Republic Services | IP Site Connect Deployment Case Study

The Challenge

Republic Services operates landfill sites where reliable two-way radio communication is mission-critical. At one remote location, site operations were spread across a vast, open area with a 60–80 foot pile of dirt that physically blocked line-of-sight radio coverage. As a result, different crews and equipment operators were unable to communicate directly with one another.

This created a serious operational risk. Crews were running million-dollar heavy equipment, and any loss of communications could impact safety, efficiency, and uptime. Traditional single-repeater coverage simply wasn’t enough to overcome the terrain and scale of the site.

Republic Services needed a solution that could:

• Provide seamless communications across the entire landfill
• Work in a remote location with limited infrastructure
• Operate reliably despite changing site conditions
• Be deployed quickly with minimal construction disruption

The Solution

DWS designed and deployed a Motorola Solutions IP Site Connect system using a dual-repeater architecture, engineered specifically for the landfill’s unique geography.

Key Elements of the Design:

• Primary Repeater – Motorola Solutions SLR 1000: Installed in the site’s main building to serve core operations.
• Secondary Repeater (Solar-Powered) – 2nd SLR 1000: Strategically placed to overcome terrain obstruction caused by the landfill mound. This site had no commercial power available, requiring a fully self-contained solar solution.
• Custom Solar Infrastructure
  DWS engineers designed and assembled a rack-mounted, weather-sealed enclosure powered by a solar array and battery system. The cabinet included temperature control, ventilation, and environmental protection to ensure long-term reliability.
• Advanced IP Site Connect Programming
  This deployment required more than simply adding a second repeater. DWS programmed the radios to ensure proper roaming behavior, allowing units to transition correctly between sites without “ping-ponging” or dropping connections. Power levels were tuned precisely—down to 1 watt where needed—to optimize coverage and roaming performance across the site.
• Cabinet with Rack
  Not custom, but sized and constructed so all necessary equipment now and in the future can be contained; includes solar power and customized electronics 
• Motorola R7 Handheld Units
  Includes IP Site Connect software and rugged features, chosen for their durability and noise cancelling ability due to the dB level at the landfill site. 
• Motorola XPR5550e Mobile Two-Way Radios
  Installed in the yellow iron equipment (dozers, graders, etc) for operator communications.

 

• Unlike many IP Site Connect deployments (often used in campus or multi-site organizations), this system had to account for wide-open space, terrain changes, and long distances, making radio behavior and site linking especially critical.

 

Engineering & Execution

DWS handled the project end-to-end, from presales engineering through final installation.

• The presales and sales engineering team collaborated closely to model coverage, power requirements, and system behavior before equipment was ordered.
• The solar enclosure was custom-built from individual components, not a prepackaged kit—demonstrating DWS’s flexibility and technical depth.
• Minimal construction was required. Republic Services poured a simple concrete pad, and DWS handled assembly, transport, placement, and final installation.
• No external electrical contractor was needed—DWS completed the entire low-voltage DC system in-house.

Despite the project’s complexity, installation required a minimal on-site lift, reducing disruption to landfill operations.

“The radio system Day Wireless Systems installed gives us the ability to communicate clearly. That clear communication makes our operations more efficient and safer.” said Chad Lucero, Operations Supervisor, Republic Services.”

The Results

• Continuous, site-wide communications across previously unreachable areas
• Improved operator safety and coordination for heavy equipment crews
• A resilient, solar-powered repeater site designed for 5–10 years of battery life
• A scalable architecture that can be expanded or replicated at other remote facilities

 

The total project investment was less than you might think, even with a dedicated solar infrastructure. That said, the project is a necessary cost to deliver reliable communications where utility power was unavailable.

Why It Matters

This deployment highlights the real-world advantages of IP Site Connect when paired with thoughtful engineering:

• Overcomes terrain and distance challenges
• Enables reliable roaming across multiple sites
• Extends coverage without relying on costly infrastructure
• Ideal for landfills, mines, remote industrial sites, and critical operations

 

Few providers specialize in small-scale, custom solar communications systems—and many solar companies consider projects like this “too small” to take on. DWS filled that gap by combining wireless expertise with practical power and infrastructure design.

About Day Wireless Systems

Day Wireless Systems is a trusted wireless communications partner with deep experience in remote, industrial, and mission-critical environments. From presales engineering to deployment and support, DWS delivers solutions that work—especially when conditions are far from ordinary. Contact us to get your site analysis started!