We’re thrilled to announce Extenet has secured our second Globee® Award for Business Services in the 8th Annual 2023 Globee® Awards for American Business. We won Gold for our deployment of the first private wireless network at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, home of the San Antonio Spurs.
Why It Matters
During a recent concert at a major venue, musical artist Lizzo wanted to make an impromptu TikTok that incorporated her audience—but it almost didn’t happen.
“I’m not getting any reception, y’all,” she said, trying to get the app to comply.
She eventually found a signal and was able to record and upload the video, but this fleeting, innocuous moment perfectly illustrates the importance of wireless infrastructure in large venues for everyone involved—owners and stakeholders, fans and guests, athletes and artists alike.
Extenet’s Solution
Fortunately, Extenet, a leading privately-held provider of wireless and fiber digital infrastructure solutions, can all but prevent these kinds of connectivity lapses with the latest technology and our innovative solutions.
For example, Extenet secured a partnership with Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) to deliver the team’s first private wireless network to its home arena, the Frost Bank Center. This was an honor but also a challenge because the competition is fierce in the sports and entertainment industry to provide an amazing fan experience.
Studies have shown that many fans attend live events for the immersive and exciting atmosphere that extends past their seats and onto their mobile devices, made clear by the fact that sports venues have seen a 67% increase in data usage year over year. The complete stadium or arena experience aims to keep sports fans engaged and loyal, increasing pressure on competing venues to provide similar network power and reliability.
Extenet’s solution for the Frost Bank Center has revolutionized venue connectivity and the fan experience by providing more seamless on-site experiences, extending from ticketless entry to mobile point of sale (POS) transactions to improved security and beyond.
Check out some of the improvements Extenet is working towards delivering for SS&E and their guests:
- Ticketless entry
- Improved digital signage including digitally-enhanced, visual AR wayfinding
- Mobile POS and cashless transactions for food, beverages and merchandise
- Enhanced safety, surveillance and critical staff communications
- Streamlined back-of-house operations
Additionally, Extenet monitors and maintains the network with our 24/7/365 Network Operations Center (NOC), ensuring superior performance no matter when it’s needed.
The private 5G networks Extenet designs and deploys provide venues with a dedicated, secure, low-latency and performance-optimized network to support critical applications—and deliver the ultimate fan experience both venue owners and guests alike crave.
More About Extenet
Extenet’s exceptional network capabilities and superior customer service ensure an elevated end-user experience that enables us to effectively partner with wireless carriers, sports, entertainment and hospitality venues, enterprises, government municipalities and more. In addition to SS&E, Extenet proudly supports elite partners including MGM Resorts®, Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Extenet’s private 5G network solution has transformed venue connectivity, enhancing operations and delivering the ultimate fan experience for SS&E and their guests. It has set a new standard for wireless connectivity in sports and entertainment venues, and we are thrilled to have our work recognized once again by the prestigious Globee® Awards.About Spurs Sports & Entertainment
Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is a value-based and community-centric sports and entertainment company that provides premier live and global digital experiences for fans across a portfolio of three teams and two venues – all supported by a passionate staff of more than 1,000 full and part-time employees.
SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G League), and San Antonio FC (USL), as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the Frost Bank Center, Toyota Field and STAR Complex.
In November 2021, SS&E broke ground on The Rock at La Cantera, a multi-phase $500 million legacy project that will extend across 45 acres and feature a human performance research center, 22-acre park, a community outdoor event plaza and space for medical, hospitality and office use.
The campus will be home to the new Victory Capital Performance Center, a state-of-the-art training facility for the San Antonio Spurs, which is scheduled to open late summer of 2023.
The SS&E investor group is led by Managing Partner Peter J. Holt.