time.

Better signal for some users

DAS can raise signal bars and cut down on dropped calls in specific zones. That doesn’t mean all users get the same results. Some carriers may perform better than others if the system wasn’t set up to support every network. Data speeds can still lag if the source signal is weak or congested.

Emergency radio coverage when required

Some cities require separate public safety DAS systems that support police, fire, or ambulance radios. These follow different rules and frequencies than standard cell networks. Installing one doesn’t guarantee compliance with both use cases—it usually means two parallel systems with separate hardware and testing.

DAS may solve basic coverage needs, but it’s not built for flexibility or easy upgrades. Ongoing support also adds complexity, since most DAS systems require careful lifecycle management to stay aligned with operational changes and technology updates.

Key components of a cellular DAS

DAS relies on physical hardware that must be designed around a building’s layout. Once installed, the system is hard to change without major work.

Donor antenna

Mounted on the roof or a high point, this antenna pulls in signal from a nearby cell tower. The quality of that outside signal affects how well the system works inside. Bad weather or tower congestion can lower performance.

Bi-directional amplifier (BDA)

The BDA strengthens the signal so that it can travel through cables and reach indoor antennas. It also handles outgoing traffic, allowing phones inside the building to send signals back to the tower. It cannot improve the original signal’s quality—only pass it along with more power.

Coaxial or fiber cabling

Cables run from the amplifier to the indoor antennas. Coaxial cables are cheaper but lose signal over long distances. Fiber costs more and takes longer to install, especially in buildings with concrete walls or limited conduit space. Both require careful planning and clean routing to avoid signal loss.

Indoor antennas

Each antenna rebroadcasts the signal inside the building. Their placement must be mapped out in advance. Too few antennas lead to gaps; too many create interference. Changing locations after installation often means opening walls or ceilings.

Optional base station

Some high-end DAS setups skip the donor antenna and instead connect directly to a carrier’s network using a base station. That link gives more control over signal quality but requires special hardware, licensing, and backhaul. It also locks the system to that carrier unless more base stations are added.

Now that we’ve covered how a DAS system works, let’s look at how it compares to other options in the following chart:

DAS vs. small cells vs. signal boosters

When small cells or boosters are viable

Smaller buildings with light mobile use often don’t need a full DAS or managed solution.

Offices under 20,000 square feet can often get by with a single small cell or signal booster. These setups work well in private clinics, startup spaces, or law offices where one carrier dominates and mobile traffic is low.

Retail stores, coffee shops, and studios also use boosters to fix dead zones near checkout counters or back rooms. Boosters are easy to install and don’t require network planning, but they only work with one carrier at a time.

Neither option is built to scale. When more users, floors, or carriers are added, performance drops. Small cells and boosters are best when needs are limited, fixed, and unlikely to change.

When to consider something more adaptive like Meter

Traditional DAS can take months to install. That delay creates problems for businesses growing fast, rearranging space, or moving into new buildings.

Meter Cellular offers a faster way to get a reliable indoor signal—without waiting on carriers or building a private network. We use neutral-host CBRS technology to bring LTE and 5G indoors. That means your team gets strong mobile coverage using the plans they already have.

No SIM management. No direct carrier coordination. No fiber from the tower.

Meter installs quickly and adapts to layout changes or tenant turnover. Coverage scales without rewiring or permits. It’s a practical fit for offices, warehouses, and multi-tenant spaces where network needs shift over time.

Choosing between DAS and newer models

Use the checklist below to decide what kind of cellular coverage fits your space:

• Buildings over 100,000 square feet may need more than basic coverage.
• More than 50 mobile users usually require a scalable solution.
• Multiple carriers add complexity to DAS but not to Meter.
• DAS takes months to install; Meter is ready in weeks.
• DAS can’t adjust easily when your layout or needs change.

Why DAS often falls short in practice

DAS solves some coverage problems, but the system comes with limits that many businesses can’t ignore.

High cost to get started

Planning a DAS involves site surveys, design work, and specialized hardware. Costs rise quickly when cabling, labor, and carrier-specific gear are included.

Dependence on outside providers

Each wireless carrier must approve access to their network. That means working through multiple processes, all on separate timelines.

Long delays before activation

Permits, inspections, and fire code rules often slow down DAS installs. It’s common for projects to take six months or longer before going live.

Difficult to change later

Once a DAS is installed, updates aren’t simple. Moving antennas or adding coverage usually means construction, downtime, and more outside help.

Meter: Built to replace DAS, not patch it

Meter Cellular gives businesses a way to solve indoor signal problems without going through the slow and expensive steps that DAS requires.

Our service uses CBRS—an enterprise-grade wireless band approved for indoor LTE and 5G. We don’t rely on carrier towers or contracts. You keep your team’s existing phone plans, and we handle the rest.

Everything is fully managed by Meter. There’s no SIM provisioning, no carrier coordination, and no outside engineers needed to keep it running.

What you get with Meter instead:

• Installation happens in weeks, not months
• LTE and 5G coverage without SIM cards
• One monthly subscription with hardware and support included
• Works with every major mobile carrier
• Easy fit for COPE and MDM policies
• No need to rebuild your existing network or IT setup

It’s a better option for teams that move fast, scale often, or want mobile coverage that just works—without vendor lock-in.

Frequently asked questions

Is Meter Cellular a DAS?

No, it is not. Meter uses CBRS to create indoor LTE and 5G coverage without rebroadcasting carrier signal.

Can a DAS support all carriers?

Yes, but only if each carrier agrees to participate. That process often adds delays and complexity.

What buildings still use DAS?

Large venues like airports and hospitals still run older DAS setups. Many are outdated and difficult to modify.

What’s faster to install: DAS or Meter?

Meter installs in a matter of weeks. DAS can take several months due to approvals, cabling, and coordination.

Are there better options than DAS?

Yes, especially for dynamic workspaces. Meter provides simpler deployment and easier scaling without long-term vendor lock-in.

Rethink indoor cellular with Meter

We’ve shown how DAS can be slow, expensive, and hard to update. Meter Cellular was built to solve the same problem—without the overhead.

No contracts with carriers. No SIM cards to manage. No complex installs or long timelines. Just fast, reliable LTE and 5G using CBRS—ready for offices, warehouses, and growing teams.

See how Meter delivers modern indoor coverage without relying on legacy infrastructure.

Features you can expect from Cellular:

• Simplified deployment: Meter handles everything from site surveys to installation and activation.
• Quick installation: The process is much faster than traditional DAS, taking just 6 to 8 weeks.
• Reliable coverage: Neutral-host CBRS gives strong signals and removes dead zones for steady, carrier-grade service.
• Multi-carrier support: One setup works with major carriers, keeping employees and visitors connected.
• Dashboard monitoring: The upcoming Meter dashboard integration, planned for Q1-Q2 next year, will display cellular APs, their status, and connected devices
• Compliance and security: The system supports E911 compliance for accurate emergency service access.

Adding Cellular to your vertically integrated network plan or purchasing it separately means strong, high-quality indoor cell coverage that grows with your business. Contact Meter today to learn more.