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Connectivity for the Tribal Gaming Industry

When a large tribal nation looked to invest in upgrading their network, they deliberately searched for a telecommunications engineering innovator. And that is exactly what they found in M S Benbow. Applying vast experience connecting large public venues and deploying the latest digital technologies for tech-savvy consumers, MSB brought their A-game.

MSB designed and executed a massive wireless network expansion with a combined Wi-Fi capacity of more than 130,000 users at the three casinos. Building on its relationships from previous marque entertainment complex projects, MSB partnered with Tier 1 technology company Aruba, a partner that has deployed high-density wireless networks and wayfinding systems for leading-edge facilities such as Chase Center, Vivint Smart Home Arena, and Saratoga Racecourse. Better still, this new state-of-the-art infrastructure project delivered on all three of the Choctaw Nation’s desired outcomes: quality, cost, and performance.

At the gaming property, MSB designed and deployed a BLE beacon pathway incorporating some 350 beacons throughout the gaming floor, shops and restaurants, as well as adjacent hotel towers. The new wayfinding system now provides guests with seamless location services to navigate the entire resort property and frees up employees’ time by directing customers throughout the sprawling facility.

MSB’s high-performance, high-density wireless network and location services system delivers leading-edge solutions for this tribal nation’s gaming properties, including:

  • High-density Wi-Fi capacity to allow over 130,000 concurrent visitors across three separate properties
  • Wayfinding technology that integrates emerging technologies to leverage Bluetooth architecture and provide location services on the gaming floor and resort towers
  • 1,590 Wi-Fi access points across three facilities, including a 3,000-seat theater

This project provided a unique set of challenges. Namely, all three projects were to be completed in the fast-paced, 24/7 world of casino operations. There was also the not-so-small obstacle of COVID-19 and social-distancing requirements.

The meticulous delivery and utter success of this leading-edge wireless network and BLE system have helped establish an ongoing relationship between MSB and the tribal market. Along these lines, MSB has since been awarded a Wi-Fi network deployment project for the world-class, $500 million expansion of a leading tribal nation gaming facility that will add 1,000 guest rooms, more than doubling the number of rooms in the process. The project also expects to increase the gaming floor by 80%. Upon completion in 2021, this will be the largest casino in the world and its Wi-Fi network will be twice its current capacity with the ability to serve 128,000 guests simultaneously.

Services Provided:

  • RF & Network Design
  • Technology Consulting
  • Wi-Fi Network Design & Engineering
  • Hardware Procurement
  • Project Management
  • Construction Management
  • Beacon Network Integration
  • PCP Server, DNS, and Firewall Configuration
  • Testing, Optimization & Commissioning
  • System Maintenance

 

Broadband Connectivity for Tribal Nations

It can be difficult for rural communities to find doctors and staff to serve their residents. This tribal nation provides housing to attract and retain competent provider staff, however, the residential neighborhood has only spotty satellite internet service. Native families living on remote reservations often rely on community libraries, schools, clinics, and tribal offices as sometimes their only source of a WI-FI signal, and many homes are located miles from the nearest access point.

Their main medical facility is the hub of healthcare services, covering the entire nation. MSB worked with the facility’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) and IT Director to modernize and improve the nation’s existing wireless internet network by leveraging existing telecommunications assets. The nation had built a wireless ISP fiber backhaul at the healthcare center and attempted to provide internet through three communication towers a few miles from the center, but achieved connectivity delivering only approximately 1 MG per second.

MSB focused its solution on adopting the most efficient and cost-effective means of connecting the healthcare provider housing to the hospital’s WISP. MSB assessed the existing communications towers and determined that grounding and power were deficient, and the cabinets suffered frequent failures due to the lack of air conditioning. MSB supported the nation’s grant application to capitalize on available pandemic recovery grant money to fund tower upgrades. The improvements would make the towers more resilient by replacing nodes, grounding and switching, installing air-conditioned cabinets, and an upgraded power supply to the towers. MSB also performed commissioning and startup of the network and will provide ongoing technical support and monitoring to ensure reliable connectivity.

Services Provided:

  • Engineering Assessment & Cost Analysis
  • Value & Consulting Engineering
  • Schedule & Budget Development
  • Grant Application Support
  • Tower Assessment & Upgrades
  • Hardware Research & Selection
  • Network Build & Integration
  • Permitting & Negotiations
  • Construction Management
  • Commissioning & Startup
  • As-Built Documentation
  • Ongoing System Maintenance & Support