Boingo Wireless(NASDAQ: WIFI) has announced its selection as the exclusive neutral host distributed antenna system (DAS) and Wi-Fi provider for the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium and Cadet Field House, home of the Air Force Falcons’ NCAA Division I sports teams.
Boingo will design, install and manage integrated small cell networks in both facilities, designed to significantly improve wireless connectivity for fans and staff. Boingo says its neutral host DAS model maximizes carrier participation and provides ample coverage for the venues’ cumulative capacity of more than 56,000 spectators, even at the height of a game or event. Boingo will also manage Wi-Fi advertising and sponsorship services for the venues via its Boingo Media group.
“Boingo has unique expertise in both large-scale network design and management, and in deploying wireless solutions for military personnel, making them an ideal partner for our Air Force Academy Athletic facilities,” comments Dermot Coll, CEO for the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation. “The new DAS and Wi-Fi systems will enhance the game day experience for our fans and campus visitors, and will open up future opportunities for us to engage with Falcons fans directly via their favorite mobile devices.”
See: White paper examines neutral-host DAS deployments
Boingo notes that the combined capacity of the Wi-Fi and multi-layered DAS networks will provide full coverage for the stadium and field house, allowing spectators to share their experiences via video, photos and social networks real time. With capacity for more than 46,000 fans, Falcon Stadium is home to both the Falcons football team and the Air Force Academy's graduation each spring. The Cadet Field House, one of the premier athletic facilities in the U.S., is home to an indoor track, ice hockey arena and basketball’s Clune Arena.
“Our new long-term agreement with the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation gives us another opportunity to serve airmen, and to provide them with the best possible connectivity experience,” says Doug Lodder, Boingo Wireless' vice president of business development. “We’ll bring our network management experience for large-scale NFL stadiums like Soldier Field and our relationships with Tier 1 carriers to the Academy athletic arenas to deliver a major league wireless experience, and a ‘one-stop shop’ solution to the Athletic Corporation.”
Boingo is a notable provider of small cell networks at large universities and major league stadiums, including Chicago’s Soldier Field, University of Arizona’s Arizona Stadium, and Pinnacle Bank Arena, home of the University of Nebraska’s Huskers basketball team. Boingo also has global agreements with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) to deploy Boingo Broadband and IPTV services at Air Force, Army and Marine Corps bases worldwide, delivering high-speed wireless Internet and IP television to our nation’s troops.
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