Comcast Business (NASDAQ:CMCSA) has concluded two new deals, one with a data center in Kansa City and the other with the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.
Kansas City
In Kansas City, Comcast Business has entered into an agreement with Cavern Technologies, a wholesale data center. Through the collaboration, Cavern Technologies' customers will have access to an Ethernet fiber network from Comcast Business to support data storage and security. The deal extends Comcast Business' data center footprint to more than 600 locations around the country.
Cavern Technologies runs a 160,000-square-foot facility and custom data storage solutions for business customers of all sizes and industries. Its underground site is designed to protect critical information from the elements and keep assets cool. Cavern Technologies' data center is located 125 feet underground in a 3-million-square-foot facility and is SSAE 16 SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II certified.
"Comcast Business' commitment to our Kansas City region's technological infrastructure is a major component in helping us meet our customers' evolving needs," said Sean Khurana, Cavern Technologies president and COO. "Our customer base will now have more connectivity options and a robust suite of resources to enhance the reliable data management services they've come to know and expect from our facility."
"The exceptional reputation of Cavern Technologies' services in the Kansas City region is something we are thrilled to be associated with through the addition of our custom-built Ethernet fiber network," said Kalyn Hove, vice president of business services at Comcast Business. "Helping businesses prosper locally and across the country is our top priority, and we were excited to take on the challenge of developing productive, reliable infrastructure for more customers across one of the most technologically advanced regions in the nation."
Atlanta
In Atlanta, Comcast Business has reached an agreement with the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club to provide and manage the team's enterprise WiFi network at the new State Farm Arena, which is being renovated.
The network is intended to support Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena fans, increase venue connectivity and create more opportunities for digital experiences at live events. Comcast Business' WiFi solutions are designed to be scalable to meet the shifting network requirements necessary for the mixed-use facility.
"We view renovation as innovation," said Marcus Wasdin, chief information officer for the Atlanta Hawks. "This is the perfect opportunity to solidify a core component of the fan experience. Connectivity is the foundation to our digital initiatives where we seek to allow fans to enjoy the arena in new and immersive ways tailored to them. As an organization, we want to create a one-of-a-kind digital experience to engage fans, and this partnership with Comcast Business will provide the foundation for us to do so."
The enhanced WiFi capability includes almost double the number of hot spots and expanded gigabit speeds. Comcast Business' WiFi service is intended to support access gameday and venue functions including:
- Interaction with the newly launched Atlanta Hawks mobile app
- Purchase and management of tickets and parking
- Purchase of premium seat upgrades and experiences
- The ability to watch special content, get statistics, and participate in promotions
- Social media
The upgraded WiFi system is also intended to enhance the Atlanta Hawks' operations by supporting stadium technology and infrastructure, including point of sale (POS) systems, access controls, building management tools, and applications such as ticketing and wayfinding.
"Just as State Farm Arena has undergone a physical transformation, Comcast Business is a key foundation in its digital evolution by offering the technology to improve the fan experience and enhance operations on event days," said Comcast Regional Senior Vice President Doug Guthrie. "Fans have high expectations for seamless connectivity when attending games, concerts and other events. With faster WiFi, they can continue to do the things they love, like share pictures and videos, post on social media, and stream audio and video with ease."
