The customer
The Vancouver Convention Centre is one of Canada’s largest and the only two-time winner of the prestigious International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) award for World’s Best Convention Centre. Over the course of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Centre’s two buildings served as the Main Press Centre and the International Broadcast Centre, temporarily making it the world’s largest broadcasting venue.
The need
- A highly-available Wi-Fi (802.11) network for use by conference exhibitors, guests, and facility operations
- The ability to provide Internet access for guests in addition to a network for mobile data applications (e.g. wireless point-of-sale) and wireless voice handsets
- Complete wireless and data coverage extending over 471,000 ft2 of exhibition and meeting spaces, walkways and plazas
- The network capacity to handle traffic from five hundred events a year, some of which would exceed 10,000 delegates
As one of the primary means of Internet connectivity for most exhibitors, Wi-Fi availability is critical to the operation of Convention Centre business. Losing an hour or a day of connectivity or conference time simply is not an option for customers.
The solution
- Over 350 wireless mesh access points deployed to provide complete coverage, RF network resiliency, and density required for Wi-Fi voice applications
- 24/7 managed Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) and off-site administration of the Wireless LAN. The wireless solution actively detects, classifies and defends against wireless threats, including rogue access points and unauthorized device access
The Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC
The results
- An ever-present and secure Wi-Fi network available to Vancouver Convention Centre customers and staff
- Increased efficiencies, security, and maximum uptime via a centrally managed wireless service
“Bell’s ability to provide expertise with sophisticated wireless technology and work collaboratively with us has been instrumental to the project’s success.”
- Catherine Wong, Vice-President Operations, Vancouver Convention Centre
Ultra-reliable Wi-Fi (802.11) network designed, deployed, and maintained for a world-class conference facility
In April 2009, the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre opened its West building expansion to the public. The West building hosted the International Broadcast Centre for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Over 7,000 broadcasters accessed the Bell network temporarily making it the world’s largest broadcasting facility.
During the planning of the West building, the requirement was identified for a comprehensive wireless network to provide voice and data services to conference exhibitors, visitors, and centre operations. The new wireless network would extend to the existing East building for a total of 471,000 ft2 of coverage, in addition to outdoor coverage. A reliable and secure wireless network was considered critical, as 802.11 client devices would be the primary means of network access.
As Canada’s leading provider of information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to enterprises and governments, Bell understood the complexity of implementing a commercial-grade Wi-Fi solution and began working with Vancouver Convention Centre planners as a cohesive unit since day one.
Wi-Fi design
As with every Wi-Fi project, unique requirements surfaced as the design and deployment process unfolded. The architects of the West building established specific aesthetic requirements to leave sightlines unobstructed. Bell’s solution consisted of custom-fabricated masking in combination with appropriate access point installation techniques. The result is a large-scale wireless deployment that nevertheless remains nearly invisible to visitors. The installation met with full architectural approval and allows the open, naturally lit space of the West building to be fully appreciated.
Resilient architecture
To address network uptime requirement concerns, Bell network architecture incorporates redundancy at several levels. RF resilience was addressed with mesh networking technology, appropriate density, and strategic access point placement based on site surveys. The design also took into account building materials, which included metallic design elements throughout the building. In addition, an ultra-reliable supporting network with fail-over wireless controllers,
redundant fibre connections to two core networks, and multiple security provisions were incorporated.
Managed network
Finally, Bell’s Managed Wireless service continues to provide ongoing management to the network since it entered service in 2009. From its network operations centre, Bell manages network health, configuration and security with certified personnel, 24/7. The Managed Wireless service provides the Vancouver Convention Centre management with the peace of mind that infrastructure so critical to business will remain expertly managed and available at all times.
“Being able to maintain common, customer-oriented goals with Bell throughout the planning and deployment process have been critical to creating the world-class convention facility we have today.”
- Catherine Wong, Vice-President Operations, Vancouver Convention Centre
Bell services used:
- Wireless design and project management services
- Wireless infrastructure provisioning services
- Deployment and configuration services
- Managed Wireless service (24/7), firewall services, and intrusion detection
Recommendations
When planning a Wi-Fi network, engage expertise early in the process to ensure immediate and future requirements are adequately considered such as:
- Current and future device/application compatibility
- Security
- Network resilience
- RF quality
- Mobility requirements
For more information contact your Bell representative or visit bell.ca/enterprise.