La Serrezuela

CONNECTING MODERNITY AND TRADITION

Cartagena de lndias is a charming historic city located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. With its cobblestone streets, ancient walls, and well­ preserved colonial architecture, the city has a rich history as an important port during the Spanish colonial era, reflected in its impressive colonial buildings, imposing fortresses, and magnificent churches. Furthermore, its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and tropical climate make Cartagena one of the most popular tourist destinations during the Latin American summer. Visitors can explore the historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with its lively squares, craft shops, delicious restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. The city has around one million inhabitants and received more than seven million tourists in 2022.
A place that stands out in the city is La Serrezuela, a cultural and commercial complex that transformed an old bullring into a modern and vibrant multifunctional space. Combining historic architectural elements with contemporary design, it offers a variety of options for visitors.
The complex has a wide range of establishments, including restaurants, bars, fashion stores, art galleries, and event spaces. People can enjoy a varied gastronomic experience, offering everything from local cuisine to international dishes, while exploring the stores that offer exclusive, high­ quality products. In its contemporary art galleries, it is possible to enjoy exhibitions by local and international artists. It is also the stage for cultural events, such as live musical performances, theater shows, and festivals.
With its elegant and cosmopolitan atmosphere, La Serrezuela has become a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering a unique mix of culture, entertainment, and shopping experiences. It is a place where tradition and modernity meet, providing a unique and enriching experience in Cartagena de lndias.
The project’s relevance and the large number of visitors required an exclusive connectivity solution, as the surrounding infrastructure was already overwhelmed and could not offer proper mobile coverage inside the complex.
La Serrezuela
La Serrezuela

COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS

To bring better coverage and capacity to La Serrezuela, it was necessary to design a combined solution. Its interior received an indoor DAS while the exterior had two masts erected on the rooftop, which extended the coverage to the outside areas and indirectly benefit the entire complex and its surroundings.In addition, the indoor/outdoor solutions naturally offload the neighboring macro network. The positioning and appearance of the antennas were carefully planned so as not to interfere with the architectural harmony of the complex.

The first challenge faced in this project was the transmission aspect of the system. The operators’ fiber network was not able to reach the complex. Thus it was necessary to establish a microwave transmission link instead.
The second challenge was even more complicated: the project was implemented in 2020 during the most critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule at the time was a complete lockdown, which did not allow travel. To overcome this obstacle, an exemption request was made, and in turn, special permissions were granted by federal agencies to mobilize personnel and equipment to the site
Despite the obstacles, the project was completed and handed over to the first operator in December 2020, in a record time of four months. With notable progress, in less than two years, the system was expanded to include two additional operators, resulting in comprehensive coverage and signal quality provided by the three leading operators in the market and directly benefiting visitors, residents, and business owners.
The successful implementation of the combined indoor and outdoor system at La Serrezuela is an important milestone to celebrate connectivity. With dedicated effort, collaboration between the parties involved, and a cutting-edge vision, it was possible to create a modern and reliable infrastructure that meets all communication needs within an almost 500 year old historic city. With this achievement, La Serrezuela reaffirms its commitment to offering a unique experience, combining history, culture, entertainment, and connectivity. The success of this venture reflects the adaptability and innovation capacity of the telecommunications sector, driving the development of smart and connected spaces while respecting their history and architecture.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Why choose QMC to build your DAS system?

Our solutions are tailor-made

We plan, design, and implement specific solutions for each client. We want to understand your business and see how we can help.

 

Our solutions are future proof

We constantly design with the future in mind so that our systems can last longer and continue to perform.

 

We are technical experts

We breathe telecom infrastructure 24 hours a day, every day. We know our market, and we can manage all the players involved.

 

We are obsessed with serving our customers well

That’s why we are always available to assist our clients in every way.