Corning MobileAccess, part of Corning Incorporated’s telecommunications segment, announced that the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has implemented the company’s distributed antenna system (DAS) throughout the facility, in time for the International CTIA WIRELESS 2012 conference.
The solution will provide the more than 40,000 visitors expected to attend this year’s show with fast, uninterrupted access to voice and data throughout the convention center. The DAS solution was selected, designed and installed by Gulf Coast Real Estate Consultants (GCREC), a site management company, and Wireless Services (WS), who specializes in installation of DAS solutions.
“We knew we needed a powerful solution that would be able to handle heavy voice and data traffic across a huge area and serve multiple operators,” said Paul O’Connell, director of technology services, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “Our partners, GCREC and WS, helped us find the solution we needed in the Corning MobileAccess DAS. The bottom line is that this DAS makes our convention center the most advanced facility of its kind in terms of cellular coverage.”
The convention center is the fifth largest facility of its kind in the United States, and the DAS will extend and boost coverage throughout the 1.1 million-square-foot facility. The site routinely hosts tens of thousands of visitors simultaneously, who rely heavily on smartphones. The new Corning DAS will greatly enhance wireless voice and data service across all carrier networks, including those running 4G LTE. The DAS will also support public safety and operational communications within the extensive convention center.
“The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was one of the first convention centers in the country to adopt a DAS more than 10 years ago, but that system was not equipped to handle current 4G capabilities or increased smartphone usage and Ultra-Wideband SMR,” said Julio Dumas, managing partner, GCREC. “Our technical team (WS) worked closely with the convention center to design a comprehensive DAS with brand new, best-in-class technology from Corning to address the communications needs of employees and patrons in this massive facility, and ensure consistent RF capacity and coverage.”
Corning MobileAccess’ DAS brings outdoor cellular signals indoors, and distributes them through large facilities, resulting in enhanced wireless coverage and faster data transfer. The solution supports all major U.S. wireless carriers on a single infrastructure, and easily accommodates the addition of capacity and services as needed.
“We’re thrilled to be able to provide always-on cellular connectivity to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with our wireless operator and integrator community,” said Mike Genovese, senior vice president, Corning Cable Systems. “Our solution is ideal for facilities of this size and topology because of its flexible remote power options, and advanced cabling offering for uninterrupted coverage and capacity, a combination that is bound to make conference attendees and visitors very happy.”
