On-Communications & Extricom Powered Wi-Fi Connects SMG Europe's First Direct Arena and Bruce Springsteen

LEEDS, England, August 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

SMG Europe, the worldwide leader in venue management, On-Communications, the arena communications specialists and Extricom, the award winning enterprise wireless LAN (WLAN) provider for large public venues, today announced their partnership to provide a market-leading WLAN solution for the new first direct Arena in the heart of West Yorkshire, UK.

Last week the arena was road tested by global superstar Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band with their only indoor UK show of 2013. The 13,000 seat venue is the latest arena in SMG's impressive portfolio and was hailed by Billboard as the number one 'Venue To Watch' across the world in 2013. As part of its state-of-the-art construction, SMG Europe chose Extricom's UK Large Venue partner, On-Communications to provide the arena with Extricom's large public venue WLAN network.

Installed and deployed in the first direct Arena for the pre-launch event was a dedicated wireless LAN with exceptionally high bandwidth, wire-like reliability and seamless mobility throughout the venue's production, press, artist areas and crew facilities - all backed by Extricom's patented Channel Blanket™ technology.

Ben Williams, General Manager, first direct Arena commented "It's our intention to provide the richest digital and mobile experience possible to artists and fans. After the effective first-phase Wi-Fi launch for our pre-launch night, I'm pleased to confirm our plans for full arena Wi-Fi. Our partnership with On-Communications and Extricom is an integral element in delivering first-class wireless access and services to our stakeholders as we look to stay in the forefront of arena services,"  

Ian Roberts, Managing Director of On-Communications commented, "We are honored to extend our relationship with SMG Europe to the first direct Arena. These are exciting times for mobile digital services in music and entertainment. Delivering on those plans over the coming years with SMG in such a fabulous venue is terrifically exciting."

Rony Homossany, Extricom's VP Sales International, commented, "Extricom and our UK Large Venue partner, On-Communications were delighted to be chosen for the first direct Arena. We thank SMG Europe for again selecting Extricom's LPV (Large Public Venue) Wi-Fi solution for their newest project.

Following our award for "Product Innovation" at the coveted international Stadium Business Awards earlier this year, it is further validation of Extricom's technological lead in LPV Wi-Fi.  We are delighted to be working with SMG Europe as leaders in the field"  

James Allen, General Manager - Phones4u Arena - Manchester commented "The SMG Europe, On-Communications and Extricom partnership started in Manchester where they quickly demonstrated their ability to offer connectivity solutions for large capacity venues. At the Phones 4u Arena we can currently connect 8,000 people simultaneously and with On-Communications and Extricom's assistance this will increase to over 12,000 people by the end of the year; making them the natural choice for the first direct Arena project."

The first direct Arena will be officially opened on September 4^th by Elton John and his band followed by shows amongst others, Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli and Cirque Du Soleil. The new purpose-built first direct Arena Leeds is what the UK's third largest city has been missing for decades, as it looks to revolutionise live music in the North.

About SMG Europe

SMG Europe is a wholly owned subsidiary of SMG, the worldwide leader in venue management. Operating from the Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom, SMG Europe works on projects throughout Europe, the Middle East and Australasia. Our ownership and dedicated corporate support personnel coupled with SMG's industry experience provide the financial stability and leadership qualities to support an international network of entertainment, sport and meeting venues. SMG at its core is a professional management company who leverages the experience of managing & operating venues to provide consulting advice to owners, whether public or private, to deliver world-class venues on behalf of the numerous stakeholders we serve. Our success has been built on many local and national relationships and partnerships, including municipally-owned facilities, event producers, suppliers, architects, developers, sports teams and industry associations. For more information, visit: http://www.smg-europe.com

About On-Communications

On-Communications is a leader in the design, deployment and management of large scale Enterprise Class WiFi networks and mobile service overlays for arenas and major indoor venues.  We have more experience running large public venue WiFi events than any other UK business.  On-Communications is Extricom's UK partner for Large Public Venue specialist WiFi solutions.   Integrating mobile and internet services over arena WiFi networks leverages On-Communications experience as an IP systems integrator supplying voice, data and value added services to fast growing businesses and public sector organizations.  For more information, visit http://www.on-communications.com

About Extricom

Extricom is a manufacturer of next generation enterprise wireless LAN solutions, based on its Channel Blanket™ technology architecture. The Channel Blanket architecture provides wire-like reliability, high throughput, seamless mobility, unparalleled noise immunity, and is easy to install and maintain. In an era of intensive wireless usage powered by the market explosion of smart phones, iPads, iPods, tablets and other communication devices, voice, data, video, and location services are delivered with an always-on, robust and mobile Wi-Fi connection to any client, in any environment. Extricom Interference-Free™ WLAN is purpose-built to slash wireless complexity and future-proof your network for tomorrow's multi-service demands.

Extricom solutions are in use by customers operating in numerous industries worldwide, including Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Logistics and Warehousing, Retail and public venues. They have discovered the uncompromising performance, reliability and ease of ownership that are the hallmark of the Extricom WLAN. Extricom serves its growing global customer base through offices in the USA, Europe and Japan, and by working with a global network of distributors and partners. For more information, visit us at http://www.extricom.com.

Extricom Media Contacts:
Corporate, Lynn Kolevsohn, Extricom
E-mail: Corp.marketing@extricom.com
Americas: USA.Marketing@extricom.com
EMEA: EMEA.Marketing@extricom.com 
APAC: AP.Marketing@extricom.com
Tel: +972-3-7451000