Maintain market competitiveness as macro builds give way to DAS deployments
The next major hurdle for carriers is providing the LTE coverage customers expect everywhere, indoors and outdoors. As the macro layer reaches build-out, service providers are turning attention to in-building wireless deployments.
Fluctuations in capacity based on user peaks, along with challenging construction conditions, can make in-building deployments, largely distributed antenna systems (DASs), time consuming and costly. But, by providing indoor connectivity, carriers can tap into a lucrative client base of venue owners—be it stadium, hotel, enterprise or college campuses—that are compelled to offer the technology smartphone users demand.
To put that in terms of dollars, one prominent market research firm projects DAS spending to grow from $4.83 billion in 2015 to a staggering $16.71 billion in 2020; that represents a compound annual growth rate of 28.1%.
With that much money at stake, it’s imperative for field technicians and their employers to have the technical skills and certifications to take part in the next wave of wireless.
“Technicians need training that is very specific to the growing number of DAS deployments,” Anritsu Customer Training Programs Manager Shawn Kelly told RCR Wireless News. “We’re seeing more and more DAS installers in our traditional line sweep and PIM classes, so we developed a training program that is entirely focused on DAS installers who often need to be certified to bid for projects and submit official closeout packages to get paid. Being DAS certified by Anritsu will help installers win contracts because highly-trained technicians have the skills to get the job down right the first time.”
To equip contractors with the skills they need to keep up with industry movements, Anritsu has developed an intensive, instructor-led training program focused on both active and passive DAS installers.
The active DAS course is an in-depth three days that covers theory and practical skills needed to assemble, install and test, resulting in an industry certification. Attendees will be guided by a 15-year DAS veteran and use Anritsu’s Access Master on a Corning 1 active DAS simulation; 60% of the class is hands-on and covers fiber splicing and other important skills.
The passive DAS certification program covers DAS components, functions and performance ranges using an Anritsu Site Master S331L and a PIM Master MW82119B. Attendees will learn how to test and troubleshoot components, measure cable length, learn antenna placements and more, resulting in a practical exam.
“Anritsu has a 15-plus-year history as the gold standard in certified, instructor-led training,” Kelly said. “We’ve built on our excellent reputation for reliable test equipment to offer the support our customers need to ensure their techs are ready for the evolving demands of the telecom industry. These new DAS courses are perfectly tailored for indoor installers and are less expensive than taking line sweep and PIM training together. This is just what our customers were asking for and this is where the industry is headed.”
Click here to learn more about Anritsu’s various certification programs, which go beyond active and passive DAS to include line sweeping, PIM testing, RF and microwave interference analysis and other skills to make you stand out in the workforce.
