Demonstrating that distributed antenna systems (DAS) are very much a part of the wireless scene, Boingo Wireless will be designing, building and managing a neutral host cellular DAS network for the Omni PGA Frisco Resort north of Dallas.
The venue is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023. It’s part of the big move of the PGA headquarters, which is relocating from Palm Beach County, Florida, to Frisco, Texas.
The resort is an expansive property that will include a luxury hotel with more than 500 guest rooms, championship golf courses, event space and a retail and entertainment district – all serving as the home of PGA of America.
The Boingo DAS network will deliver cellular coverage to the property and enable mobile connectivity for staff, players and guests. Boingo didn’t say which U.S. wireless carriers will be using the DAS but told Fierce that it’s in discussions with all Tier One carriers to join the DAS network.
“Guests of Omni PGA Frisco Resort demand a fast and reliable network,” said Brent Lessing, chief information officer for Omni Hotels & Resorts, in a statement. “We are confident that Boingo is the right partner to not only design and install the commercial cellular DAS, but also provide ongoing support and enhancements to the system to meet the ever-changing cellular landscape.”
The DAS is designed to amplify carrier coverage to deliver “an exceptional connected experience for voice and data communications,” Boingo said. No user intervention is required on the part of consumers – it works behind the scenes to boost cellular signals. Both LTE and 5G solutions are supported.
“Omni PGA Frisco Resort will be the new go-to destination for events, golf tournaments and leisure,” said Boingo CEO Mike Finley in a statement. “Such a state-of-the-art property requires state-of-art connectivity to meet growing mobile demands – from guests using 5G smartphones to staff managing operations on tablets to players relying on wearable technology to track their performance – and Boingo is there to deliver. We’re proud to be selected by Omni to manage their cellular needs, ensuring connectivity is secure and reliable throughout the resort.”
A few years ago, Finley saw nothing but growth ahead for DAS, and it looks like he was right, even as the pandemic proceeded to temporarily close many of the types of venues where DAS deployments thrive.
“Boingo is one of the largest DAS providers in the U.S. and our business continues to grow,” the company told Fierce this week. “The latest global health challenge has revealed what many in the telecom industry have long known – digital transformation is changing the landscape of business. Once a mere line item on business plans, the pandemic has moved digitization from consideration to requirement. Boingo’s converged portfolio of DAS, Wi-Fi, small cells and macro towers helps large venues and enterprises embrace digital transformation and link together a new era of business.”