Designing for mobile connectivity: The hidden infrastructure every building needs
As buildings continue to evolve and become smarter, more energy efficient and increasingly reliant on digital systems, the expectations placed on their digital infrastructure has significantly increased. Yet one element that still tends to be overlooked during the design process is mobile connectivity.
In an age where workplaces, hospitality venues, transport hubs and healthcare environments depend on uninterrupted digital access, indoor mobile connectivity has become an essential utility as electricity, heating or water. Like any other technical system, it benefits from being considered early in the design process typically between RIBA stages 2-4.
The infrastructure behind modern building performance
Mobile connectivity infrastructure has become a foundational layer of modern building performance that underpins safety, productivity, communication, ESG reporting, smart building systems, IoT functionality and the overall occupier experience. While WiFi access points and fibre backbones remain important, they are only part of the picture.
Today, mobile networks now sit at the centre of building functionality. They enable:
- Building management systems (BMS)
- Digital access control and security systems
- Smart metering and energy optimisation technologies
- Emergency response communications, including blue-light services
- Tenant and occupier digital expectations across all device types
Increasingly, expectations around reliable indoor mobile connectivity are appearing in BCO guidance, building safety requirements and digital handover frameworks such as COBie. By treating mobile connectivity as core infrastructure and aligning its design with long-term operational goals, developers and in turn their supply chain, can eliminate one of the biggest causes of post-occupancy complaints: poor indoor mobile signal.
Design integration: A principle, not an afterthought
When mobile coverage is addressed only at the end of the build process, teams frequently find themselves dealing with complex cable routing, additional containment and ceiling rework which can lead to increased disruption and delays.
Integrating mobile connectivity early in the design processes creates a seamless pathway for incorporating mobile connectivity infrastructure. Early planning allows for:
- Appropriate space in MER and SER’s
- Clear, efficient cable pathways and riser capacity
- Accurate provisions for power
- Coordination with architectural intent to minimise visual impact
- Early engagement with MNOs to streamline integration and testing
Crucially, early-stage integration lays the groundwork for long-term flexibility including future-proofing buildings for 5G, new spectrum bands and the rapidly increasing number of connected devices.
A practical design checklist
To ensure mobile connectivity is fully integrated into building design, teams should confirm that:
- Equipment rooms have appropriate power, space, cooling and security
- Antenna placement complements architectural and interior design
- Allowances are made for future expansion as demand and technologies evolve
This level of early coordination significantly reduces risk for consultants, developers and contractors preventing rework, avoiding delays and ensuring a smooth route to practical completion.
Supporting ESG, safety and future readiness
Robust mobile connectivity contributes directly to ESG and regulatory outcomes. It enables better energy optimisation through connected systems, reduces carbon linked to retrofit activity, improves operational efficiency and strengthens resilience across critical building functions. Reliable mobile connectivity is also central to compliance with building safety expectations, particularly in areas where emergency services require consistent, high-quality signal.
Leading the mobile connectivity conversation
Digital infrastructure must now be treated with the same importance as mechanical, electrical and life-safety systems. When mobile connectivity is championed as a core design principle, buildings perform better, operate more efficiently and deliver a superior experience for the people who use them.
Integrating connectivity in this way strengthens ESG outcomes, enhances operational resilience and ensures assets remain competitive and digitally ready long into the future. Mobile connectivity it is a fundamental component of modern building performance. Designing it in from the very beginning is not only best practice, but essential for the buildings of tomorrow.
