Caisse d'Epargne Hauts-de-France, a member of the BPCE group, has chosen TDF to deploy and operate the indoor antenna infrastructure throughout the ShAKe building, a new tertiary ecosystem located in the heart of the Euralille business district.
Since its opening, the new building has benefited from optimum multi-operator (Bouygues Telecom, Free and SFR) 4G-5G indoor mobile coverage, and offers its occupants top-quality broadband connectivity, enabling them to take full advantage of digital services on their mobiles and other terminals.
Connectivity, a major asset for this new landmark building
At a height of 56 metres, the ShAKe building is the latest addition to the skyline of France's third-largest business district. This tertiary ecosystem in the heart of Euralille comprises over 24,200m² of office space (including 13,500m² dedicated to the headquarters of Caisse d'Epargne Hauts-de-France), 3,500m² of coworking space, two retail premises, an apartment hotel, a fitness area and a panoramic restaurant.
In order to anticipate the problem of indoor mobile coverage, inherent in high environmental performance structures, Groupe BPCE wanted to implement a suitable technical solution right from the design stage. To this end, Groupe BPCE called on TDF, a neutral infrastructure operator, to deploy a turnkey solution for indoor mobile coverage, from deployment to connection with cell phone operators.
Right from the design phase, TDF was involved in harmoniously integrating a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) into the various spaces. This DAS, comprising 136 indoor antennas, enables cell phone operators to cover all thirteen floors and two basements. It thus provides a telecoms infrastructure capable of delivering high quality mobile broadband service and optimum continuity of service throughout the building.
TDF's "BTS Hotel", an innovative and more responsible technical solution
TDF has implemented an innovative and optimized technical solution by relocating the operators' technical bays to its radio tower in Villeneuve d'Ascq. This solution, known as "BTS Hôtel" (BTS stands for Base Transceiver Station), limits energy consumption and the presence of equipment within the office building, while facilitating the deployment and operation of the solution by TDF.
Located less than five kilometers from ShAKe, the TDF tower has been specially fitted out for the needs of the project. This delocalized technical architecture will also benefit other nearby buildings and living spaces, such as the Lille Europe train station, which will see its mobile coverage improved in the coming months. This solution will make it possible to pool access to mobile connectivity services for several DAS-equipped sites, and to meet the needs of all types of buildings under construction or renovation within a ten-kilometer radius of the tower.
Bruno Blondel, Director of Property Management at Caisse d'Epargne Hauts-de-France comments: "For this innovative, multi-occupant 33,500 m² project, it was essential to guarantee perfect indoor GSM connectivity for the comfort and efficiency of our tenants, visitors and customers. TDF perfectly met our expectations by offering us this innovative, shared and cost-effective service. We are particularly proud to have initiated this infrastructure to enable other companies to access these new technologies easily, quickly and at a reduced cost, as required by high environmental quality buildings. That's what being useful is all about.
Jean-Louis Mounier, Co-Managing Director of TDF's TowerCo BU, comments: "We are particularly proud to be developing this new shared indoor connectivity service in the heart of the city of Lille, alongside a major player such as the Caisse d'Epargne Hauts-de-France. This global solution has been designed to optimize costs, floor space, energy consumption and equipment utilization, while combining operational simplicity with ease of use. It is in line with our strategy of developing new infrastructures to expand digital communications services throughout France".
