P/01 · IN-BUILDING DAS
In-building DAS that fixes coverage and capacity in Ghana's busiest buildings.
// What it is
One neutral host, multiple operators.
An In-Building Solution (IBS) or Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a network of small antennas installed throughout a building, connected back to a central head-end. The signal is distributed evenly so every floor, basement car park and conference room has reliable cellular coverage and capacity — without dead zones, dropped calls or slow data. Because the system is shared, all four Ghana MNOs (MTN, AirtelTigo, Telecel, Surfline) can use the same physical infrastructure simultaneously.
// Who it's for
Built for these infrastructure users.
- Airports and transport hubs
- Shopping malls and retail complexes
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Stadiums and event venues
- Grade-A office towers and business parks
- Hotels and hospitality venues
- Underground car parks and transit corridors
// How it works
The shared-infrastructure model explained.
A single IBS/DAS installation serves multiple mobile operators simultaneously. Each operator connects to the system's head-end and their traffic is kept separate. Building owners pay once for infrastructure; operators pay a recurring colocation fee; and users on any network experience consistent indoor coverage. African Towers finances and maintains the system — building owners and operators face zero capital outlay.
// Use cases
Representative deployments.
- Kotoka International Airport — seamless 4G for arriving passengers
- Hospital critical areas — reliable coverage in wards, theatres and A&E
- Shopping mall concourses — high-capacity data for peak-hour retail
- Stadium bowl and concourse — 30 000+ devices simultaneously on match day
- Office tower — board rooms, car parks and lift lobbies with full signal
Frequently asked questions
- What is an in-building distributed antenna system (DAS)?
- A DAS is a network of small-format antennas distributed throughout a building and connected to a shared head-end unit. Rather than relying on outdoor macro cell signals to penetrate walls and floors, a DAS radiates coverage from inside the building itself — eliminating dead zones and delivering consistent data capacity on every floor.
- Can multiple operators share one DAS installation?
- Yes. African Towers operates on a neutral-host model: one set of passive infrastructure, multiple active operators. Each operator connects their own radio equipment to the shared DAS; their traffic is completely separate, and the building gets multi-network coverage from a single cable plant.
- What types of buildings are suitable for IBS/DAS?
- Any large or multi-storey building with in-building coverage or capacity challenges is a candidate — airports, malls, hospitals, stadiums, hotels, office towers and underground spaces. The minimum practical size is typically 10 000 m², though smaller venues with high user density (e.g. conference centres) also qualify.
- Do I need to fund the installation as a building owner?
- No. African Towers finances and owns the DAS infrastructure. Building owners provide access and modest power; operators pay monthly colocation fees. There is no capital cost to the building owner or to the operators.
- How long does an IBS deployment take?
- Design, permitting and installation for a typical 20 000–50 000 m² building takes 8–14 weeks from site survey to live. Larger or more complex buildings (airports, multi-building campuses) take 16–24 weeks.
// Related services