FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2015
CONTACTS:
Heidi Hayes, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
(702) 892-0711, hhayes@lvcva.com
AT&T and Sprint to use new Cox Business and InSite network to improve wireless coverage at Las Vegas Convention Center
LAS VEGAS, December 15, 2015 – Cox Business and InSite have partnered with the Las Vegas Convention Center to help ensure a better convention experience for wireless customers as they navigate the venue’s 3.2 million square feet. AT&T, Sprint, and a third major wireless carrier have signed agreements to launch this service powered by Cox and InSite on the new state-of-the-art distributed antenna system (DAS).
Over the last 18 months, the site of the CES trade show and other top-attended global conventions has boosted the number of WiFi access points from 166 to 2,100 in order to improve onsite access to wireless data. Most recently, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced that Cox Business and InSite Wireless Group will build a custom DAS to increase cellular network capacity and reliability for participating carriers inside one of the world’s largest exhibit halls.
The 2,100 WiFi access points, backed by redundant Cox Business 10 Gbps fiber connections, are fully operational today and the new DAS will be completed by this time next year.
Derrick R. Hill, vice president of Cox Business and Hospitality Network in Las Vegas, noted, “We’ve been deploying advanced technologies at the Las Vegas Convention Center for more than two years. Now, with the support of our partners at InSite, our neutral host DAS will help ensure wireless carriers can provide their customers faster service and improved coverage, enhancing the overall convention center experience for attendees and exhibitors.”
The DAS will markedly improve the performance for smart phones and mobile devices, as well as increase the cellular carriers’ network capacity and reliability of service, providing convention center attendees with better access to high speed video streaming, HD Voice, and video calling offered by the latest 4G LTE technology.
“We at InSite are excited not only about the opportunity to partner with Cox Business and LVCVA, but also about the DAS installation itself,” said David E. Weisman, President and CEO of InSite. “Being chosen to construct and manage a system in one of the largest convention centers in the U.S.—and the home of the Consumer Electronics Show—puts InSite’s expertise as a neutral host DAS operator in the spotlight. We’re pleased to have three of the major carriers on board, and are proud to be part of this project.”
“The trade show floor becomes a mobile office for many of our attendees making reliable cellular service critical,” said Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of operations, LVCVA. “By upgrading the DAS, the Las Vegas Convention Center continues to enhance the customer experience.”
The DAS concept is built on the engineering principle that a linked network of low[1]powered, spatially separated antennas and repeaters providing overlapping coverage within the confines of an enclosed area improves cellular capabilities and reception, eliminates dropped calls and heightens the user experience. The system is comprised of common fiber optic, radio, and antenna infrastructure that is maintained by a dedicated InSite technical staff. Once completed, the Las Vegas Convention Center DAS will have a capacity equivalent to 14 cell sites and can accommodate all carriers to serve the wireless needs of capacity crowds at LVCVA’s largest events.
In August of 2013, Cox Business and the LVCVA signed a seven-year contract with a three-year extension to provide wired high-speed Internet networking services and equipment, wired voice services, private network options, WiFi based wireless Internet services and TV services. The future installation of DAS capability by Cox Business partner InSite Wireless Group was part of that contract.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity 10 times, including the last nine years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.
Hospitality Network (HN), a product of Cox Business in Las Vegas, is the premier provider of choice for video, Managed Wi-Fi and In-Room Entertainment (IRE) to hotels and convention centers across the nation. Delivering a first-class guest experience for over 30 years, HN has proven solutions that benefit our customers and their guests in over 110,000 hotel rooms, in 15 states from coast to coast. Visit www.coxhn.com.
About InSite Wireless Group
InSite Wireless Group, LLC develops, owns, operates and manages communications wireless infrastructure facilities primarily for the wireless and broadcast industries. InSite’s distributed antenna system (DAS) and small cell division has developed and currently operates more than 20 projects across the United States in convention centers, casinos, airports, sports stadiums, and transit systems like the Boston MBTA Subway and the Los Angeles County Metro. InSite’s tower division develops, manages, owns, and operates more than 1,250 telecommunications towers and sites for wireless carriers across the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. For more information on InSite, go to www.insitewireless.com
About the LVCVA
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 10.8 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA’s mission centers on attracting ever increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.vegasmeansbusiness, www.lvcva.com or www.lasvegas.com.