5G Performance in Tall Buildings: High-Rise Signal Challenges

Key Takeaways

1. The Shanghai Tower leads in 5G coverage with strong signal strength (-71.04 dBm) due to advanced infrastructure like small cells and DAS.
2. The Shard has the weakest 5G signal (-96.69 dBm), suffering from poor penetration due to its glass structure.
3. Signal strength tends to vary less in taller buildings like Burj Khalifa and Empire State Building compared to others like Petronas Twin Towers, where it drops significantly with height.
4. Building materials, especially glass, concrete, and steel, pose major challenges for 5G signal penetration, leading to dead zones in skyscrapers.
5. Solutions like small cells, DAS, and upgraded indoor networks are essential for improving 5G coverage in high-rise buildings.

A new research by Ookla’s Cell Analytics™ has investigated the indoor 5G coverage in nine renowned skyscrapers around the globe. Due to their height and materials used in construction, these tall buildings create challenges for telecom networks. The study focused on measuring signal strength (RSRP) and quality (RSRQ) to assess the performance of 5G.

Best Performing Skyscrapers

Leading the pack is the Shanghai Tower in China, which boasts an RSRP of -71.04 dBm, indicating strong signal strength. The building is well-equipped with small cells and a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that ensures reliable connectivity. Close behind is the Burj Khalifa in the UAE, showing an RSRP of -85.53 dBm and RSRQ of -11.07 dB, benefiting from the advanced 5G infrastructure in Dubai. The Empire State Building in the USA also ranks high with an RSRP of -83.19 dBm and RSRQ of -11.95 dB, thanks to its recent upgrades in telecom infrastructure.

Skyscrapers with Weaker 5G Coverage

On the flip side, The Shard in the UK has the weakest 5G signal, with an RSRP recorded at -96.69 dBm, and the bottom 10% RSRP hitting -113 dBm, which results in poor coverage in certain spots. Its extensive glass structure greatly hinders signal penetration. Taipei 101 in Taiwan and the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia show decent average RSRP but suffer from weaker signals in some locations, with bottom 10% RSRP falling below -100 dBm. The thick concrete and steel of Taipei 101 obstruct signals, while the Petronas Twin Towers lack a proper 5G indoor solution. One World Trade Center in the USA and Autograph Tower in Indonesia present RSRP around -85 dBm, indicating generally good coverage, yet some areas still face weak signals or complete dead zones.

5G Signal Performance at Different Heights

When examining signal performance at various heights, buildings like the Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center show little difference in signal strength across floors, with variations of 3 dBm or less. For example, Burj Khalifa’s RSRP on the first floor measures -77.09 dBm, while the top floor slightly improves to -76.30 dBm. In contrast, the Petronas Twin Towers, Lotte World Tower, and Autograph Tower experience a notable decline in signal strength as you ascend. The RSRP for Petronas Twin Towers drops from -80.44 dBm at the bottom to -92.67 dBm at the top, attributed to its dependence on outdoor towers. Likewise, Lotte World Tower’s RSRP decreases from -71.14 dBm at ground level to -92.54 dBm at the highest point.

Challenges for 5G in Skyscrapers

The primary barriers to achieving 5G coverage in these skyscrapers are the building materials, including glass, concrete, and steel, which obstruct signals. The high-frequency 5G bands (mmWave) have trouble penetrating these materials, leading to dead zones on certain floors or areas. Such challenges make it tough to provide consistent coverage throughout the buildings.

Solutions to Improve Indoor 5G Coverage

To tackle these difficulties, telecom companies can implement small cells and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to enhance indoor network coverage. Upgrading the indoor network infrastructure can effectively distribute signals. Moreover, Wi-Fi offloading can create a smoother experience by maintaining connectivity in regions with weak 5G signals.

Shanghai Tower clearly stands out as the top performer in 5G coverage among skyscrapers. While most buildings provide solid connectivity, some still exhibit weak spots. For comprehensive 5G coverage, improved indoor network solutions are essential. Cooperation between operators and developers is key to enhancing connectivity. Ookla’s Cell Analytics™ helps identify and address coverage gaps, aiding in the development of more dependable 5G networks within skyscrapers.