BAI Communications transformed a premium shopping centre’s mobile connectivity, delivering immediate ROI through improved tenant satisfaction, enhanced customer experience, and new revenue opportunities, all with zero operational disruption.

The business problem that cost thousands daily

The client: A leading Australian retail property group managing premium shopping destinations across the country, focused on creating vibrant community hubs where people connect for leisure, living, and work.

The property: A bustling 10,000-square-meter retail destination serving 20,000+ monthly visitors and housing 200 tenants.

For many years, this major shopping centre was losing revenue due to a critical connectivity gap.

The painful reality

  • Lost sales: Retail tenants depend on point-of-sale (POS) terminals and customer engagement.
  • Frustrated tenants: Staff rely on mobile devices for communication and coordination.
  • Customer churn: Visitors expect reliable mobile coverage for calls, messaging, and data access.
  • Safety concerns: Emergency communications were unreliable

Despite having a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) covering one major carrier, two other networks left vast coverage gaps throughout the centre.

The question: Expensive expansion or smart alternative?

This major property group faced a dilemma:

  • Costly co-location of the other carriers to the DAS (6+ months, significant disruption, tenant complaints)
  • Accept ongoing revenue loss and competitive disadvantage
  • Find an innovative solution that matched their premium standards

They chose innovation.

The game-changing solution

What we delivered: Nextivity Quatra 4000e mobile booster system
Timeline: Weeks, not months
Disruption: Zero (night-time installation only)
Coverage: Immediate improvement across all problem areas

How the solution works (the technical advantage)

  • Captures 4G signals from outdoor macro networks.
  • Distributes the signal to key coverage areas inside the centre.
  • Delivers targeted coverage improvements for carriers not supported by the existing DAS

Implementation

  • Collaboration: BAI partnered with Nextivity (equipment provider) and Anixter (distributor) to design and deploy the solution.
  • Rapid installation: The system was installed in weeks, not months.
  • Minimal disruption: Work was conducted after hours, ensuring no impact on daily operations.
  • Seamless carrier integration: The solution was approved by both mobile carriers, allowing immediate improvements in coverage.

The results: immediate impact, measurable ROI

  • Improved signal strength in the target coverage areas.
  • Expanded coverage for staff, tenants, and visitors.
  • Enhanced operational efficiency with reliable mobile connectivity.

There has been a lot of very positive feedback from tenants and customers. With customers particularly happy to successfully test payment terminals with the enhanced coverage. Additionally, the recent upgrade is expected to be a key sales tool for promoting Pop-Up clients in the centre.

Lessons learned

  • Effective planning: Early design approvals and coordination enabled fast deployment.
  • Night-time installation: Ensured zero disruption to retail operations.
  • Alternative solutions: The mobile booster system effectively addressed coverage gaps for carriers not covered by the existing DAS.

Why this beats traditional solutions

  • Faster deployment than DAS expansion
  • Fraction of the total cost compared to infrastructure upgrades
  • No lengthy carrier negotiations for new equipment
  • Scalable – add coverage zones as portfolio grows

What this means for major property groups

If your portfolio experiences:

  • Tenant complaints about mobile coverage affecting operations
  • Lost revenue due to payment processing failures
  • Difficulty attracting or retaining premium retailers
  • Safety liability concerns in coverage dead zones
  • Competitive disadvantage against better-connected properties

You’re likely facing similar $$$s in lost revenue across your portfolio.

Transform your entire portfolio’s connectivity infrastructure, schedule your portfolio assessment today.

Why choose BAI Communications

  • Enterprise expertise: Proven track record with Australia’s leading retail property groups
  • Portfolio scalability: Solutions designed for multi-property rollout and standardisation
  • Stakeholder management: Seamless coordination with property managers, tenants, and corporate teams
  • Carrier relationships: Pre-approved technology ensuring immediate activation

Find out more about our connectivity solutions for retailers here.