Connection The Inside Scoop
Table of Contents
Johnson & Johnson Raritan
The Raritan Campus project stands out as a prime example of our expertise, showcasing tailored solutions, phased implementations, and ongoing support
The 5G Myth
The promise of 5G has been heavily marketed as a game-changer for connectivity, offering ultra-fast speeds and low latency However, for commercial real estate (CRE) owners, the reality is far more complex
Intenna Systems designs, builds and maintains some of the most complex in-building wireless solutions available in the enterprise and service provider segments of the industry The Intenna DAS that you deploy now will immediately enable 4G technology while laying the foundation for future 5G services
Wireless that Works
Christopher Lange President
William Shouldis VP Engineering
Sales
Jeff Reale Director, Enterprise Network Solutions
Eric McCarthy
Solutions Manager-Enterprise Sales Central and South Regions
Eclipse Rattanavong
Solutions Manager - Enterprise Sales
West Region
Marketing
Robin Lange
Marketing Manager
CASE STUDY
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That's why for more than 135 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life.
Overview of Johnson & Johnson Raritan
The Johnson & Johnson Raritan campus is a 1,000,000+ square foot facility designed to enhance education with an advanced technological infrastructure and is comprised of several buildings that support multiple business units.
The Raritan campus is a place where patients inform and inspire sciencebased innovations, which continue to change and save lives. Therapeutic areas include: Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiopulmonary and Specialty Ophthalmology.
Intenna Systems and J&J
Over the years, Intenna has successfully deployed Distributed Antenna System (DAS) networks across several Johnson & Johnson locations. The Raritan Campus project stands out as a prime example of our expertise, showcasing tailored solutions, phased implementations, and ongoing support.
Phase One
Phase One. At over 750K square feet, Building 1000 is the largest building on campus and was the first to undergo renovations to include a new cellular DAS. The initial installation began in late 2019, with the majority completed in 2020. Subsequent expansions in 2021 & 2024 accommodated additional redesigned and renovated interior spaces.
This building serves as the hub for the campus DAS, housing the head-end equipment and the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) signal source equipment. A campus fiber ring provides connectivity to two other nearby buildings.
Unique challenges included the presence of complex laboratory spaces and CAR Tcell therapy manufacturing facilities, which required innovative design and installation techniques to ensure seamless connectivity without disrupting critical operations.
Phases Two & Three
At just over 200K square feet, Building 920 was completed during a comprehensive gut renovation in 2023. Similarly, Building 700’s completion in 2023 also coincided with a full renovation of its 94K square feet of office space.
Both are connected to the Building 1000 DAS head-end room through the campus fiber backbone, ensuring consistent and robust signal transmission throughout.
Coordinated Renovations:
J&J Institute Facility Raritan Dry Lab
Synchronizing DAS installation with major renovations in Buildings 920 and 700 required meticulous planning to minimize disruptions and align with construction schedules
“I’ve hired Intenna Systems over the last 10 years for multiple large scale projects to upgrade or install new building cellular signal infrastructure. With each project, the Intenna Systems teams are thorough, easy to work with, and perform a high quality level of services. All of their projects are completed on schedule and within budget. Their work over the years has greatly improved the individual end user cell carrier experience within our buildings.”
J&J
Continuing Growth
Intenna continues to provide monitoring and maintenance services for the campus DAS network, ensuring optimal performance and support for future needs.
A potential DAS upgrade for other nearby buildings is anticipated in 2025 or 2026.
J&J Institute Facility Raritan
The phased deployment of DAS networks across the Raritan Campus has significantly enhanced cellular connectivity, enabling seamless communication for both specialized laboratory functions and office operations. Intenna’s commitment to tailored solutions and proactive maintenance ensures that Johnson & Johnson’s Raritan Campus remains equipped with a reliable and scalable DAS infrastructure.
Intenna Systems LLC I 2025 I Johnson & Johnson Raritan
Why
CRE Still Needs 4G Infrastructure
The
Challenge of 5G Indoors
Unlike 4G, which uses lower-frequency bands that can penetrate walls and buildings, 5G primarily relies on highfrequency waves that struggle with indoor penetration. This means that unless a building is equipped with a dense network of indoor 5G nodes, coverage can be spotty or even nonexistent—leading to connectivity issues for tenants and businesses.
The promise of 5G has been heavily marketed as a gamechanger for connectivity, offering ultra-fast speeds and low latency. However, for commercial real estate (CRE) owners, the reality is far more complex. While 5G has its advantages, its limitations especially for indoor coverage make it a costly and often impractical solution for immediate deployment.
Instead, 4G Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and small cell solutions remain the most reliable and scalable investment for CRE owners.
The High Cost of Full 5G
Deployment
Upgrading to full 5G coverage requires significant infrastructure investments, including:
Densified small cell networks throughout a building to compensate for 5G’s short range.
Fiber backhaul upgrades to support highspeed 5G connections.
New in-building infrastructure to improve penetration and reduce dead zones.
These costs can be prohibitive, especially when most tenants still rely on 4G LTE networks for daily operations.
While 5G adoption is growing, 4G LTE remains the dominant wireless standard, and its infrastructure is far more costeffective to implement today.
A robust 4G DAS or small cell network provides:
✔ Reliable indoor coverage without the need for extensive infrastructure overhauls.
✔ Scalability, allowing buildings to gradually integrate 5G as demand increases.
✔ Cost efficiency, avoiding the immediate expenses of full 5G deployment.
In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, the push for everfaster cellular speeds has become relentless, with 5G often promoted as a must-have upgrade. However, for everyday activities like browsing social media, streaming music, or messaging, 4G speeds are more than sufficient.
While the pressure to upgrade can be strong, it’s worth pausing to consider whether ultrahigh-speed connectivity genuinely benefits your needs. Rather than chasing the latest technology for its own sake, ask yourself if faster speeds will truly enhance your experience or if it’s simply the appeal of staying ahead.
The Bottom Line
While 5G is the future, it’s not yet a practical or necessary investment for most commercial properties. CRE owners looking to enhance connectivity should prioritize 4G DAS and small cell solutions, ensuring strong, reliable coverage now while keeping their buildings 5G-ready for when the technology becomes more viable and affordable.
March 2025 Spotlight On
Project Engineer JesseSpade
Loves to play the drums.
Wishes he had the superpower of telekinesis
Coffee keeps the energy level charged
Couldn’t live without chicken wings
Knew this was the place for him after meeting our president, Chris Lange, at a Drexel job fair
“I love that this job has given me the opportunity to travel to, and work in different places and environments that I otherwise wouldn’t have seen.“
Expert Insights from Intenna
“Intenna Systems designs, builds and maintains some of the most complex indoor wireless networks available in the enterprise and service provider segments of the industry. Over two decades of experience provide our staff with unparalleled knowledge in designing, building, optimizing and maintaining customized distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cell solutions to fit your specific needs. We are distinguished by our commitment to quality and delivering the right solution to meet our customers’ diverse communications needs.”
Founded in 1998, Intenna Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of customized, cost-effective, in-building wireless networks. With over two decades of design and deployment experience, Intenna continues to provide comprehensive cellular and public safety network DAS solutions to an impressive resume of healthcare, corporate, hospitality, public venue and government clients nationwide. We are distinguished by our unparalleled experience, ability to navigate challenging environments, commitment to quality and customer focus. Reach out to Intenna today to learn how we can help you create the wireless environment that your employees, customers and patients now require.
