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Sports Broadcasting Technology

Crown Castle Deploys Distributed Antenna System at Amway Center in Orlando

March 24, 2011

(SPORTS TECHNOLOGY)

Crown Castle International announced the deployment of a neutral host distributed antenna system (“DAS”) by one of its subsidiaries for the Amway Center in Orlando. The Amway Center serves the sports and entertainment needs of people in Orlando. The building features a sustainable, environmentally friendly design.


Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said that the Amway Center is trying to serve the needs of basketball fans or those who want to watch a live concert. The building housing the Amway Center is the most technologically advanced center in the country, equipped with more than 1,100 high-definition television screens and a digital signage network throughout the building. The center has eight levels, five public concourses, and has a capacity to seat 20,000 people.

The indoor DAS network is expected to facilitate wireless communication services to all 875,000 square feet of the Amway Center. The system will be providing enhanced wireless voice and data coverage for up to five wireless carriers serving all fans and staff, said company sources.

The deployed system includes antennas connected by fiber to a communications hub that can ensure wireless communications for multiple carriers.

In a release Pat Slowey, Crown Castle’s senior vice president, sales and customer relations said, “Fans attending major sporting events and concerts want to share their experience and stay connected via their mobile devices by sharing calls, texts and photos with friends and family across the country before, during and after events at the center.”

Slowey added, “For venues looking to provide wireless coverage on game day or during other events, a DAS network provides the optimal wireless infrastructure solution.”

Dyer added that such a system maximizes fan engagement and interaction and provides patron information. The DAS network provides additional wireless coverage that will enhance the experience of attendees at Amway Center.

Crown Castle specializes in the design, deployment and monitoring of neutral host DAS networks. It provides shared wireless infrastructure in the U.S. leveraging its relationships with all major wireless carriers, according to Jim Young, Crown Castle’s chief operating officer.

The company works in tandem with carriers to lease capacity on the system. This helps the venue owner also as they need not bother about coordinating deployment, installation and maintenance of the system. Moreover, the venue can provide optimum wireless experience for fans at the venue before, during and after an event.

Crown Castle also announced that one of its subsidiaries has deployed the DAS to facilitate wireless communications services within CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The system provides wireless coverage for AT&T Mobility and Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless and has capacity for three additional operators.


Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Janice McDuffee