CEL-FI QUATRA Supercell Mode

Unlock Capacity with CEL-FI® QUATRA®

In today’s connected world, reliable in-building coverage isn’t optional— it’s essential. For enterprises facing challenges like congested macro networks, weak outdoor signals, or complex building environments, Supercell® mode on CEL-FI QUATRA offers a unique, elegant solution for adding cellular network capacity inside a building with minimal expense and quick, hassle-free deployment.

What is Supercell® Mode?

A CEL-FI QUATRA in Supercell® mode uses one or more carrier-provided small cells as the donor signal source. This powerful configuration distributes a uniform signal throughout your building, eliminating coverage gaps and ensuring consistent connectivity for voice, data, and video.

When to Use Supercell® Mode

Supercell® mode is ideal for high-density environments and scenarios where off-air signals from the macro network aren’t sufficient. Common use cases include:

  • Congested metro networks with insufficient capacity and/or poor signal-to-noise ratio
  • Tall buildings (above 25–30 ft) in urban areas
  • Pilot pollution from too many visible cell sites and no dominant donor cell
  • Very weak outdoor signals in rural or mountainous regions
  • Restrictions on external antennas or no place to deploy an external antenna
  • LEED-certified or shielded buildings or rooms and energy-efficient windows in combination with any of the other uses
  • Carrier reluctance to approve a rebroadcast agreement due to concerns with overloading the macro network

QUATRA Supercell® Mode vs. (Multiple) Carrier Small Cells

Many major carriers offer enterprise small cells as the solution to the above situations. While a small cell can deliver the additional signal capacity to a building, small cell deployment can be challenging and is often not a plug-and-play fix.

Depending on the carrier and the deployment model, users may require a dedicated data feed for each small cell, creating a recurring expense for the owner. Other potential deployment complications include:

  • Interference between multiple small cells in a space
  • Coverage gaps on the edges or between the coverage bubbles of each unit
  • Technical complexity
  • Slow delivery times
  • High costs
  • Single operator only
CEL-FI QUATRA in Supercell® mode eliminates these challenges by creating a flexible, scalable solution for coverage and capacity – at a fraction of the cost of legacy DAS. It simplifies deployment, reduces complexity, and ensures seamless connectivity without the drawbacks of multiple small cell installations.

Deployment with CEL-FI® QUATRA® in Supercell® Mode
Any small cell can be used with QUATRA, as long as the supported bands of the small cell match the bands supported by QUATRA. Each QUATRA NU can be tethered to one to four carrier small cells. For larger buildings, multiple NUs can be installed, each connected to up to six CUs.

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