ROYAL OAK – Cobo Center has spent $2 million to upgrade its Wi-Fi network, with some 400 different access points, that will handle 32,000 individual sessions simultaneously. Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center, talks about what this will mean for the North American International Auto Show in January, with the first test coming during the press preview days when 5000 reporters try to file stories digitally.
The Wi-Fi updates are part of the $279 million, a complete digital upgrade was performed that included a broadcast studio, Internet and an extensive fiber network all packaged under the catchy name, Cobo Center Technology Services.
NAIAS, Cobo Center’s largest annual event, peaked Wi-Fi usage last year during Press Days at 14,640 unique users, an increase of 62 percent the previous year. The current WiFi system in Cobo is an Aruba 802.11ac wireless network designed to accommodate 32,000 devices simultaneously. Discovery during pre-event planning may reveal estimated high usage, in which case, the Technology Services department is prepared to add more APs to smooth out the user’s experience and allow for a greater number of guests and their wireless devices to access the Internet at ever-increasing speeds. Full customer use of WiFi service has always been free throughout Cobo Center.
To learn more, click on https://soundcloud.com/podcastdetroit/m2-episode-62-cobo-rewired-claude-molinari
