Poor cellular signal inside buildings causes dropped calls, slow data, and frustrated users - leading to lost productivity and customer dissatisfaction. Many commercial buildings suffer from these issues due to complex layouts, building materials, and interference.
At Bolton Technical, we use iBwave design software, the industry-leading tool trusted by mobile operators worldwide, to plan and deliver optimized, reliable in-building cellular systems.
If you’re planning to install an in-building cellular signal booster in a large office, retail space, warehouse, or multi-floor building, iBwave ensures the design is accurate, efficient, and tailored to your needs.
What is iBwave and Why Is It Important?
iBwave is specialized software that helps wireless professionals design and model indoor cellular networks. It generates detailed heatmaps that visually represent cellular signal strength throughout your building. These heatmaps take into account every variable that affects signal quality, including:
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Building structure and layout
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Construction materials (concrete, glass, drywall)
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Cable routing and antenna types
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Outdoor signal levels for all major South African operators (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom)
How iBwave Enhances Your Cellular Signal Booster Solution
1. Get the Right Amplifier(s) for Your Needs
We ensure that the right amplifier is chosen for your needs, which means minimizing the cost and optimizing the output per amplifier, by using the iBwave system to simulate results from the placement and different models. By designing a complete in-building cellular coverage plan, we will provide you with a good understanding of the areas that will receive improved signal and address any weak areas that might exist.
2. Correct Antennas and Cables for the Job
The amplifier is an important part of a comprehensive cell phone signal booster solution, however choosing the right antennas and cabling is equally important. Deciding between a dome vs. yagi (directional) antenna is an important consideration, and ensuring the correct low-loss cabling is used for large solutions.
Another important consideration is getting the installation done properly. You could have the best quality cables and antennas, however if the install has been done poorly, there likely won’t be much of an improvement. We work with a highly specialised, professional team of installers that are skilled in the installation of in-building cellular signal solutions - ensuring you not only get the best design, but best installation service too.
3. Best Placement of Indoor Antennas
We ensure that the right antennas are chosen to give you maximum coverage in the area where it is needed. Different antennas have different radio wave patterns which makes them better suited for certain applications. For instance panel antennas are great for multi-story building installations and dome antennas are great in situations where you have a large open floor plan.
With an iBwave system design, we will lay out exactly what goes where before a rand is spent on equipment, and you’ll be able to see a completed heatmap of where the antennas will be placed and the coverage they’ll provide.
4. Design Based on Your Building Layout
Depending on your building lay out, there might be some challenges when installing the system. There might be no roof space to install cabling or you might have extremely high ceilings. Or perhaps there is no convenient place for an antenna.
Cable runs can also become problematic. Understanding the building layout is paramount for an optimal design and is best left to a professional iBwave designer.
With our iBwave system design services, we’ll make sure the building layout is taken into consideration when planning the solution & the cables are run in the optimal areas. You will be provided with a complete heatmap that shows cabling and where we propose best to run them.
5. Building Material Considerations
Different building materials block cellular signal to a different extent. It is important to take the building material into consideration. Some walls might be made of thick concrete. Others may be drywall. Maybe you’ve got an open area with glass windows. Are they regular glass, or low-e glass? All of this matters for a cellular signal booster system.
iBwave is the best system to take all the factors into account. When your system design is completed, you will be able to see how much penetration you’ll get from antennas placed in key areas and this will help make decisions on the most acceptable solution and key placement of amplifiers and antennas for your situation.
6. Simulate Your Network in Advanced 3D
With our iBwave design system, a lot of time and money is saved modeling large complex venues, as it has advanced 3D modeling simulation. It allows diagonal drawing which lets you easily design square sections at an angle, lets you design for inclined surfaces and curved walls in seating area modelling such as stadiums.
3D modeling also assists our clients to easily understand the cellular coverage in their building, and view before and after simulations of the proposed solution.
7. Optimized for All South African Mobile Operators
While our signal booster systems amplify all South African mobile operators, the effectiveness of the signal strength depends on the signal outside. It means that you might easily get Vodacom signal, but MTN signal might be more of a challenge. Often, amateur installers optimize around one mobile operator, then find no improvement on the others.
An iBwave system design takes into account all outdoor signal readings for all major network operators, and ensures the required coverage is placed where you want it.
What’s Included in Our Commercial iBwave Design Services?
- Consultation with a professional system installer
- Floor-plan review & analysis
- Industry-leading iBwave heat propagation mapping
- Cable and antenna placement design
- A fully optimized in-building cellular plan
- Comprehensive equipment recommendations
- A detailed cost estimate
Investing in a professional in-building cellular system is not just about installing a signal booster - it’s about ensuring long-term performance, reliability, and coverage tailored to your building’s unique structure and needs.
With iBwave system design, Bolton Technical brings world-class planning and precision to every commercial installation. From small offices to large enterprises, we use heatmaps, 3D simulations, and industry-approved hardware to deliver flawless connectivity - no guesswork, no wasted equipment, just results.
If your business depends on clear calls and fast data, it’s time to work with the experts.
Get in touch today to schedule your iBwave system design consultation and take the first step toward stronger indoor cellular coverage.
