The Biggest System Integrator Pet Peeves for Installing Cellular Systems, And How to Solve Them
- marketing491822
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
From unnecessary truck rolls to reusing installed fiber, the perils of enterprise cellular installations are many.
Systems integrators (SIs) are the unsung heroes of in-building wireless deployments, especially when it comes to complex installations that combine public safety and commercial cellular coverage. They translate radio frequency (RF) design into real-world functionality, often under tight timelines, rigid code requirements, and legacy infrastructure constraints—all the while facing friction that could easily be avoided with smarter equipment design and better collaboration from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Here are several long-standing pain points I continue to hear from integrators in the field, and the ways they should be addressed.
Excessive cabling and cluttered installations
One of the most frequent SI complaints is the sheer volume of cabling required to install separate public safety and commercial wireless systems. Traditional approaches demand independent pathways, enclosures, and cabling for each system, which often doubles the labor, material, and space required. This can result in congested telecom rooms, messy cable trays, and long-term maintenance nightmares.
Fortunately, more authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) are allowing converged solutions which effectively eliminate this issue. Converged systems leverage a shared physical infrastructure where both the Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) designed for public safety needs, and commercial Distributed Antenna System (DAS) components can coexist within the same enclosures, power supplies, and sometimes even share coaxial or fiber backhaul where the design allows.
This system architecture significantly reduces installation time and cost while simplifying ongoing service. Converged solutions are particularly valuable in high-rise and campus environments where space, cost, and schedule are all tight. More importantly, convergence allows SIs to apply a unified design methodology to ensure a more compact and scalable system that’s easier to manage long-term.
Constantly running out of rack space for upgrades
Another major point of frustration arises when SIs return to a site for system upgrades, only to find there's no available rack space left. This is especially common in buildings that initially deployed minimal coverage and later needed expansion due to increased demand, building code changes, or tenant expectations. Over time, ad hoc additions start to clutter racks with mismatched hardware, unplanned power draws, and inefficient layouts.
The industry is responding to this by emphasizing hardware that is smaller, modular, and built with future expansion in mind. OEMs are now designing components such as multi-band point of interface (POI) cards, high-density remote units, and stackable modules with more inputs that allow SIs to add or reconfigure coverage zones without re-architecting the entire DAS headend. These systems are easier to mount on walls or inside smaller telecom closets, which is particularly valuable in older buildings or retrofit projects with space constraints. By deploying modular systems from the outset, integrators can preserve rack real estate and improve airflow, cable management, and future serviceability.
Dealing with loss and unreliability in legacy fiber infrastructure
Many building owners expect SIs to reuse existing fiber pathways, and fibers themselves, to cut costs, especially in older buildings or multi-structure campuses. However, older fiber installations—particularly those laid in the 1980s and 1990s—often present significant challenges. These legacy fibers typically lack modern connector standards, have limited strand counts, and include multiple intermediate splice points that introduce incremental signal loss. For instance, it’s common to find pathways that require jumping from Building A to Building B with splices at the wall, then again inside the main or intermediate distribution frame. Each of these connections, even when done professionally, can add decibel-level loss that degrades the overall system performance.
To help integrators mitigate this, OEMs can provide optical expansion units (OEUs) that include built-in amplification, attenuation management, and signal balancing capabilities. These components are designed to preserve signal integrity across fragmented or lower-quality fiber. By compensating for optical degradation in legacy pathways, OEUs extend the usable life of the infrastructure and reduce the need for full replacement. When combined with link budgeting tools and pre-deployment loss modeling, integrators can install with more confidence and avoid troubleshooting unexpected attenuation after commissioning.
Truck rolls for every alarm and minor fault
While some AHJs mandate remote monitoring for ERCES systems, enforcement is often inconsistent. To reduce installation costs, many building owners opt out of these monitoring packages. As a result, SIs are routinely called back to installation sites for alarm notifications, many of which turn out to be low-priority issues or even false positives. This is an operational headache for SIs because it consumes valuable time and resources from new deployments or other installations.
Modern systems should include embedded remote monitoring functionality, preferably via Simple Network Management Protocol, version 3 (SNMPv3), which adds secure, user-friendly communications between the equipment and the integrator’s network operations center. This allows integrators to remotely monitor system health, identify alarm severity, and diagnose problems in real time, without needing to deploy a technician. Having this visibility means integrators can prioritize critical alerts, reduce unnecessary truck rolls, and respond faster to actual system failures. OEMs that support SNMPv3 are also better aligned with IT and building management systems, which helps futureproof the system and integrate more seamlessly with smart building infrastructure.
Alarm configuration is ambiguous and inconsistent
When installing public safety systems, SIs must meet strict alarm requirements set forth by fire and building codes. These typically include supervisory alarms, system faults, battery status, and signal strength degradation. While the code outlines which alarms must be monitored, it rarely provides practical guidance on how to configure the wiring, assign labels, or interface the system with third-party alarm boxes or building automation systems. This lack of standardization leads to confusion, delays during inspections, and sometimes failed AHJ sign-offs.
To address this, OEMs can simplify installation by including clearly labeled alarm terminals on their systems. Color-coded alarm cables and labeled connectors eliminate guesswork during field installation. More advanced systems may offer web-based configuration tools that allow installers to customize alarm thresholds and test relay outputs without needing proprietary software. By standardizing alarm connectivity and offering clear documentation, OEMs empower integrators to complete projects faster and with fewer compliance headaches.
In conclusion, when OEMs prioritize simplicity, flexibility, and integration readiness, they help reduce friction in the field and build lasting trust with the people responsible for deploying their products. By addressing these persistent pet peeves, OEMs can enable cleaner installs, faster commissioning, and a better experience for building owners, installers, code officials, and building inspectors alike.
