what is the on signal standard?
The on signal standard is a specialized, proprietary certification system designed specifically for the built environment. Its main goal is to provide a unified and objective methodology for assessing the quality and availability of mobile phone signal inside various types of properties, such as office buildings, hotels, and shopping centres.
The on signal methodology transforms technical data into a clear and comparable scoring system. Achieving the required score threshold is the basis for awarding the certificate (1–3 stars), confirming a high level of comfort in mobile signal usage within the property.
Our standard is built on the best practices of the telecommunications sector and precise signal propagation tests (walk tests) carried out using professional measurement equipment. The standard makes it possible to verify whether the building’s characteristics and radio conditions ensure uninterrupted mobile services. However, our top priority is the end-user experience — therefore, we check whether people inside the property can effectively carry out professional tasks or use commercial services without interruption.
assessment categories within the on signal standard
The on signal standard assesses in-building signal quality by analyzing four key categories. These categories have been defined to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential end-user experience of mobile services within the certified property. Each category focuses on a different aspect of mobile connectivity — from core radio parameters to the real-world performance of services.
The coverage category forms the foundation of the assessment, verifying whether mobile operators’ signals are available and usable throughout the entire building. The analysis includes key technical parameters that define the radio signal, such as its strength (RSRP), quality (RSRQ), and “clarity” (SINR), which indicates resistance to interference.
What matters is not only confirming the presence of the signal but also ensuring that it is evenly distributed, eliminating “dead zones” where users lose connectivity.
why is this important?
From the user’s perspective, it means confidence and freedom of movement. A good score guarantees the ability to carry on an important call while walking from your desk to the conference room without worrying about the call dropping. It’s the assurance that your phone works, no matter where you are in the building.
A low score means having to “hunt for signal”, avoiding certain spots, and dealing with the frustration of an unstable connection that cuts out at the worst possible moment.
The data criterion focuses on measuring the actual performance that users can achieve when using mobile networks inside the building. The analysis evaluates how efficiently the internet works in everyday use, going beyond basic indicators.
It assesses not only key parameters such as average download and upload speeds, but also website loading times, video smoothness (vMOS), and latency (ping), which affects application responsiveness. The goal of these comprehensive measurements is to determine the practical bandwidth and real capabilities of the mobile network available to the end user.
why is this important?
Data transmission speed has a direct and fundamental impact on the comfort and efficiency of using mobile internet and related services.
A high score in this category means you can seamlessly participate in a video conference while a large file downloads in the background. Websites and apps open instantly, and online videos play smoothly without frustrating buffering. A low score, on the other hand, means noticeable delays during video calls, slow content loading, and the overall impression that the network is slowing down both work and entertainment.
In this category, the on signal standard focuses on assessing the reliability and quality of a phone’s most fundamental function — voice calls. The analysis covers calls made using various methods, depending on the available technology, including the modern VoLTE standard, as well as CSFB (circuit-switched fallback to 2G/3G) and VoNR (for 5G networks).
The evaluation looks at stability, whether calls are successfully connected on the first attempt, and whether they remain connected for the duration of the conversation. Another key factor is measuring actual sound quality, which in practice answers the question: how clearly and cleanly can you hear the person on the other end?
why is this important?
Despite the rapid growth of internet-based communication (messaging apps, social media), traditional mobile network voice calls remain essential and often irreplaceable. This is especially important in the context of business communication, ensuring connectivity for emergency services operating within the building, and in the everyday use by employees.
High-quality and reliable voice calls are among the most basic expectations for a property’s telecommunications infrastructure. Issues such as an inability to connect, frequent dropped calls, or poor sound quality can lead to lost information, reduced productivity, and general user frustration and in emergency situations, they may even have serious consequences.
In this category, the on signal standard verifies which technologies are available to users within the building, rewarding modern solutions for their greater business capabilities and readiness for the future. The algorithm is designed to be future-proof, which is why only 4G (LTE/LTE-A) technologies—providing fast data transmission and high-quality voice calls (VoLTE)—and 5G, offering the highest speeds and lowest latency, are scored.
The higher the technology, the more possibilities it enables—from advanced business applications to revolutionary solutions still on the horizon. In line with this philosophy, the standard does not award points for areas where only older-generation signals, such as 2G or 3G, are available.
why is this important?
The availability of newer mobile technologies — particularly 4G LTE and 5G — is crucial for delivering high-quality services to users.
However, it’s important to stress that the mere availability of a given technology (e.g., the ability to connect to a 5G network) is only a starting point. A full assessment under the on signal standard must also consider the quality of the signal for that specific technology, which is analyzed in the coverage category. Seeing a “5G” icon on a smartphone screen does not automatically guarantee high performance if parameters such as RSRP, RSRQ, or SINR for the 5G signal in that location are low. The on signal standard takes this into account, evaluating both the availability of the technology and the quality of its signal.
raise the standard of mobile connectivity in your property!
The on signal certificate is the key to enhancing the appeal of your property. Provide tenants and users with reliable mobile connectivity, leading to greater satisfaction, easier client acquisition, and increased market value of your building. Don’t wait — invest in the future of your property today!
