Orlando convention center getting a WiFi upgrade

Jan. 16, 2019
Smart City Networks, a provider of technology services for the convention industry, recently began the installation of an upgraded WiFi network ...

Smart City Networks, a provider of technology services for the convention industry, recently began the installation of an upgraded WiFi network at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), in Orlando, FL, using access points from Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO).

"These technology updates focus on enhancing the experience of our attendees," said Jessie Allen, the interim executive director at the OCCC. "With all of the other campus improvements that we have made over the past year, Smart City's massive network upgrade will keep us ahead of our competition for years to come."

More than 3,100 Cisco access points will be installed, all having 802.11AC Wave 2 WiFi capability. Device capacity will increase by 50,000 to allow up to 64,000 concurrent devices online. With the support of its sister company, Smart City Telecom based in Orlando, the upgraded bandwidth capabilities will include a redundant network backbone operating at 20 Gbps as well as 40 Gbps of redundant Internet connections.

"To say we're excited, is a huge understatement," said Mark Haley, president of Smart City Networks. "The capabilities of this new network will keep the Orange County Convention Center ahead of the game as event planners' technology needs continue to grow."

With more than 1 million linear feet of CAT-6 cable to be installed, the project is expected to take a crew of 26 technicians working full-time for a year.