AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER GOES WIRELESS WITH ARUBA
Largest Wi-Fi Deployment of Any Super Sports Complex with Next Generation Wireless System from Aruba Wireless Networks
DALLAS, TEXAS - October 13, 2004 - In what's expected to be the largest deployment of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology within any sporting and entertainment venue, American Airlines Center and Aruba Wireless Networks™ (Aruba) have teamed up to bring secure wireless networking to the facility.
One of the most technologically advanced venues in the world, American Airlines Center is a premier sports and entertainment venue and home to the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars.
The phased rollout of Wi-Fi has begun. The technology is currently being used to provide wireless access for the America Airlines Center staff, the news media, third party promoters and guests who utilize AA Center meeting rooms. AA Center executives are discussing future applications for guest access to the Wi-Fi system during sporting and other events and what services will be provided.
"We are very excited to be working with Aruba to enable us here at American Airlines Center to use wireless access to be far more efficient and profitable in our efforts to support and please our customers," said Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
For the first phase of Wi-Fi deployment, AA Center deployed Aruba dual-band 802.11a+b/g grid points (Wi-Fi radios) along with Aruba's new software programmable 802.11a/b/g AP-60 grid points throughout the arena. The Aruba grid points are managed from a single, centralized Aruba 5000 WLAN system that can simultaneous manage up to 256 Wi-Fi grid points.
Future phases for Wi-Fi deployment call for the dense deployment of Aruba grid points to support advanced Wi-Fi applications such as voice over Wi-Fi, device tracking and other user and operations applications.
"We have a state-of-the-art facility and many different types of users and applications," said Lori Glasser-Seinera, vice president, Digital Media at American Airlines Center. "We are finding the benefits of a secure, centrally controlled wireless system are limitless for our guests and those involved in facility operations."
Aruba's next generation wireless LAN (WLAN) system is initially being used to support a myriad of applications. Uses will include:
- Secure "in-seat concessions" that will let fans order food and other items from their seats.
- Real-time asset management from mobile workers to improve productivity with hand held devices.
- 180 wireless surveillance cameras for security officers to monitor unviewed areas.
- Hot spot public Wi-Fi access in select arena locations.
"For large-scale deployments such as these, the operational expense associated with deploying the technology far outweighs the equipment costs," said Joe Heinlein, IT director at American Airlines Center. "Aruba's system was built to address this issue and effectively guts these operational and deployment costs." Heinlein noted three important factors to reducing Wi-Fi operational expense:
- The ability to simply add wireless capacity wherever there are open network ports
- Seamless systems integration using a self configuring WLAN system that automatically creates a wireless overlay atop any L2/L3 wired network without any logical or physical reconfiguration
- Centralized control of individual users, security policies and RF parameters
"Unlike anything we've seen, Aruba's WLAN system gives us granular access controls for different users along with different security profiles that can be automatically assigned upon authentication. This is truly a unique and thoroughly thought through network system product, not an RF toy," Heinlein added.
Heinlein noted that given the size of the facility and installation at AA Center, they are now able to troubleshoot and tune the network from a single point without manual intervention. "This is huge for us," said Heinlein. "But equally as important is having multiple levels of security and centralized management controls that let us have complete visibility into and control over the Wi-Fi network from anywhere."
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About American Airlines Center
American Airlines Center includes the best amenities available for sports and entertainment. Developed by Hillwood and Thomas O. Hicks, America Airlines Center was designed by the architectural firm David M. Schwarz Architectural Services, which also designed Ameriquest Field in Arlington. American Airlines Center is a grand complex with sweeping vistas, striking size and inviting passages. Features include five concourses, 142 luxury suites and room for 20,000 guests.
About Center Operating Company
Center Operating Company was formed by the owners of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars to build and operate American Airlines Center.
Media Contact:
David Callisch
Aruba Wireless Networks
408-504-5487
dcallisch@arubanetworks.com
Rick Ericson
For America Airlines Center
214-706-6000
rick@lemastergroup.com
Aruba Wireless Networks is a trademark of Aruba Wireless Networks all trademarks of their respective companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.