Communications infrastructure and services provider ExteNet Systems sees sport venues in the U.S. as key areas to be considered by cities for the future deployment of 5G service, Greg Spraetz,?SVP of the real estate solutions group at ExteNet Systems, told In-Building Tech.
?Sporting events draw a multitude of visitors to any city. Mega events like the Big Game propel network investment years in advance. The network investment is not limited to the venue or stadium ? it permeates to the surrounding areas, hotels, and other areas that people will visit or travel to during the mega events,? the executive said.
?Additionally, the long-term positive impacts of the big game day mean that the technology deployed and investments made by the carriers and us remain long after the event has happened which is very valuable to the city and visitors,? he added.
Spraetz also said that sports venues typically have multi-carrier networks and have the capacity and coverage needs to demand the newest technologies such as 5G. ExteNet Systems designs, builds and operate networks in stadiums and has already deployed these networks in over 30 mega-stadiums across the U.S.
?The latest deployment is the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, home of the NBA?s Milwaukee Bucks. We are currently working on several other opportunities,? Spraetz said. ?We are technology agnostic ? however, typical technologies involved include fiber and DAS/small cells for mobility services and edge networks for the content and network intelligence. We are also a trusted advisor and consultant for the venue and team ownership and provide managed service as a solution,? he continued. ?We have a 24/7 NOC which we utilize for all network monitoring before, during and after events. The network needs to be ready for AR/VR and for HD-quality instant replays on-demand on the mobile network,? he added.
The executive said that sport venues in the U.S. are fully aware of the benefits of implementing 5G-ready equipment and solutions.
?How we help them achieve those benefits in the best way possible is an important issue as well. 5G requires fiber to the edge ? in newer builds we are pulling fiber all the way and prepping the network for 5G. In prior builds, we are working on the plan to extend the fiber,? Spraetz added. The executive also highlighted that ExteNet Systems has a proof-point of a 5G-ready network at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
?There is a huge opportunity for us to get in front of our existing and potential venue customers to discuss the benefits of 5G and CBRS, as I think the venues are becoming aware of the benefits 5G will bring,” he said.
