Corning MobileAccess and Gulf Coast Real Estate Consultants Bring State-of-the-Art Wireless Coverage to New Orleans Convention Center

Solution provides always-on cellular coverage for one of nation’s biggest convention centers in time for CTIA^® WIRELESS 2012

HICKORY, N.C.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Corning MobileAccess, part of Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE:GLW) Telecommunications segment, announced today that the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has implemented the company’s distributed antenna system (DAS) throughout the facility – in time for the International CTIA® WIRELESS 2012 conference. The solution will provide the more than 40,000 visitors expected to attend this year’s show with fast, uninterrupted access to voice and data throughout the convention center. The DAS solution was selected, designed, and installed by Gulf Coast Real Estate Consultants (GCREC), a site management company, and Wireless Services (WS), which specializes in RF design and installation of DAS solutions.

“We’re thrilled to be able to provide always-on cellular connectivity to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with our wireless operator and integrator community”

The convention center is the fifth-largest facility of its kind in the United States, and the DAS will extend and boost coverage throughout the 1.1 million-square-foot complex. The site routinely hosts tens of thousands of visitors simultaneously, who rely heavily on smartphones. The new Corning DAS will greatly enhance wireless voice and data service across all carrier networks, including those running 4G LTE. The DAS will also support public safety and operational communications within the extensive convention center.

“We knew we needed a powerful solution that would be able to handle heavy voice and data traffic across a huge area and serve multiple operators. Our partners, GCREC and WS, helped us find the solution we needed in the Corning MobileAccess DAS,” said Paul O’Connell, director of technology services, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “The bottom line is that this DAS makes our convention center the most advanced facility of its kind in terms of cellular coverage.”

“The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was one of the first convention centers in the country to adopt a DAS more than 10 years ago, but that system was not equipped to handle current 4G capabilities, or increased smartphone usage and ultra-wideband SMR,” said Julio Dumas, managing partner, GCREC. “Our technical team (WS) worked closely with the convention center to design a comprehensive DAS with brand new, best-in-class technology from Corning to address the communications needs of employees and patrons in this massive facility, and ensure consistent RF capacity and coverage.”

Corning MobileAccess’ DAS brings outdoor cellular signals indoors and distributes them through large facilities, resulting in enhanced wireless coverage and faster data transfer. The solution supports all major U.S. wireless carriers on a single infrastructure and easily accommodates the addition of capacity and services as needed.

“We’re thrilled to be able to provide always-on cellular connectivity to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with our wireless operator and integrator community,” said Mike Genovese, senior vice president, Wireless Networks and New Business Development, Corning Cable Systems. “Our solution is ideal for facilities of this size and topology because of its flexible remote power options and advanced cabling offering for uninterrupted coverage and capacity, a combination that is bound to make conference attendees and visitors very happy.”

The convention center is one of several New Orleans locations where Corning has installed its DAS. Six area hotels have also implemented the system to provide reliable coverage for guests in every area of their facilities.

Corning MobileAccess will be showcasing the company’s new, enhanced in-building portfolio in booth # 5205 at International CTIA^® WIRELESS 2012, May 8-10. Interested parties can register at the booth to participate in tours of the convention center’s new DAS throughout the show. Tours will be led by GCREC and WS representatives.

For additional information on Corning MobileAccess Total DAS visit: http://www.corning.com/mobileaccess/total-das.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 160 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy, and metrology.

About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, an award winning staff and first class amenities, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the fifth largest convention center in the nation and a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually. A leading rainmaker of the city’s hospitality industry, Convention Center event activity has produced $39.12 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $2.19 billion in new tax revenue.

About Gulf Coast Real Estate Consultants

Gulf Coast Real Estate Consultants, LLC (GCREC)-established in 1998 is a certified Minority and Small Disadvantage Business. GCREC is a full service national firm providing comprehensive site acquisition; site management; program development; project and construction management; as well as many other related services associated with the development of wireless networks, including but not limited to traditional macro sites and outdoor and indoor Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). GCREC provides its services to all wireless Carriers and enterprise customers such as the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center. For more information please visit www.gcrec.org.

About Wireless Services

Wireless Services (WS) established in 1998 is a certified Minority Business. WS has over 14 years’ experience in the wireless industry providing the Wireless Carriers and its enterprise customers with a full complement of services in the industry. WS specializes in indoor and outdoor Distributed Antenna System (DAS) design and installation for enhancing wireless coverage but also offers a vast assortment of wireless communication services including NOC monitoring, cell site construction and modification and emergency response. For more information please visit www.wirelessservices.tc.

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