Pilkington DataBoost™ is a passive technology that powers our insulating glass units (IGUs) to improve wireless signal transmission (including 4G and 5G) inside buildings, all the while ensuring the high performance and quality of standard insulating glass. It is designed to retain almost the same light and solar control properties as standard IGUs, as well as offering high thermal performance.

Furthermore, improved signal strength enables connected devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to operate for longer. When the signal is weak, devices continuously search for a stronger connection, even when idle. This process, known as "scanning", consumes additional energy. Better signal strength inside buildings helps to extend battery life by reducing power consumption.

Pilkington DataBoost™ technology is available in both double-glazed (DGUs) and triple-glazed (TGUs) insulating glass units.

The IGU components can be either annealed or toughened, which gives users flexibility when designing their own configurations.

Pilkington Insulight™ Therm, powered by Pilkington DataBoost™, is our flagship product.

Pilkington DataBoost™ powers our Pilkington Insulight™ Therm products, which have U_g-values of 1.2 W/m²K for DGU and 0.6 W/m²K for TGU. Future releases will also include solar control coatings, such as Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33, for both double- and triple-glazed units.

These glass products can be either annealed or toughened, offering users and architects design flexibility.

The technology is optimised to cover the most commonly used frequency bands in Europe, including the n78 5G frequency band (3.5 GHz), which is the most commonly used in Europe.

The pattern is specifically designed to maintain the performance of insulating glass units (IGUs). IGUs powered by Pilkington DataBoost™ have light and solar control properties similar to standard IGUs, as well as high thermal performance. They also have the same quality and exceed strength and durability requirements.

A CE mark and DoP are available for each product powered by Pilkington DataBoost™. 

No, there is only one fixed design involving intersecting circles with a diameter of 12 mm. This design cannot be changed. The pattern is designed to meet the product's requirements: wireless signal transmission, maximising aesthetics, minimising visibility, and maintaining the product's high performance. 

CE marking and a Declaration of Performance (DoP) are available. 

An increasing issue with high thermal insulation materials, including insulating glass units (IGUs) with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, is the attenuation of wireless telecommunications signals, such as radio frequencies and microwaves. In the case of IGUs, this is due to the presence of ultra-thin metal layers within the coating structures that reflect the signals.

In regions with harsh climate conditions, triple-glazed windows, thick insulation (often with metal foils) and concrete structures are used, but these can unintentionally block mobile signals and create a Faraday cage effect.

Despite constant improvements to mobile networks, signal issues inside buildings are still common. In tech-savvy regions, users expect seamless connectivity throughout indoor spaces.

In some areas, signal-transparent glass is increasingly being used to enhance user experience and ensure better communication, especially since signal issues can be hard to predict in new buildings.

Our Pilkington DataBoost™ products can be used wherever there is a risk of the above issue occurring or where there is a need to maximise the probability of a good signal connection.

Etching a periodic pattern into the conductive metallic layer on the surface of low-emissivity (low-E) glass improves the transmission of wireless signals through the insulating glass unit (IGU) for the most commonly used frequency bands in Europe, including 4G and 5G.

The concept is analogous to a microwave oven door, but works in reverse: a patterned metal layer blocks microwaves but lets visible light through. This same concept was used to create Pilkington DataBoost™.

All Pilkington glass products powered by Pilkington DataBoost™ are made with standard soda-lime glass and can be recycled as float glass. However, all country-specific regulations for the disposal of glass must be followed.

Pilkington Insulight™ glass powered by Pilkington DataBoost™ has the same lifetime expectancy as standard insulated glass units. 

To overcome the 'Faraday cage' effect and allow better wireless signal transmission, it is necessary to interrupt the continuous conductive path of the metallic layers within the low-emissivity (Low-E) coating. When the pattern is laser etched, a very small line of coating, approximately the width of a human hair, is removed. As a small amount of coating is removed, these areas no longer reflect infrared radiation (or, put simply, heat). This leads to a slight increase in emissivity, but this is very small compared to the overall energy-saving benefit. The rest of the coating remains intact, meaning the glass still reflects heat and provides insulation. 

The pattern is designed and processed to be as unobtrusive as possible. Intersecting circles were chosen for this reason. Visibility is minimised through careful control of pattern density, line width and depth (laser parameters). We recommend ordering mock-ups or samples before installation to evaluate the appearance in the actual setting.