In-building mobile signal coverage in hotels affected by building shielding

On October 28, 2026, Hospitality Technology reported that materials used in hotel renovations such as Low-E glass, concrete and steel frames create a "Faraday cage" effect that shields outdoor base station signals, leaving underground floors, elevator shafts and windowless meeting rooms with almost no signal. A Cox Business survey shows that 58% of Gen Z and Millennial business travelers rank reliable mobile service first among hotel technology needs. The report compared traditional DAS with all-carrier small cells: DAS deployment takes 9 to 12 months and consumes about 65 watts, while small cells use at least 60% less energy.