The largest hospital in the Netherlands, Erasmus MC Hospital in Rotterdam, has installed a DAS-based in-building wireless system to allow coverage of the C2000 (TETRA) network in all departments.

The hospital is currently updating its existing site and developing innovative patient, educational and research facilities. The overall reconstruction is expected to be completed by 2017.

The project was divided into several phases and work on the first phase began in August 2011. While specialist building materials have enabled the hospital to reduce its energy costs and CO2 emissions, they presented the hospital authorities with new communications challenges because they also inhibit the transmission of wireless frequencies inside the hospital buildings. 

Coverage tests carried out during the initial construction phase revealed that TETRA output on the existing network was low to non-existent. 

The hospital therefore went out to public tender for the provision of an in-building wireless solution. The hospital also took this opportunity to include in the tender improved coverage of all cellular frequencies so it could offer optimized coverage and services to patients and staff.

It chose Radio Access as its preferred partner to install and commission an active wideband DAS system developed by Zinwave, a UK technology company. Radio Access is a leading Dutch systems integrator that specializes in the implementation and management of private cellular networks, indoor antenna solutions and Femtocell solutions.

The Zinwave system comprises 16 primary hubs which interface with the TETRA and private network base stations, 100 secondary hubs, for the distribution of emergency and private services, and 514 remote units that are located throughout the hospital, including the ICU and OR units. The installation covers an area in excess of 90 000m².

Maurits Zandbergen, of Radio Access, commented: “Safety is a primary concern in all our installations, particularly so in healthcare. We are really pleased that the Zinwave 3000 passed the tests it was subjected to. We have deployed Zinwave’s DAS in numerous installations because its flexibility enables our customers to run and manage all their wireless requirements from a single installation.” 

Phase one has now been completed and Erasmus Hospital has already confirmed its requirement to proceed with phase two, which is due to start later this year.