Aug 6 2013
SMG Europe, the worldwide leader in venue management, On-Communications, the arena communications specialists and Extricom, the award winning enterprise wireless LAN (WLAN) provider for large public venues, today announced their partnership to provide a market-leading WLAN solution for the new first direct Arena in the heart of West Yorkshire, UK.
Last week the arena was road tested by global superstar Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band with their only indoor UK show of 2013. The 13,000 seat venue is the latest arena in SMG’s impressive portfolio and was hailed by Billboard as the number one ‘Venue To Watch’ across the world in 2013. As part of its state-of-the-art construction, SMG Europe chose Extricom’s UK Large Venue partner, On-Communications to provide the arena with Extricom’s large public venue WLAN network.
Installed and deployed in the first direct Arena for the pre-launch event was a dedicated wireless LAN with exceptionally high bandwidth, wire-like reliability and seamless mobility throughout the venue’s production, press, artist areas and crew facilities – all backed by Extricom’s patented Channel Blanket™ technology.
Ben Williams, General Manager, first direct Arena commented “It’s our intention to provide the richest digital and mobile experience possible to artists and fans. After the effective first-phase Wi-Fi launch for our pre-launch night, I’m pleased to confirm our plans for full arena Wi-Fi. Our partnership with On-Communications and Extricom is an integral element in delivering first-class wireless access and services to our stakeholders as we look to stay in the forefront of arena services,”
Ian Roberts, Managing Director of On-Communications commented, “We are honored to extend our relationship with SMG Europe to the first direct Arena. These are exciting times for mobile digital services in music and entertainment. Delivering on those plans over the coming years with SMG in such a fabulous venue is terrifically exciting.”
Rony Homossany, Extricom’s VP Sales International, commented, “Extricom and our UK Large Venue partner, On-Communications were delighted to be chosen for the first direct Arena. We thank SMG Europe for again selecting Extricom’s LPV (Large Public Venue) Wi-Fi solution for their newest project.
Following our award for “Product Innovation” at the coveted international Stadium Business Awards earlier this year, it is further validation of Extricom’s technological lead in LPV Wi-Fi. We are delighted to be working with SMG Europe as leaders in the field”
James Allen, General Manager - Phones4u Arena – Manchester commented “The SMG Europe, On-Communications and Extricom partnership started in Manchester where they quickly demonstrated their ability to offer connectivity solutions for large capacity venues. At the Phones 4u Arena we can currently connect 8,000 people simultaneously and with On-Communications and Extricom’s assistance this will increase to over 12,000 people by the end of the year; making them the natural choice for the first direct Arena project.”
The first direct Arena will be officially opened on September 4th by Elton John and his band followed by shows amongst others, Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli and Cirque Du Soleil. The new purpose-built first direct Arena Leeds is what the UK’s third largest city has been missing for decades, as it looks to revolutionise live music in the North.