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
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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