On-Communications Install Extricom Blanket Wi-Fi Technology Into Europe’s Biggest Indoor Arena
By Extricom Ltd, PRNEMonday, July 18, 2011
NEW YORK, July 19, 2011 -
Extricom Ltd., a designer and manufacturer of high-performance,
next generation wireless LAN (WLAN) infrastructure solutions have
today announced their collaboration with SMG Europe and
On-Communications to provide their seamless
Manchester Evening News Arena - the largest indoor concert arena in
Europe.
Ticket holders and performers will now be able to access a seamless
high speed
network using Extricom’s unique blanket wireless technology
across all public areas plus the back stage and loading areas of
Manchester’s M.E.N Arena.
Steve Merrick, On-Communications Technical Director explained
‘Working with SMG Europe, the M.E.N Arena‘s
operators, it was clear that there were a number of stakeholders
who would need access to and use of the Wi-Fi
network. Installing and enabling such a network in a venue as
large as the M.E.N Arena, with multiple floors, concrete walls and
very large audience numbers is a challenging exercise.
It quickly became clear that only one manufacturer was able
to meet all the technical requirements of the project. Extricom was
the only system that offered guaranteed, seamless mobility without
co-channel interference or holes in the coverage.
Extricom‘s channel blanket architecture delivers a
continuous service to very high numbers of simultaneous users with
no loss of bandwidth or throughput. The Extricom service guarantee,
along with the minimal ongoing maintenance the solution requires
made them the natural choice for us.
The build required over sixty
access points, thirty range extenders and half a dozen
switches. Connecting them all up took more than three
kilometers of fibre, five kilometres of Cat5 cabling and
various networking and routing devices.
The infrastructure means the Wi-Fi
network can be accessed at every level of the M.E.N Arena bowl,
around the concourses, throughout the executive suites, back stage,
dressing rooms and loading bay areas of the venue. Both
download and upload speeds to WiFi enabled mobiles and hand held
devices are an impressive double digit Mb/s throughout.
We have bought dual and diversely
routed Internet feeds into the arena, one via fibre, the other
using fixed wireless access, meaning we can light up to 130Mb of
Internet access if required and more can be added later if
required. Additionally, we are planning to run some services
and applications over the Wi-Fi network locally.
We are releasing Wi-Fi network access in stages, first to
promoters and performers, then to ticketholders and finally for
other user groups and applications.‘
Dave Batty, Facilities Manager at the M.E.N Arena added ‘We
spent more than a year examining and specifying this project and we
worked with On-Communications throughout that time. It was clear we
shared the same values and had the same vision of how we could use
communications technology to maintain the M.E.N
Arena‘s reputation as a leading global venue for
artists, shows, promoters and audiences. I‘m
delighted we have now gone live, with the first night being the
WNBA‘s debut European match. I look forward to
continuing our work with On-Communications, extending network
access and adding exciting new services.‘
Extricom’s Vice President Sales, International, Edu Meytal, was
full of praise for the foresight shown by SMG Europe in their
decision to deploy blanket
technology. He confirmed ‘SMG and On-Communications have
understood the need to be able to manage Wi-Fi airspace and have it
operate like a seamless mobile network. The unique and patented
Extricom solution is the only WLAN that offers completely seamless
mobility and we‘re naturally delighted that our
technology has been recognised as the product of choice to help SMG
achieve its technology and communication goals not only now but for
their future requirements too: Ultimately, Extricom
delivers‘.
About SMG Europe:
SMG Europe is the largest operator of sports and entertainment
venues in the United Kingdom and Europe, controlling over 75,000
seats in ten operational facilities.
The 20,000 seater Manchester Evening News Arena is
the largest indoor concert arena in Europe and the
flagship of the group which includes: The Bridgewater Hall,
Manchester; Metro Radio Arena and The Journal Tyne Theatre,
Newcastle; Playhouse, Whitley Bay and Odyssey Arena,
Belfast.
SMG Europe has been selected to operate Leeds
Arena which will become Britain’s most exciting new
concert venue.
The York Barbican re-opened as an SMG Europe managed venue
following the completion of a major refurbishment
program in May 2011.
Expanding into mainland Europe the group also manages The
König-Pilsener Arena and Odysseum in Germany, plus has
a presence in Scandinavia at the Oslo Spektrum in Norway’s
capital.
The newly formed subsidiary SMG Polska has signed a 12 year
contract for the management of the 42,000 capacity Wroclaw Stadium
currently under construction.
SMG Europe has also been appointed by Ora Istanbul to manage the
Ora Arena, the first multi-purpose venue of its kind in the
country, and the Ora Convention Centre - scheduled to open
in 2011.
For more information please contact:
Ben Williams,
DL: +44(0)161-950-5130,
E: ben.williams@smg-europe.com
About On-Communications:
On-Communications is a business to business IP Telco supplying
voice, data and value added services to fast growing, upper
quartile businesses and public sector organizations in the UK.
The company is a pioneer in Ethernet enabled connectivity.
A combination of fibre, copper and wireless Ethernet circuits
and networks are provided as a platform for customers to support
next generation IP voice, data and cloud services.
On-Communications is also a specialist in the design, deployment
and management of large scale Enterprise Class Wireless and WiFi
networks for arenas and major indoor venues.
About Extricom:
Extricom is a manufacturer of 4th generation enterprise
on its Channel BlanketTM technology architecture. The Channel
Blanket architecture provides wire-like reliability, high
throughput, seamless mobility, unparalleled noise immunity, and is
easy to install and maintain. In an era of intensive wireless usage
powered by the market explosion of smart phones, iPads, iPods,
tablets and other communication devices, voice, data, video, and
location services are delivered with an always-on, robust and
mobile Wi-Fi connection to any client, in any environment. Extricom
Interference-Free™ WLAN is purpose-built to slash wireless
complexity and future-proof your network for tomorrow’s
multi-service demands.
Extricom solutions are in use by customers operating in numerous
industries worldwide, including Education, Healthcare,
Manufacturing, Logistics and Warehousing, Retail and public venues.
They have discovered the uncompromising performance, reliability
and ease of ownership that are the hallmark of the Extricom
WLAN.
Extricom serves its growing global customer base through offices
in the USA, Europe and Japan, and by working with a global network
of distributors and partners.
For more information, visit us at
Extricom Media Contacts:
Corporate
Lynn Kolevsohn
Extricom
E-mail:
Americas
E-mail:
EMEA
E-mail:
APAC
E-mail:
.
Tags: Extricom Ltd, July 19, New York
