Case Study / Emergency Services & Institutional Facilities
Challenge
The National Ambulance Service Headquarters in Kilkenny faced persistent challenges with indoor mobile phone signals, compromising critical emergency operations. Staff frequently experienced dropped calls, slow data transfer, and inconsistent LTE 4G/5G coverage across both administrative and operational buildings. Measured indoor signal levels ranged from -90 dBm to -120 dBm, well below acceptable thresholds for reliable voice and data communications.
These connectivity limitations posed operational risks, disrupting coordination between emergency personnel, administrative staff, and SIM-enabled devices vital to mission-critical tasks. Previous solutions, including individual boosters or reliance on carrier signal strength, failed to deliver comprehensive coverage. Recognising the potential impact on emergency readiness and day-to-day operations, the National Ambulance Service engaged WaveBoosters Ireland for a permanent, fully compliant, and professional solution.
Solution
WaveBoosters Ireland conducted a detailed site survey, confirming poor indoor reception and validating the potential for a wideband boosting system. The proposed solution was designed to provide robust coverage for all major Irish networks — Vodafone, Three, and Eir Mobile — across 2G, 3G, LTE 4G, and 5G frequency bands.
Key components of the deployment included:
- High-Capacity Amplifiers: Two main amplifiers installed strategically — one on the first floor of the administrative building comms room and another in the water tank room of the secondary building. Each amplifier supports nine or more indoor antennas, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Distribution Antenna System (DAS): A passive network distributing amplified signals across 18+ indoor antennas, covering all critical areas.
- Indoor Omni and Panel Antennas: Discreetly positioned in high-traffic and previously weak-signal zones, including ceiling-mounted units for minimal visual disruption.
- Rooftop External Antennas: Securely mounted to capture optimal signal from surrounding masts and feed the DAS.
The system was fully compliant with COMREG regulations and engineered to deliver immediate improvements while future-proofing the facility for evolving mobile technologies.
Installation
The installation in June 2025 followed strict safety and engineering standards. Rooftop donor antennas were aligned for optimal line-of-sight to local cell towers. Coaxial feeds were routed through secure risers and cable trays to minimise operational disruption. Amplifiers were tuned on-site to avoid oscillation and ensure maximum signal amplification. Indoor antennas were positioned based on propagation analysis to provide comprehensive coverage while remaining visually discreet.
The project proceeded efficiently, with no operational setbacks, completing on schedule and to a high professional standard.
Results
Post-installation verification demonstrated a transformative improvement in indoor connectivity across both buildings. Measured signal levels improved from prior weak readings of -90 dBm to -120 dBm to consistently strong levels between -61 dBm and -85 dBm across Vodafone, Three, and Eir Mobile. Specific outcomes included:
- Voice and SMS: Optimised across 2G and 3G networks.
- Data Performance: Significant LTE 4G and 5G improvements, particularly across 800/1800 MHz bands, resulting in faster upload and download speeds.
- Coverage Reliability: Over 95% of the facility now enjoys strong and consistent signal levels.
Signal Improvement Summary:
- Vodafone: -115 dBm to -120 dBm improved to -63 dBm to -85 dBm
- Three: -94 dBm to -118 dBm improved to -61 dBm to -81 dBm
- Eir Mobile: -116 dBm to -106 dBm improved to -62 dBm to -79 dBm
Client Satisfaction and Reliability
WaveBoosters Ireland’s deployment provided the National Ambulance Service HQ with a reliable, technically robust communication infrastructure. Staff now benefit from uninterrupted voice calls, high-speed data transfer, and seamless operation of SIM-enabled devices, directly supporting emergency readiness and operational efficiency. All installed equipment is covered under warranty, with optional health checks and rapid call-out support ensuring long-term reliability.
The project highlights WaveBoosters Ireland’s capacity to deliver high-standard, regulatory-compliant, and future-ready solutions tailored to institutional environments.
Contact
For further inquiries on custom signal booster solutions, contact WaveBoosters Ireland at +353 1 442 8283, WhatsApp 089 963 7584, or email [email protected].
