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TAMPA ST. PETE TIMES FORUM TO DEPLOY EXTENDED COVERAGE WI-FI
SYSTEM POWERED BY VIVATO AND UNLEASHED SYSTEMS
Wireless Broadband Comes to the Home of the National Hockey League
Champion Tampa Bay Lightning; Indoor Network to Benefit 150+ Annual
Events;
Outdoor Network Planned for Local Businesses
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - August 23, 2004 - Vivato, a cellular
Wi-Fi systems infrastructure company, announced today that the St.
Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, is deploying a high-speed wireless
network powered by the Vivato 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi architecture.
Unleashed Systems, a global provider of wireless services, is providing
the systems integration for the efficient broadband network, which
leverages just two Vivato base stations and eight pico cells to
provide complete wireless coverage of the 660,000 square foot, seven-level
facility. With 80 luxury boxes and a seating capacity of more than
20,000, the St. Pete Times Forum hosts more than 150 events annually,
including National Hockey League (NHL) champion Tampa Bay Lightning
games, concerts, family events, ice shows, the circus, and indoor
sports.
"We have transformed the St. Pete Times Forum from a hot spot
into a hot zone. From our most loyal Lightning fan to a business
executive hosting an important meeting, we are enhancing the fan
experience by providing constant high-speed Internet access anywhere
spectators roam in the Forum," said David Everett, vice president
of MIS for the St. Pete Times Forum. "Besides the obvious appeal
for the event fan, the Vivato/Unleashed system also provides another
strong revenue and marketing channel for us as we seek innovative
ways to attract new fans to every event we host - from hockey to
concerts to the circus."
Greater Coverage, Easier Installation, Lower Cost
Although some stadiums and entertainment venues have deployed traditional
Wi-Fi systems with dozens of access points, the St. Pete Times Forum
is the first sports and entertainment venue in the country to deploy
an extended-area cellular Wi-Fi system. Leveraging just two Vivato
base stations and eight pico cells, the St. Pete Times Forum will
offer wall-to-wall wireless broadband connectivity wherever spectators
roam around the 660,000 square foot, seven-level facility. By contrast,
it would have taken more than 55 traditional access points (APs)
to provide similar coverage in the Forum. What's more, Unleashed
Systems only requires two days to install the system and ongoing
network maintenance costs are 90 percent less than similar service
associated with a traditional AP-based Wi-Fi system.
"When you do the math, it's a no-brainer," said Denny
McCaughey, CEO of Unleashed Systems. "Vivato's efficient, high-capacity,
extended coverage Wi-Fi system has enabled us to provide the most
optimal wireless broadband solution for large entertainment venues.
We are capitalizing on this unique opportunity by not only providing
the Forum with the most advanced system of its kind in the country,
but also by offering a business model that generates new revenue
streams for our company and the Forum alike."
The Forum's Wi-Fi hot zone service will initially be free and open
to anyone who can access the system with a laptop, PDA or other
mobile device. Eventually, the Forum plans to sell the service on
an individual, per-event basis or as part of season ticket packages.
Future plans might also include computer terminal kiosks at various
locations throughout the Forum where spectators can surf the Web
while the Vivato/Unleashed Systems network provides the wireless
backhaul for high-speed Internet access.
Unleashed Systems plans to drive additional value for its shared
revenue model with the Forum by installing two to three outdoor
Vivato base stations on the roof of the Forum, extending Wi-Fi coverage
across a one to three mile radius around downtown Tampa. The extended
coverage provided by Vivato's cellular Wi-Fi base station and phased
array antenna technology will "light up" dozens of small
businesses and restaurants in the popular Channelside area of Tampa,
enabling those establishments to become wireless hot spots and enjoy
the associated benefits of being able to market high-speed Internet
connectivity to their patrons.
"With the St. Pete Times Forum embracing our breakthrough extended
coverage Wi-Fi system, we expect a domino effect of other sports
and entertainment venues following the Forum's lead and installing
similar systems; in fact, Unleashed Systems has several other deals
already in process," said Kevin Ryan, vice president of marketing
and business development at Vivato. "Together we offer a complete
package, as Unleashed brings proven solutions integration expertise,
and we provide the best cellular Wi-Fi technology on the market
today. From rural America to city-wide hot zones and college campuses
to posh luxury boxes at the Forum, Vivato is delivering ubiquitous,
cost-effective wireless broadband to previously untapped markets."
About Unleashed Systems, Inc.
Unleashed Systems, Inc. (USI) is spearheading the wireless broadband
evolution. With a team of professionals dedicated to providing unparalleled
wireless freedom to all, Unleashed Systems delivers turnkey cutting-edge
wireless products designed to create wireless independence and enhance
productivity. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, Unleashed Systems
also has a Sarasota-based research and development team with 50+
years' combined wireless engineering experience. For more information
about Unleashed Systems, visit www.unleashedsystems.com.
About Vivato
Vivato is a wireless systems infrastructure company with technology
that is based upon an innovative signal processing and antenna design.
Vivato's unique system architecture enables cost-effective large-scale
indoor and outdoor wireless deployments at hotels, airports, seaports,
warehouses, universities, and enterprises, and in cities and towns.
Vivato is headquartered in San Francisco, with a research and development
center in Spokane, Washington. For more information, please visit
www.vivato.com or call 415.495.1111.
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