Mobile coverage in office buildings is considered insufficient and uneven by employees, who use digital tools intensively. These are the findings of the "Smartphone and mobile coverage in the office" survey carried out by OpinionWay for TDF.
The survey shows that digital uses and new services are inherent to the professional world. Very high-speed mobile connectivity is at the heart of employees' daily expectations.
To meet these constraints and the needs of employees and businesses, TDF is deploying antenna systems to cover spaces inside buildings. These Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) pool the 4G-5G services of the four cell phone operators.
The smartphone, a tool at the heart of the habits of employees in large offices...
Cell phones are a popular business tool. 74% of employees are equipped with business mobiles. In the office, the phone is a real work and communication tool for e-mails (81%), business and personal calls and text messages (79% and 77%) and video calls (57%). For employees in large offices, it also enables them to combine work and personal life: social networks (61%), GPS applications (61%), connection sharing (52%), audio and video streaming applications (47%). In addition, the smartphone enables users to benefit from building services such as access to secure company services (48%), building services such as the RIE or concierge service (47%) and mobile payment (47%).
Who are dissatisfied with the quality of mobile coverage on their premises...
At a time when office buildings are becoming increasingly service-oriented, and more than three-quarters of employees consider that a lack of mobile coverage can impact their productivity or well-being, 55% of them say that 4G-5G mobile coverage is insufficient. For 75% of employees in large offices, it is the responsibility of the company or building owner to ensure good mobile coverage.
The indoor mobile coverage solution
These problems of 4G-5G coverage can be explained by the impermeable nature of the materials used in the construction of buildings that comply with environmental construction standards. These growing difficulties therefore have a direct impact on the quality of the workspace. Mobile coverage inside buildings or confined spaces such as tunnels and subways is a growing expectation among users. As a neutral operator, TDF intervenes right from the design phase of buildings to integrate antennas into office spaces. In this way, it provides a telecoms infrastructure capable of delivering high-quality mobile broadband services and optimal continuity of service throughout the premises.
Rémi Kaeppelin, Director of Indoor at TDF: " This study proves that access to a 4G-5G mobile network on the premises of large companies is not a question of comfort for employees, but a performance issue. At TDF, we have developed a multi-operator solution using DAS (Distributed Antenna System) technology to enable continuity of coverage of cell phone operators' networks. "
Methodology :
Survey conducted from July 21 to 27, 2023, with a sample of 587 office employees working in buildings with at least three floors, drawn from a representative sample of 1,933 French employees. This sample was questioned by Internet questionnaire.
To obtain the full study, please contact the TDF press department.