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The client was a performing arts center that is the focus of cultural activity in northwest Atlanta. Built in 2007, the performing arts center is home to a 2,750-seat performing arts venue and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. The client hosts conventions, trade shows, meetings, and other large gatherings across more than 320,000 square feet of exhibition, ballroom and meeting space. Since construction in 1994, more than 10 million guests have visited the location.
The Solution
EarthLink Business scalable fixed wireless solution
The Results
A reliable, high-speed solution that fits any event needs and more
This is where EarthLink Business arrived on the scene. Several touring groups had contacted the local ISP regarding temporary broadband installation at their location. With the knowledge that there would be no construction or associated costs, the EarthLink Business team began working with the building owners to configure a fixed wireless link that could be adjusted based on the bandwidth requirements of future events.
As time progressed and scores of visitors benefited from fixed wireless connectivity, the opportunity to directly support the client came about. The organization required two separate circuits to support the parking system and building management system.
The specifications for the two circuits were clear – they must be dedicated, and they must be isolated from each other and the rest of the facilities’ network infrastructure to protect customer data. The client’s IT Manager pointed out that he had considered other options but highlighted the flexibility of fixed wireless versus wired solutions as a major factor.
“The main reason we chose EarthLink Business was because we already had a good working relationship,” the IT manager said. “Even though we were yet to use the service directly, a lot of our clients use fixed wireless as a primary circuit or for redundancy, so we worked together on a lot of installations at our facilities. Not only that, but the flexibility of installation was also a key selling point as well. With it being microwave versus fiber we were able to remove construction costs.”
"EarthLink Business has always been able to provide everything we’ve needed to meet these large-scale demands."
Off the back of a long-standing relationship, two permanent 20 Mbps x 20 Mbps fixed wireless circuits were installed. The first dedicated 20 Mbps x 20 Mbps circuit was configured in 2016 to support BMS applications, including ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems and security systems. If there are any issues with this connection, visitors to the facilities would soon know about it.
The second 20 Mbps x 20 Mbps circuit was installed at the client’s 1,000-space parking lot. The installation of an isolated circuit allowed the the client to move towards Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance, allowing meters to accept credit cards and making the process of paying for parking far more straightforward for visitors.
Fortunately, there have been no problems, and the client has only good words to share about the service and his experience with EarthLink Business.
“We haven’t had any problems or challenges,” he said. “Over the past five years, I’ve worked with EarthLink Business on a regular basis and only had one issue. That was resolved within 20 minutes. The service has been super reliable. We even had one event during the ice storm a while ago. I went up to check the microwave receiver dish and it was frozen solid, but the service was still working perfectly!”
With only two permanent circuits, the client has completed countless installations for various shows and multi-million-dollar productions.
“EarthLink Business has always been able to provide everything we’ve needed to meet these large-scale demands,” the client IT manager said. “Realistically, I can’t think of anything they could improve upon.”
The client was a performing arts center that is the focus of cultural activity in northwest Atlanta. Built in 2007, the performing arts center is home to a 2,750-seat performing arts venue and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. The client hosts conventions, trade shows, meetings, and other large gatherings across more than 320,000 square feet of exhibition, ballroom and meeting space. Since construction in 1994, more than 10 million guests have visited the location.
980 Hammond Drive, Ste 400
Atlanta, GA 30328
