The New Wells Fargo Center Announces New, Cutting Edge Wi-Fi Network
Nov 16, 2023
The New Wells Fargo Center today announced that the arena has partnered with Extreme Networks™, Inc., the Official Wi-Fi Analytics Provider of the NHL and a leader in cloud networking, to install Extreme Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E-ready systems to deliver high-speed, high-capacity, low latency connectivity for both fans and arena officials. In partnership with Comcast Business, the new Wi-Fi network, powered by nearly 450 Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E access points throughout the New Wells Fargo Center, will allow fans to seamlessly access mobile tickets, social media, online sports betting applications, mobile concessions and more. At the same time, the network will help the arena function more efficiently than ever, with fast, seamless Wi-Fi access for ticket scanners, portable card readers, staff communications, security cameras, and more.
“This new network will be a game changer for our fans, and they’ll benefit right away by faster, seamless access to mobile ticketing, mobile concessions, video streaming, and more,” said Phil Laws, President of the New Wells Fargo Center. “Throughout our $400 million transformation of the New Wells Fargo Center, we’re prioritizing investment in cutting-edge technology that will make a real difference for our fans, and this is a perfect example of that.”
“The New Wells Fargo Center is one of the world’s busiest and most advanced sports and entertainment venues, providing fans a modern, cutting-edge experience,” said Scott Cohen, Executive Director, Strategic Wireless Solutions, Comcast Business. “We’re proud to partner on this innovative Wi-Fi deployment. Our state-of-the-art network and connectivity solutions will enable a more connected and convenient game day experience for fans, as well as fast reliable back-end operations for Wells Fargo Center staff.”
Key Facts about Extreme Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E-ready systems
- Fast, Reliable Wi-Fi for Modern Fan Experiences: 450 Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E access points (APs), in addition to Extreme Universal Switches, are deployed across the arena ensuring consistent and reliable connectivity throughout each venue. With high-bandwidth Wi-Fi, fans will be able to seamlessly access mobile tickets, social media, online sports betting applications and mobile concessions. For arena operations teams, improved Wi-Fi will enable better connectivity for ticket scanners, portable card readers, staff communications, security cameras and help detect location-based information like the flow of foot traffic.
- Foundation for Future Technology Investments: Technology-reliant amenities like mobile tickets and self-serve checkouts are quickly becoming more common, and venues have begun to look at adopting new technology such as biometrics, AR and VR and in-seat mobile concessions. Extreme Wi-Fi solutions create a foundation to support and scale the network to meet these new demands and use cases, while Universal Switches enable IT teams to quickly swap out their OS depending on changing use cases so they can be agile and minimize future equipment costs.