Three projects, ONE(TM) platform: How Connectivity Wireless is leading the way for Converged Networks in 2017

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - August 29, 2017) - Wireless network integrator Connectivity Wireless Solutions is leading the way for convergence as it completes three of the largest in-building networks in the country -- University of Iowa, San Diego Convention Center and Mercedes Benz Stadium.

From Comic-Con to kick off, the converged network systems installed at these sites are designed to support mobile connectivity for some of the largest crowds in the nation for years to come.

"These are three diverse venues with vastly different needs," said Clayt Mason, CEO of Connectivity Wireless. "We are passionate about helping customers identify and implement the best solution to meet their immediate and future technology needs, and for these projects, the Corning ONEtm platform was the ideal fit."

The fiber-based infrastructure supports the layering of additional technologies and allows customers the flexibility to take an incremental, phased approach toward converging multiple systems onto one network, as was the case with the University of Iowa and San Diego Convention Center projects.

This has become an increasingly "popular intermediary strategy for enterprises who seek to improve their wireless cellular network today, but recognize the industry shift toward convergence and want to prepare for 5G and the IoT future," said Steven Morris, Director of Engineering for Connectivity.

Morris explained that the main drivers for a convergence system in dynamic, customer-centric venues such as these, are the flexibility that a fiber-rich infrastructure offers to venue managers and its future-readiness. "Today's fiber-to-the-edge systems are the foundation for tomorrow's connected world," he said.

A Look at the Projects:

The University of Iowa system leverages 16.5 miles of fiber, 264 antennas and 528 remotes to provide robust mobile connectivity to students, faculty and visitors across the UI campus. As Iowa City expands to become the second largest city in Iowa on game days, the system was designed to support the influx of visitors and fans.

Part of a 10-year in-building wireless plan, the first phase of the installation utilized a distributed antenna system (DAS) to provide cellular coverage to UI Hospitals and Clinics, followed by this week's completion of phase II, which extends 1.2 million-square-feet of fiber-enabled coverage and capacity to up to 85,985 mobile users throughout Kinnick stadium and Carver-Hawkeye arena.

Subsequent phases will extend coverage throughout the rest of the campus with the potential to add Wi-Fi and PON applications to the existing infrastructure.

Likewise, the ONEtm system installed at the San Diego Convention Center is designed to support multiple wireless technologies and currently utilized for DAS to boost cellular coverage and data capacity for visitors.

The SDCC system was completed in July, in time to support more than 130,000 Comic-Con-International attendees. Leveraging 26 miles of fiber, 304 antennas and 586 remotes, the Smart City-operated system boasts the first WCS DAS deployment in the area.

The fiber-to-the-edge solution allows for custom sectorization, as well as a design optimized to deliver robust, reliable download and upload speeds and coverage for AT&T and T-Mobile users throughout the venue; additional carriers are expected to join by year end.

The last and most recently completed of the three projects, the Mercedes Benz Stadium system boasts the largest fiber-based DAS in the nation and is the first fully-converged ONEtm in the professional sports sector. Layered with DAS, Wi-Fi and PON, the system is dense enough to support connectivity for venue-capacity-maxing events, such as the Super Bowl or FIFA World Cup, seating up to 83,000 visitors.

"We've seen phenomenal mobile connectivity and data speeds at all three sites, and we're proud to have played our part in helping our customers provide the best possible experience for their visitors by providing them with the best possible technology solutions," said Mason.

This customer-focus is what drives Connectivity's success in the industry, suggests Keith Martin, Vice President of Channel Management for Corning: "Connectivity Wireless is a forward-looking partner that understands the needs of its customers like no other in the market. Ensuring its customers' future readiness for the bandwidth and application demands is where the company truly shines," he said. "This is precisely why Corning and Connectivity partner so well; delivering Corning ONEtm Solutions at a myriad of venues takes consistent collaboration and a focus on the same business values and principles."

Connectivity Wireless was recently named Corning's "Integrator of the Year" for the second year running and is the first and only integrator to achieve NPI (Network of Preferred Installers) status, granting a 25-year warranty on all Corning fiber solutions installed.