Hawai‘i Convention Center Improves Connectivity For Public Safety, Center Users

Photo by Cameron Brooks

The Hawai‘i Convention Center has announced new connectivity upgrades to improve the 21st-Century guest experience at meetings and events. AT&T 5G is now live at the center, offering users fast speeds and more immersive experiences for entertainment and productivity applications that include hybrid events, telepresence, augmented reality, social media, video streaming services, digital conference badges and more.

“5G is a cutting-edge mobile technology that will help transform both consumer and business experiences at the Hawai‘i Convention Center,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “Now meeting organizers, visitors and staff alike can access content faster than before, whether planning event layouts, livestreaming keynote speaker remarks or processing mobile concession payments. 5G is a world-class technology for world-class events.”

In addition to increased data speeds compared to previous generations of wireless technology, AT&T 5G also decreases latency. Latency is the time it takes between sending and receiving information. For conventions this will mean smoother connectivity reducing lags. AT&T 5G users will benefit from the improved service automatically while at the center.

Keeping First Responders Connected

Public safety at the center now has access to new wireless and two-way radio communications capabilities. FirstNet®, Built with AT&T – the only network built with and for America’s first responders – is helping connect first responders to the critical information they need to stay mission-ready. With FirstNet, first responders can talk, text, send pictures and stream video throughout the center to help enhance their situational experience.

A new public safety distributed antenna system (DAS) radio network has also been installed in collaboration with Boingo Wireless, the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s connectivity provider. Also known as an Emergency Responder Radio Communication System, the DAS network provides a dedicated public safety radio channel, available throughout the 1.1 million square-foot facility, for first responder communications. This radio network provides an added layer of safety for guests and ensures best-in-class public safety measures at the center. In addition, Boingo has enhanced the two-way radio system throughout the Center with four dedicated channels available to security and operations teams.

“The safety of our guests, staff and communities is our top priority,” continued Orton. “We are pleased to upgrade our wireless infrastructure to better facilitate first responder communications.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center has worked closely with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) to implement forward-thinking health and safety protocols. The Center serves as a temporary public shelter during hurricanes and other emergencies, is home to HTA’s hub to communicate with the visitor industry during statewide emergencies, and has hosted interagency operations with federal, state, and city partners ranging from contact tracing to housing and unemployment assistance.

“We applaud the Hawai‘i Convention Center for its commitment to innovative technologies that enhance safety protocols and make connectivity more immersive,” said Michael J. Zeto III, chief commercial officer at Boingo. “5G wireless technologies are the backbone of advanced, intelligent venues. Boingo is proud to do our part to design, launch and manage fast, seamless and resilient communications infrastructure.”

For more information, visit HawaiiConvention.com.