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wiredInUSA - October 2016
MAKING
THENEWS
Oilers ensure no wi-fi
slip-ups!
Edmonton Oilers’ home arena,
Rogers Place, is said to contain
enough wiring to “wrap around
the world” following the installation
of 417 wi-fi antennas around the
building.
The communications technology
in the arena is described as
“state-of-the-art”, including what
appear to be metal boxes built into
handrails in the lower bowl that are
actually wi-fi antennas.
Rogers
Communications
Inc
president Guy Laurence, said: “The
one thingwireless networks don’t like
is steel and, as you look around the
stadium, you will see there’s 9,000
metric tonnes of steel. There was
quite a design issue for us to provide
excellent
wireless
coverage.”
Rogers has invested $15 million in
the facility and the surrounding Ice
District, Mr Laurence said. “Because
it’s the newest stadium in North
America, it’s naturally got the
newest of everything,” he added.
He estimates that the hardware
will last five to ten years, while
the software can be upgraded
constantly.
Rogers made changes even before
the doors opened, switching all
the TVs it has provided – including
48 in the SportsNet Club – to
high-definition 4K as the company
became one of the world’s largest
producers of 4K content.
“We can keep the stadium up to
date for years and years and years,”
Mr Laurence added.
INDEX