First Training Course Delivered by VEI Global

VEI Global successfully delivered its first Designing Connectivity into Building Projects course, welcoming a full house of 15 attendees from Metec, led by Cyril Creaven.

This milestone session brought together engineers and industry professionals to explore one of the most pressing challenges in modern construction: reliable in-building mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Key takeaway: Retrofitting mobile signal solutions after construction is significantly more expensive and disruptive. Connectivity must be considered early in the design phase.

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Why Mobile Connectivity is Now Essential

With the rapid advancement of 4G and 5G technologies, businesses and individuals increasingly rely on seamless connectivity.

Key drivers include:

  • Always-On Expectations
    Users expect uninterrupted mobile coverage for both business and personal use, everywhere they go.
  • Mobile Applications & Digital Services
    Services such as mobile voucher apps and cloud-based tools depend entirely on consistent connectivity.
  • Security & IoT Connectivity
    GSM signalling enables IoT devices to operate independently of internal networks, improving security. Reliable mobile coverage is also essential for emergency access and personal safety.
  • Modern Construction Challenges
    Energy-efficient building materials such as triple glazing, metal frameworks, and advanced insulation significantly reduce signal penetration.
  • Business Continuity & Redundancy
    Mobile networks provide critical backup options. Businesses can hotspot from devices or deploy 4G/5G routers to maintain operations during internet outages.

VEI Global designs and delivers modern IT and telecommunications solutions that keep buildings and businesses connected in a mobile-first world.

Our expertise includes:

  • Business-grade Wi-Fi networks
  • LAN & WAN infrastructure
  • Cloud telephony and unified communications
  • Contact centre platforms

With extensive real-world experience, VEI Global bridges the gap between building design and user connectivity expectations.

Course Aim

This course equips engineers with the practical knowledge needed to design effective in-building connectivity solutions.

As construction methods evolve, connectivity must be integrated from the outset not added later.

Course Content Overview

GSM Mobile Signal Boosting

Participants were guided through the design of a typical GSM signal boosting system, focusing on:

  • Why mobile signal loss occurs in modern buildings
  • Where boosting systems are most needed
  • How to design compliant and effective solutions

Modern construction techniques are a major contributor to poor indoor coverage, making this knowledge essential for today’s engineers.

Wi-Fi Network Design in Buildings

Using industry-leading planning tools such as Ekahau, attendees explored how to design professional-grade Wi-Fi systems.

This included:

  • Creating predictive and measured heatmaps
  • Determining optimal access point locations
  • Planning cable routes
  • Accounting for building materials and layout

Accurate Wi-Fi design reduces cost, disruption, and performance issues during deployment.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, attendees were able to:

  • Understand modern connectivity challenges in buildings
  • Identify sectors where mobile and Wi-Fi performance is critical
  • Evaluate available technical solutions
  • Understand how connectivity systems are designed and costed
  • Engage in real-world discussions based on live project examples

Expert Trainers

The course was delivered by VEI Global’s experienced leadership team:

  • Bill Kenny – Head of Direct Sales, with 35+ years in communications and extensive experience in GSM boosting and Wi-Fi systems
  • Ben Riedel – CTO, bringing 20 years of expertise in system architecture and advanced connectivity design
  • Bernard Breedt – Project Manager & Solution Designer, specialising in real-world implementation and delivery

A special thank you to Cyril Creaven for organising the session and supporting industry collaboration.

The Designing Connectivity into Building Projects course will soon be available via Engineers Ireland, providing more professionals with access to this essential training.

Future-Proof Your Building Projects

As connectivity becomes a core requirement in modern construction, early planning is critical. VEI Global continues to support engineers, consultants, and developers in delivering high-performance, future-ready connectivity solutions.

For more information about the Connectivity into Buildings course or upcoming CPD opportunities, please contact VEI Global or visit EI website.