Next-gen wireless network for PCEC

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) has selected Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE Aruba Networking to deliver state-of-the-art connectivity for Perth’s premier business event destination. By upgrading to a new Wi-Fi 6E infrastructure from HPE Aruba Networking, PCEC delivers event partners the opportunity to offer robust, high-density wireless performance to attendees throughout its facilities.

Customers in the competitive convention industry demand the best in wireless coverage and network performance. For venues like PCEC to maintain their leadership in the market they must ensure they can always deliver the best experience possible to event operators and their attendees. PCEC accommodates over 800,000 visitors over approximately 600 events per year.

‘Hero’ events are of particular interest to the entertainment and convention centre’s forward planning. Typically planned three to five years in advance and bringing significant tourism into a city, these events tender globally for venues. In recent years, tenders were beginning to ask for minimum technical specifications that were reaching the limit of existing PCEC capabilities. Having last updated its network services in 2017, PCEC undertook a rigorous evaluation process to prepare for its latest refresh. Through this, they found HPE Aruba Networking consistently emerged as the market leader, offering the best solutions for premier large venue experiences into the next decade.

“We have a clear vision for the future of PCEC and its capabilities,” said Brett Miell, Technology Manager, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“That meant looking at the absolute best in market and finding a partner who could deliver the best possible network at the right price. HPE Aruba Networking took our vision on board very quickly, offering unmatched solutions while being ready to integrate with wider technologies to give us our ideal outcome.”

PCEC requires careful network planning given its unique architectural design, featuring a long structure with metal roofing and a reinforced concrete construction. The wireless network design needs to overcome many interference factors while ensuring that all critical systems, such as point of sale, can maintain seamless access to connectivity.

With Wi-Fi 6E, PCEC can take advantage of the increased capacity, wider channels and significantly reduced signal interference of 6 GHz and the location-aware infrastructure of Open Locate. HPE Aruba Networking’s enterprise-grade Wi-Fi 6E solution set, which was the first Wi-Fi 6E solution introduced to the market, includes Aruba’s patented ultra tri-band filtering that dynamically adjusts the available channels to eliminate signal interference and performance degradation. The new Wi-Fi 6E APs will allow PCEC to centrally configure and automatically enforce role-based policies across the wired and wireless networks.

Additionally, the APs are IoT-ready with integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee support to make it easier to deploy and manage IoT, including asset tracking, security solutions and sensors.

HPE Aruba Networking will expand the number of access points operating throughout PCEC, while integrating with the client’s preferred infrastructure to build a bespoke solution package that fits the precise needs of PCEC management. HPE Aruba User Experience Insight (UXI) sensors will constantly monitor the network to ensure optimal performance in the midst of even the busiest events, with the ability to diagnose a range of issues and repair service automatically. PCEC is also deploying HPE Aruba Networking Central and HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass.

Image credit: iStock.com/evil_ss