Las Vegas Convention Center Launches One of Nation's Largest Antenna Systems for Enhanced Mobile Wireless Experience
December 18, 2016
Imagine packing the power of 14 cell towers inside a single convention facility. That’s exactly what the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has accomplished at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Continuing its commitment to ensuring the facility is the most technologically-advanced convention center in the United States, the LVCVA has successfully launched one of the nation’s largest Neutral-Host Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) throughout the property.
Through a partnership with Cox Business/Hospitality Network and InSite Wireless Group, LLC, clients and guests visiting the LVCC will benefit from state-of-the-art wireless voice and data cellular services that are now being transported over the new DAS.
This development will provide wireless subscribers a better convention experience as they navigate the LVCC’s 3.2 million square feet, or roughly 26 football fields, of space.
“Today’s world is a wireless world, and to provide a first rate customer experience, we have to have the infrastructure to ensure visitors have seamless coverage and service,” said Hugh Sinnock, LVCVA’s vice president of customer experience. “Investments like this will continue to provide our clients with the best possible tools for conducting business.”
“With the support of our partners at InSite, we’ve constructed a neutral host DAS infrastructure that will provide reliable, high-speed cellular connectivity within the Las Vegas Convention Center,” said Derrick R. Hill, vice president of Cox Business and Hospitality Network in Las Vegas.
He added, “As a result, cell providers will be able to give their customers improved coverage and this will enhance the overall convention center experience for attendees and guests.”
In addition to the center’s existing high-density Wi-Fi network, the capacity of the new cellular DAS is immense. With an ability to deliver service to more than 100,000 guests simultaneously, visitors to the LVCC can expect faster download speeds on their smartphones than typically provided on most corporate networks
Four major U.S. wireless carriers have signed agreements to launch this service. The system can simultaneously accommodate traffic from all of the participating wireless carriers; serving the exploding wireless voice and data demands that are common at today’s high attendance, technology-rich trade shows and events.
The approximately $18 million DAS project took three years to plan and ten months to build. The job was so large that four separate installation contractors split up the work, tackling different areas of the campus simultaneously. In addition, various specialized construction trades from HVAC to electrical to fire suppression to custom fabricated steelwork were used to support the massive equipment and antenna infrastructure.
The LVCC DAS incorporates a future-proof design; allowing for enhancements as new wireless technologies are developed. The infrastructure can be equipped for upcoming (5G) cellular technology once these services are offered to the public and subscriber equipment becomes available. The LVCVA will work with Cox, InSite and participating carriers to extend the DAS infrastructure into upcoming LVCC facilities currently being developed.
The DAS concept is built on the engineering principle that a linked network of low-powered, spatially separated antennas and repeaters providing overlapping coverage within the confines of an enclosed area improves cellular capacity and reception, eliminates dropped calls and heightens the user experience. The system is comprised of common fiber optic, radio, and antenna infrastructure maintained by a dedicated InSite technical staff.
Overall DAS specifications:
• DAS core equipment provider: Corning
• 44 zones – 38 indoor and 6 outdoor
• 5 indoor, monitored DC power plants
• 52 remote locations in existing IDF closets and catwalk locations
• DAS system technologies: UMTS, CDMA, LTE, TD-LTE
• 116 four-band HX Remotes 700, 850, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands
• 116 five-band HX Remotes 700, 800, 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz bands
• (52) 2500 MHz Remotes
• (24) 2300 MHz WCS Remotes
• 48,000 feet of ½” coaxial cable (9.1 miles)
• 20,000 feet of 144 strand single mode fiber optic cable (3.8 miles)
• 25,000 feet of 24 strand single mode fiber optic cable (4.7 miles)
• 1,700 feet of dual 864 strand fiber trunks
• 295 MIMO antenna locations
• 41 equipment racks in the DAS head end
• 5,500 square foot dedicated head end room
• 1,412 coax jumpers at remotes and antennas
• Full backup power and cooling capabilities for the head end including a new 1,250 KW generator
The DAS installation comes on the heels of three years of upgrades throughout the LVCC, including increasing the number of 802.11ac Wi-Fi access points from 166 to 2,100, installing an all new fiber optic and Ethernet switching backbone infrastructure, and improving capacity to the Internet with redundant 10 gigabit fiber connections.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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