In-building mobile coverage

Delivering quality mobile coverage across Australia isn’t just about building new towers or installing antennas on rooftops or on power poles; providing in-building mobile coverage is a challenging engineering solution that is a part of network deployment that often goes unnoticed. 

The Sydney Opera House is a prime example of the complexity involved in bringing world-class in-building connectivity to an internationally renowned landmark. 

In-building mobile systems use very low power levels and are designed to comply with Australia’s mandatory electromagnetic energy (EME) safety standards. 

The Australian EME safety standards:

• are very conservative and include large safety margins
• protect all people (including children) from radiofrequency EME 
• cover the frequencies in the frequency range 100 kHz to 300 GHz including mmWave bands and other frequencies used by 5G technology.

Read more about ARPANSA EME Safety Standards.

We also adhere to the AMTA guidance outline in the Distributed Antenna Systems Design Guidelines 2025 which gives building owners and occupiers the confidence that high quality mobile coverage will be delivered within their premises or facilities.

We test all new 5G mobile and existing radio services, including in-building coverage antenna systems so that our installations comply with the ARPANSA safety standard which is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). 

Our testing shows that EME levels near in-building coverage systems are very low – far below the EME safety limits, which themselves have a significant safety margin built in.

Recent results from our testing at the Sydney Opera House showed:

• The 5G connection was excellent at providing fast speeds and great connectivity.
• EME levels were over 100 times below public safety limits. 
• Even with some of the antennas placed close to walkways and corridors, like in-building Wi-Fi, we ensure we're compliant by operating them at low power.