The shopping centre industry holds a central place in Brazil’s economy and urban life. With approximately 650 malls in operation, more than 120,000 active stores, and over 1 million direct jobs. Shopping centres represent one of the most relevant ecosystems in Brazilian retail. These venues welcome around 480 million visitors per month, making them high-traffic environments where people stay longer and interact socially.
Even with the growth of e-commerce, shopping centres remain highly relevant by offering an integrated experience combining shopping, leisure, services and convenience within a safe, climate-controlled environment. Consumer behavior studies indicate the physical experience is still decisive in the purchase journey. This is especially relevant when enhanced by digital capabilities such as mobile phone payment apps, loyalty programs and overall interactive experiences.
In this context, indoor mobile connectivity (Wi-Fi) is no longer just an infrastructure item, it has become a fundamental strategic asset. It directly impacts the visitor experience, tenant operational efficiency, transaction security and the competitiveness of retail properties in an increasingly digital market.
Connectivity has become one of the key enablers of digital transformation in brick-and-mortar retail. Therefore, in shopping centres, high-quality indoor mobile coverage enables smoother customer journeys, instant payments, omnichannel service and data-driven promotional actions in real time.
Beyond consumer experience, connectivity also has a direct impact on mall operations. Security systems, internal communications, monitoring, logistics, maintenance and payment processing, all depend on, stable, secure, low-latency networks. In high-traffic environments, connectivity failure can lead to financial losses, customer frustration and operational risk.
For this reason, indoor mobile connectivity has consolidated its role as a competitive differential. It is one directly related to increasing visitor dwell time, strengthening relationships with tenants and creating new monetization opportunities for retailers.
With 20 shopping centres and two corporate complexes operating across seven Brazilian states, Multiplan manages more than 2 million square meters of built area and approximately 6,000 stores, welcoming more than 200 million visits per year. The scale and diversity of its properties create significant connectivity challenges.
While outdoor macro networks from carriers are essential, they are not designed to efficiently serve enclosed, dense environments with highly variable shopping centre traffic. Structural barriers, complex layouts and usage peaks concentrated in specific times and locations, limit the quality of the 5G network mobile experience.
Given this scenario, Multiplan chose a strategic partnership with QMC to implement a dedicated indoor mobile connectivity infrastructure based on DAS (Distributed Antenna System), designed to support multiple carriers, high user density and the technological evolution of 5G.
ParkShopping Barigui, located in Curitiba, Paraná, is one of the flagship assets in Multiplan’s portfolio. With approximately 66,000 square meters of gross leasable area, 417 stores and an estimated annual footfall of 12 million visitors, the mall operates as a multi-use hub integrating retail, dining, entertainment and services.
Before the DAS deployment, major carriers have already served the mall through outdoor infrastructure, nevertheless with relevant limitations in coverage and capacity. Rising demand for mobile data —combined with the property’s architectural complexity — resulted in a degraded digital experience for visitors and operational constraints.
After implementing QMC’s DAS system, ParkShopping Barigui has gained a robust, scalable infrastructure ready for high traffic volumes. The solution was designed based on real usage dynamics, absorbing demand peaks in critical areas such as food courts, cinemas, and seasonal events —without compromising day-to-day operations.
The impact of indoor connectivity was quickly reflected in user behavior and mall operations. Cellular data usage has increased significantly, indicating stronger visitor digital engagement and greater confidence in the mobile network.
Key indicators have included a substantial rise in mobile data consumption, reduced reliance on open Wi-Fi networks and an increase in the density of simultaneously connected users. These results demonstrate an infrastructure capable of handling large traffic volumes in a stable and consistent way.
Improved connectivity has contributed directly to longer visitor dwell time, higher customer satisfaction and greater operational efficiency.
In addition to performance, security is critical in retail environments. Carrier-grade cellular networks delivered through DAS follow strict operator protocols, offering stronger protection against interference, fraud and cyberattacks when compared to open networks.
In a landscape where retail is among the sectors most targeted by digital attacks, secure mobile connectivity becomes essential for protecting payment systems, sensitive data and business continuity. DAS infrastructure provides a reliable foundation for financial transactions, internal communications and critical digital services.
Operating in five countries, QMC is a leading provider of indoor connectivity solutions in Latin America, with more than 250 systems deployed and monitored 24/7 through a dedicated Network Operations Center (NOC). The company acts such as a neutral host, providing shared, scalable infrastructure designed to support multiple carriers and technologies.
QMC maintains exclusivity agreements with major shopping centre groups in the region, such as Multiplan and Iguatemi in Brazil and Parque Arauco in Chile, Peru, and Colombia. Beyond retail, QMC delivers projects for airports, subways, hospitals, hotel complexes and tourist developments —high-criticality environments requiring continuous operation.
As a pioneer in deploying 5G indoor networks as a neutral host in Brazil, QMC has established itself such as a long-term strategic partner for shopping centres and carriers seeking performance, security, economic efficiency and readiness for the digital future.
