Wi-Fi Arrays to Serve Densely-Packed Event Venues With 3,000 Attendees -- Each Toting, on Average, Two Mobile Devices -- and Will Allow Seamless Roaming
AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - Mar 8, 2013) - Xirrus®, the leader in high-performance wireless networks, and Alpha Omega Wireless, an integrator of broadband wireless network technology and complete end-to-end wireless backhaul solutions, today announced that the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, a premier showcase of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies, will use Xirrus Wi-Fi arrays to provide wireless coverage at SXSW 2013. IT staff for the event, to be held March 8-17 in Austin, Texas, will deploy Xirrus Arrays across mission-critical event venues to provide comprehensive reach and coverage for attendees. Event organizers predict that attendees will carry, on average, two mobile devices each, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Working with Xirrus partner Alpha Omega Wireless, SXSW first deployed Xirrus Arrays for high-density venues at its Interactive Kickoff Party in 2012, supporting up to 2,000 mobile devices simultaneously and accommodating the surging demand for wireless social media communications at the event.
Xirrus Arrays use multiple AP's with sector antennas to distribute Wi-Fi signals, in much the same way as cellular antennas, allowing for maximum output and better RF channel control. Further simplifying the wireless architecture, Xirrus Arrays operate at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, allowing SXSW site planners to map mobile devices with 802.11a 5GHz capability onto the 5GHz wavelengths, reducing demand for 802.11b/g 2.4GHz service. Virtually all second-generation mobile devices are designed for optimum operation at 5GHz.
"Each Xirrus Array has its own integrated controller, eliminating the costs and architectural complexity of using centralized Wi-Fi controllers," said Joe Wargo, president of Alpha Omega Wireless, who managed the infrastructure site plan in tandem with SXSW's IT staff.
Creating Xirrus-based hotspots proved to be a routine, reliable approach to adding bandwidth virtually on demand. Xirrus Arrays house up to 16 AP's, simplifying network architecture by allowing a single Array to replace many discrete AP's. Now, with the ease of provisioning a series of Xirrus hotspots, IT staff for SXSW will be equipped to establish seamless roaming within major venues at the event, eliminating the need for attendees to manually reconnect at each event venue.
SXSW has expanded to blanket virtually the entire city of Austin with its presence. Event officials said that wireless mobility has become even more critical in ensuring a dynamic, media-rich experience for its staff, performers, and attendees. "SXSW has grown beyond all predictions, and wireless service must provide visitors the wired-like experience they enjoy today, but without the complexity and high cost," said Scott Wilcox, Director of Technology for SXSW.
"Scaling the infrastructure for an event with the hyper-growth of South By Southwest can create many unforeseeable demands," said Steven Wastie, VP of Marketing for Xirrus. "But in scaling the vital communications infrastructure to support one of the music industry's most heralded events, nothing can be left to chance. We gratefully acknowledge the trust that South By Southwest has placed in Alpha Omega Wireless and Xirrus."
About South By Southwest
SXSW 2013, the world's leading music industry event, offers attendees the opportunity to explore the future of the music industry during the day at panels, talks, the Trade Show, Music Gear Expo and other conference activities at the Austin Convention Center. At night, the absolute best mix of musical performances from over 2,000 regional, national and international acts will take place at the nighttime music festival. Altogether, SXSW presents unmatched networking opportunities, career-building conference programming and over 100 stages of music for showcasing bands and conference attendees. SXSW Music takes place Tuesday, March 12 - Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Austin, Texas. For more information on every aspect of SXSW and to register to attend, please go to http://www.sxsw.com.
About Alpha Omega Wireless, Inc.
("AO Wireless") is a leading integrator of complete end-to-end wireless backhaul networking technology and solutions. Alpha Omega Wireless provides wireless site surveys, feasibility studies, engineering, spectrum analysis, path calculations, design, wireless installation, equipment sales, radio repair and maintenance, support, troubleshooting, and ongoing management & monitoring of point to point wireless links, point to multipoint wireless systems, WiMax backhaul, LTE, Wi-Fi, and wireless mesh. As well as SCADA telemetry radio, wireless video surveillance, and indoor RF. Alpha Omega Wireless works with unlicensed wireless Ethernet bridges and licensed microwave links.
About Xirrus, Inc.
Xirrus is the leading provider of high-performance wireless networks. Xirrus' Array-based solutions perform under the most demanding circumstances with wired-like reliability and superior security. The Xirrus wireless solutions provide a vital strategic business and IT infrastructure advantage to the education, healthcare, government and enterprise industries that depend on wireless to operate business-critical applications. Headquartered in Thousand Oaks, CA, Xirrus is a privately held company that designs and manufactures its products and solutions in the USA. For more information please visit: http://www.xirrus.com and follow us on Twitter: @Xirrus.
Xirrus is a trademark or registered trademarks of Xirrus. South By Southwest and SXSW are registered trademarks of South By Southwest. Other trade names used in this document are or may be the property of their respective owners.