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Paycor Stadium Delivers Record-Breaking Wi-Fi for Fans

CHALLENGE

From watching instant replays on their phones, engaging in social media, checking the status of other games, or even ordering food from their seats, fans expect to stay connected while watching their favorite team. To provide this level of fan experience, the Bengals engaged altafiber and CBTS to engineer and build a fiber-enabled Wi-Fi network that supports the growing connectivity demand of fans. However, the unique architecture of the stadium presented challenges in handling massive amounts of bandwidth necessary for the high number of concurrent users.

ENTER M S BENBOW

Large public venues (LPV) provide unique challenges in engineering. CBTS engaged MSB, a long-time partner, to design and implement both the LAN and Wi-Fi networks within the venue. MSB also managed the construction and commissioning of the HPE Aruba  Networking Wi-Fi 6 MU-MIMO-enabled access points, which were chosen for their seamless connectivity in LPVs. The new design included more than 1,600 access points, including 1,100 deployed in the stadium seating bowl.

To support the new access points within Paycor Stadium, the Bengals deployed a 40GbE network core that delivers the fastest Internet speeds possible for fans. Post implementation, CBTS and MSB provided game-day support to ensure the system worked as designed, ensuring customer expectations were delivered.

In addition, Palo Alto Networks firewalls provided predictable throughput for the high volume of traffic while protecting the Wi-Fi infrastructure.

RESULTS

Paycor Stadium now delivers a world-class Wi-Fi network that allows fans to engage and connect in record-breaking numbers. Take a look:

  • A 76% increase in unique device connections per game.
  • A 436% increase in maximum data rate, with average peak data rates reaching 10.7Gbps.
  • A 230% increase in data volume per game averaging 8.5TB transferred per game, with 12.8TB transferred during Sunday’s playoff game.
  • Playoff game traffic soared to 22.3Gbps, breaking the NFL’s previous record of 20.7Gbps.

“Paycor Stadium delivers a world-class Wi-Fi network that fans are using to the fullest extent. [The] record numbers and the growth we’ve seen all season emphasize the Bengals’ commitment to ensure everyone in the stadium has access to high-quality, fast and reliable internet using the latest Wi-Fi technology.” Elizabeth Blackburn, Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement, “Paycor Stadium Sets Wi-Fi Record During Bengals Playoff Game” Cincinnati Bengals News

 

Portions of this article were first published, March 24, 2023, on cbts.com. “Cincinnati Bengals contract with CBTS for stadium wireless implementation”

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