Distributed Antenna Systems Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)

The Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) market was valued at USD 10.04 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 19.84 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 12.10% over the forecast period 2021 - 2026. The developments in communication technology that have led to the evolution of high-speed connectivity, lesser power-consuming network devices, and more substantial connectivity coverage have boosted the market for DAS systems.

Key Highlights

• DAS adoption rate has increased dramatically, as it provides several advantages over single-antenna systems. However, this is achieved at a higher cost and the deployment of a complicated system. Nevertheless, DAS is being used across various areas to enable businesses to get the coverage necessary for applications.​
• Although the concept of distributed antenna systems has existed for many years, the increased deployment of wireless networks within buildings with potential applications across smart homes and connected devices has encouraged the implementation of DAS systems increasingly in the market.
• The cost of a DAS solution varies based on the time and range. For example, passive DAS used to identify the coverage of cellular carriers simultaneously is at the lower end and may cost only a couple of hundreds or thousands of dollars; however, active DAS is used for enhancing in-building coverage of one or more mobile service provider networks comes at higher costs.
• The smallest passive system's cost can only be USD 299.99 for a small home bi-directional amplifier (BDA) system, and for a robust commercial DAS that can boost coverage within indoor spaces up to 100,000 sq. ft can even cost thousands of dollars. Also, it requires professional installation by a certified DAS installer. Overall, the high cost of upgradation challenges the market growth.​
• During the COVID-19 crisis, crucial technologies play a vital role in keeping society functional during lockdowns and quarantines. Technologies such as DAS and other related technologies are expected to have a long-lasting impact. Continuous monitoring for the emerging signs of a possible new world order post-COVID-19 crisis is a must for aspiring businesses, and the major players are seeking to find success in the now changing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS).

Key Market Trends

Public Safety DAS to Significantly Drive the Market Growth

• These systems provide wireless service via an antenna system, particularly to buildings, to ensure that emergency responders maintain wireless communications within a building structure and on-the-job in emergencies. Enabling emergency communication is crucial for the men and women who are often the first on a scene for public safety.
• In public safety, DAS design will need to meet the system coverage requirements of both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Fire Code (IFC). While IFC dictates that 95% of coverage is needed in all areas, NFPA dictates that 99% coverage is required in areas of vital importance, such as those designated by the local fire department.
• With higher deaths due to fires in countries such as the United States, DAS are expected to witness an increased adoption, owing to the rising significance of public safety. The DAS market is also witnessing increased penetration of high-speed internet technologies, such as 4G and 5G, which has led to modifications of public safety in building wireless DAS to support such internet speeds. ​
• This, in turn, has enabled a more extended reach and has been promoting the market's growth. Furthermore, the growing trend of smart city development in emerging economies has led to the faster application of public safety in-building wireless DAS in several residential and commercial building complexes. This has again positively influenced the growth of the global public safety in-building wireless DAS market.​

Asia-Pacific to Witness Highest Growth

• Asia-Pacific is one of the regions where DAS deployment has been increasing in the recent past. In the Indian market, one of the significant contributors to the market, internet penetration, has been rising with telecommunications technology upgrades.
• Even the government has intervened to ensure that the telecommunication operators share DAS owned by them so that the customers of all operators can have the threshold bandwidth everywhere, and these new technologies have broader adoption in the region.
• The government also suggested that the state governments implement DAS in the hospitals, which have at least 100 beds and malls that cover the minimum area of 25,000 square feet. This indicates the governments' intention to successfully make the high bandwidth technologies, directly impacting the DAS market.
• The market in the region is anticipated to witness a downturn over the forecast period, with the companies shifting away from DAS. For instance, Chinese vendor Huawei is seeing a transition from a traditional distributed antenna system (DAS) to a digital indoor system (DIS) for in-building coverage in the Chinese market. In China, the indoor market is quite huge. It encountered a reversal from the traditional distributed antenna system (DAS) to DIS. According to Huawei, the new build scale of two types of solutions is reversed from 80% vs. 20% to 20% vs. 80%.
• Researchers in Korea have developed a vital network technology that allows users to enjoy 5G services seamlessly in the indoor environment. It is expected to help expand the 5G coverage area and further improve the domestic telecommunications infrastructure. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that it has successfully developed the world's first 5G indoor DAS1) that can receive millimeter wave (28GHz) - based broadband 5G signals from base stations and transmit them into buildings.​

Competitive Landscape

The distributed antenna systems market is highly fragmented due to the increasing mobile data traffic, proliferation of connected devices due to the Internet of Things (IoT), rising need for spectrum efficiency, and growing consumer demand for extended network coverage and uninterrupted connectivity. Many companies are now entering the market with an array of scope. Some of the key players in the market are Anixter, CommScope, TE Connectivity, Corning Inc., and Antenna Products Corporation. Some recent developments in the market include:

• June 2020: Boingo Wireless was selected by the Hawaii Tourism Authority to design, build, operate, and maintain a neutral host cellular and public safety DAS network for the Hawaii Convention Center (HCC). The long-term, 10-year agreement will bring improved cellular coverage and capacity to the 1.1 million square foot facility and help HCC accommodate connectivity demands of the 5G era.
• May 2020: SOLiD has announced the launch of edgeROU, a fiber-to-edge remote unit for the ALLIANCE DAS product family. SOLiD designed edgeROU specifically to solve the challenges experienced by mobile users in buildings. As building owners strive to improve the user experience and profitability, edgeROU, based on proven ALLIANCE technology, delivers the seamless, anytime, anywhere service customers expect.

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