DAS Networks

A DAS (Distributed Antenna System) is a network of antenna nodes spread through a building or campus to extend mobile signal coverage in areas where outdoor cell towers cannot reliably penetrate. Apex Communication Technologies designs and installs DAS networks for commercial buildings, hospitals, universities, stadiums, and other large structures across Adelaide and South Australia.

DAS networks are typically needed when:

• A building’s structure blocks outdoor mobile signal
• A facility requires reliable coverage for a specific carrier or set of carriers
• Emergency services need in-building radio coverage (P25 or ESN)
• A venue or campus requires multi-carrier mobile coverage for users

Apex Communication Technologies has installed DAS networks for commercial and government clients in Adelaide and across South Australia. Call 08 8374 4500 to discuss whether a DAS installation suits a specific building or campus.

DAS installation cost in Adelaide depends on the building size and structure, number of antenna nodes, cable length, equipment room requirements, carrier agreements, and whether the system is passive or active. A small passive DAS for a single carrier in a medium-sized building will cost substantially less than an active multi-carrier system for a large hospital complex.

DAS cost factors:

• Passive versus active system design
• Number of floors and antenna nodes
• Cable length and distribution equipment
• Head-end equipment room requirements
• Number of carriers being supported
• Testing and carrier acceptance process

Apex-confirmed cost ranges for DAS installation in Adelaide:

• Small DAS installation: $20,000–$50,000
• Medium commercial DAS: $50,000–$150,000
• Large or multi-carrier DAS: $150,000–$500,000+

Contact Apex at 08 8374 4500 or through apexcomms.com.au for a building-specific assessment.

Apex Communication Technologies installs both passive DAS and active DAS systems, depending on the building’s requirements, the carriers being supported, and the signal distribution needs. The system type is determined during the design phase, taking into account the building’s structure, materials, and coverage goals.

Passive DAS uses coaxial cable and passive splitter components to distribute signal from a donor antenna. It has a lower cost for smaller buildings but has limitations on signal strength and distance.

Active DAS uses fibre and active equipment to distribute a digital signal to remote antenna units. It suits large buildings, multi-carrier requirements, and sites where precise coverage control matters.

Apex can assist with DAS design specification alongside installation. Call 08 8374 4500 to arrange an assessment.

Buildings that most benefit from DAS installation are large, heavily constructed, or below-grade structures where outdoor mobile signal cannot reliably penetrate. Hospitals, high-rise commercial buildings, shopping centres, underground car parks, and stadiums are among the most common DAS installation sites in Adelaide and across Australia.

Building types that typically need DAS:

1. Hospitals and healthcare campuses (where reliable mobile coverage is a safety requirement)
2. High-rise commercial and residential towers
3. Shopping centres and retail complexes
4. Underground car parks
5. Stadiums and large entertainment venues
6. University and education campuses
7. Hotels and resorts
8. Data centres

Apex Communication Technologies has installed DAS networks for buildings in these categories. Call 08 8374 4500 to discuss whether your facility needs a coverage assessment.

DAS installation timelines vary by system complexity. A small passive DAS in a single-level building might be completed in a few days. A large active DAS spanning multiple floors of a hospital or commercial tower, requiring carrier coordination and formal acceptance testing, is a multi-week project.

General DAS installation timelines:

• Small passive DAS (single-level or small building): 2 to 5 days
• Medium passive or active DAS (multi-level office or retail): 2 to 6 weeks
• Large active multi-carrier DAS (hospital, stadium, tower): 4 to 16 weeks depending on scope and carrier acceptance

Apex Communication Technologies will provide a project-specific timeline estimate during the scoping process. Call 08 8374 4500 to arrange a building assessment.

Yes. Apex Communication Technologies installs in-building DAS systems for emergency services radio coverage, including TETRA, P25, and public safety LTE systems. In-building emergency services coverage is increasingly a code requirement in Australian states, and many building owners face compliance obligations to maintain it.

Emergency services DAS requirements typically involve:

• Coverage requirements set by the relevant state emergency services authority
• Specific equipment standards for emergency radio systems
• Integration with building management systems
• Annual testing and compliance certification

Compliance requirements vary by state and building type. Contact Apex at 08 8374 4500 to discuss the requirements for a specific building or jurisdiction.

Apex Communication Technologies can discuss post-installation maintenance arrangements for DAS systems as part of the project scope. DAS systems require periodic inspection and testing to maintain coverage performance and compliance with any carrier or regulatory requirements. Discuss maintenance and service level requirements with the Apex team at the project scoping stage. Call 08 8374 4500, email admin@apexcomms.com.au, or contact the team through apexcomms.com.au.

Yes. Multi-carrier DAS installations allow multiple telecommunications carriers to share a single antenna network in a building, with each carrier’s signal managed separately through the head-end equipment. This is the standard approach for commercial buildings, hospitals, and venues where tenants or visitors use different mobile networks.

Multi-carrier DAS involves:

• Individual carrier agreements for use of the system
• Head-end equipment configured for each carrier’s frequency bands
• Separate path management for 4G, 5G, and legacy bands
• Carrier acceptance testing by each network

Apex Communication Technologies can manage the carrier coordination process alongside system installation. Contact Apex at 08 8374 4500 to discuss a multi-carrier DAS project.