DGP’s CEO Steve Dutto said the optimization of the DAS will be finished during May
California-based DAS Group Professionals (DGP) has completed the construction of a distributed antenna system project in Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicaco Cubs, the firm’s President Steve Dutto told RCR Wireless News.
“DAS construction was completed in late March 2018. Optimization will be completed this month. The DAS includes over 400 antennas, 11.2 miles of coax, and 250 remotes,” Dutto said.
The executive explained that the DAS has 22 zones that provide coverage throughout the ballpark, the plaza adjacent to the ballpark called Gallagher Way, a multi-use plaza building (where the Cubs’ executive offices are located as well as other tenants including Starbuck’s) and Hotel Zachary.
Dutto also said that T-Mobile US, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon are involved in the project.
He also said that DAS Group Professionals used Liverpool, N.Y-based JMA Wireless’ Teko platform for the implementation. The Teko DAS is a multi-band, multi-carrier modular solution, which provides cellular coverage and capacity for indoor and outdoor environments. One of its main components, the rack mounted master unit (MU), combines different high-speed wireless technologies, such as LTE and UMTS, with multiple bands to serve the various needs of the environment.
“Every project is important to us. The technology and DAS strategies are always changing, so no effort is ever the same. Of all the large venue projects, this one let us show off how stealthy we can make a system. The aesthetics of this location called for absolute focus on having no visual impact. We were able to do that without impacting performance,” the executive said.
“We have built many DAS systems over the years with our most notable systems being Levi’s stadium, Golden 1 Arena and Candlestick Park. Unique to all of our DAS systems is that they are owned by the venue and designed, maintained and managed by DGP as the venues DAS partner. Each of these venues is regarded as the most technologically advanced stadium in its respective sport.” Dutto added.
Dutto said that the company did not face any challenges in the technology front during the execution phase of this recent DAS implementation in Chicago. “We didn’t encounter any significant technology challenges during the design and implementation phase of the project. The various phases of the ballpark construction affected how and when we were able to construct the DAS, but those nuances didn’t affect the technical implementation of the DAS. The client was well organized and we are used to working on a venue at the same time as others. It’s all about communication and doing a really solid job with advance logistics.”
