Why is Mobile Signal Left Out of Construction Planning and What It Costs…
Walk into any new commercial building or residential development and you’ll probably spot the new, shiny digital touches like smart access systems, touchscreen visitor check-ins, cashless payment terminals. All of them make life easier. But there’s one thing they all quietly depend on, and it’s often left out of the conversation until the very last minute: decent mobile signal.
Smart Locks That Don’t Unlock
It’s a common scene just before handover: the site is completed, staff are getting ready for launch, and someone tries to use the app-controlled door to get in... Only to find there’s no signal, and the lock won’t open. Even basic things, like letting cleaning or security contractors in for last checks, become a logistical headache without mobile connectivity. The frustration is instantly clear as people find themselves locked out of a building they’re supposed to be finishing.
Digital Sign-In Systems That Can’t Sign Anyone In
Reception desks these days are often tablet-based or use QR code check-ins. The trouble is, these systems assume a working data connection. Without it, visitors can’t sign in or out, creating a muddle on day one when staff and guests can’t get registered, deliveries are missed, and security records are incomplete. Not exactly the smooth start anyone had in mind.
Communication Breakdowns for Contractors and Engineers
Final snagging works always seem to need last-minute phone calls: fetching someone to check a plant room, ordering materials, or just finding your way around a half-finished basement. Mobile signal 'dead zones' especially in basements, lift shafts, or behind new plaster, make these jobs unnecessarily difficult. Teams are left waving their phones about, hoping for a single bar of signal, rather than just getting on with the job.
Safety Systems Offline
Modern health and safety kit often relies on mobile coverage. Lone worker alarms, SOS apps, or even fire alarm systems that have cellular backup all need a solid signal to be effective. If there’s a problem and you can’t get a call or trigger an alert, these safety measures aren’t just compromised, they become pointless.
Payments and Deliveries Put on Hold
The assumption is: “We’ve got card readers and cashless tills, we’re ready to go”. But if the network’s down, no one’s paying for their coffee, and the corner shop in your office lobby is suddenly back to old-fashioned cash. Meanwhile, delivery drivers can’t reach staff to get into the building, and everything grinds to a halt at the front door.
I’ve actually experience this first hand where I went into a retail store expecting to tap my card as usual, but their card machines had lost connection for the entire day. Everyone was told it was cash only, and you could see the confusion on people’s faces... Hardly anyone carries cash anymore and there was no cash point nearby. Therefore obviously the queue got smaller as customers left empty-handed. Because there was no backup for their payment systems and no way for customers to pay, I assume they lost out on a lot of sales!
Why Wi-Fi Isn’t Enough
In the early days, building Wi-Fi usually isn’t live, so everyone relies on mobile data which is a problem if there’s no signal. Even once Wi-Fi is up and running, it’s not that reliable. Coverage rarely reaches stairwells, car parks, or lifts and visitors or contractors often can’t connect at all. Plus, plenty of critical systems like smart locks and lift emergency phones rely on mobile networks, not Wi-Fi. If the mobile coverage is missing, you’re left with gaps that Wi-Fi can’t fill, both before and after handover.
It’s clear that leaving mobile signal as an afterthought can cause all sorts of problems, from missed payments to safety risks. That’s why we always recommend considering mobile signal from the very start of any project, not just as a box to tick at the end. At Signal Solutions, we offer a free solution design service, so you can find out exactly what you’ll need before work begins. If you’re planning a new build or you’ve run into signal issues in a finished space, get in touch and we’ll help you get it sorted.