CASE STUDY

AQA Offices, Manchester

November 2023

The Problem

AQA are a prominent awarding body in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, responsible for compiling specifications and conducting examinations at various educational levels.

They play a pivotal role in providing support and services to educators and learners, including comprehensive support packages for teachers, professional development opportunities, and online resources to enhance classroom learning experiences.

This case study highlights how AQA addressed some challenging mobile signal connectivity issues at its Manchester office using our Amplifi-Qx Digital signal solution.

These connectivity problems hindered communication among staff members, impacted productivity, and caused frustration for employees who are reliant on mobile devices to complete daily tasks. The inconsistent mobile signal was not only an inconvenience but also affected the quality of services provided to educators and learners.

no signal

SEVERE MOBILE SIGNAL CONNECTIVITY ISSUES

7,000 sqm

confidential facility responsible for safeguarding test papers

Amplifi-Qx Digital

mobile signal booster solution using cel-fi technology

The SOLUTION

The chosen solution

AQA reached out to us with the aim of addressing the mobile signal connectivity challenges throughout their 7,000m² facility. To kick start the process, we conducted a thorough Desktop Survey, providing valuable insights into estimated costs and project timelines.

Following the desktop survey our skilled signal engineers performed a full site survey to identify the most optimal design tailored specifically to this distinctive building. Our design team recommended our Amplifi-Qx Digital signal solution, featuring the CEL-FI QUATRA 4000e system.

Installation

As the building is a highly confidential facility responsible for safeguarding test papers, our installation team operated during nighttime hours to ensure maximum efficiency while minimising disruptions to AQA’s daily operations.

The CEL-FI QUATRA 4000e is known for its reliability and capacity to deliver consistent and high-quality mobile signal coverage. This system included the following components:

Network Unit: The central hub of the system responsible for connecting to the external mobile network and distributing the signal internally.
Coverage Units (5): These units were strategically placed throughout the office space to ensure comprehensive coverage. Each coverage unit extended the signal to a specific area, minimising signal dead zones.
Internal Antennas (30): These antennas were discreetly installed within the office to provide reliable signal coverage across various departments and workspaces.

Our mobile signal solutions are licence-exempt and fully meet the regulatory requirements in the UK (Ofcom SI 2022/595)

The Result

Significant improvement throughout

The implementation of the CEL-FI QUATRA 4000e signal solution at AQA’s Manchester office provided impressive results:

Seamless Connectivity: Employees at the Manchester office now enjoy uninterrupted mobile signal connectivity, enabling them to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and educational institutions.
Enhanced Productivity: AQA staff members experience improved productivity, as they can use their mobile devices without interruptions.

Improved Customer Service: AQA’s commitment to providing excellent services to educators and learners is strengthened as the signal solution resolved communication challenges.
Employee Satisfaction: Employees expressed satisfaction with the improved mobile signal quality, enhancing their overall work experience and morale.
Future-Ready Infrastructure: The CEL-FI QUATRA 4000e system’s scalability ensures that AQA can easily expand the coverage as the office grows or reconfigure it as needed.

IMMEDIATE RESULTS

The reliable connectivity not only improved internal communication but also contributed to enhanced productivity and employee satisfaction. The project manager commented on having signal in the lower ground for the first time in 8 Years!

Signal reading comparison

On completion of any installation we’ll always walk around the building to test the signal in various locations – comparing the boosted signal to the original signal readings.

We use professional signal testing equipment to take dBm readings (decibel milliwatts) – we then compare these to the pre-install readings to calculate the increase in mobile signal. A really good dBm reading will be somewhere between -70dBm and -90dBm … the closer to zero the better!