The Challenge
Installing a complete wireless system into a remote disused steel mill being refurbished
for a casino resort was the challenge for this deployment. Due to location, there was no
existing cellular coverage, so the system needed to include a completely redundant public
safety system and a mobile network for customers, as well as internal radio
communications for the smooth running of the new resort.
The Sands Casino Resort - Bethlehem is a new casino and entertainment destination
developed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS). It is located on the former site of the
historic Bethlehem Steel plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The facility had fallen into
disrepair following the decline of the steel-making industry in the region.
Following the award of a Category 2 Slot Machine license by the Pennsylvania Gaming
Control Board in December 2006, and at a cost of $743 million, the plant was
transformed into a fully integrated resort consisting of 3,000 slot machines, over 300
luxury hotel rooms, 9 restaurants, 200,000 square feet of premium retail outlet shopping,
and 46,000 square feet of flexible multi-purpose space. The project has since been
characterized as one of the largest redevelopment projects in the United States, and the
largest casino development investment made to date in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
The remote location and economic decline of the area meant that LVSC needed to install
a complete wireless system to meet immediate needs as well as being easily upgradeable
as the resort expanded. Seamless and fail-safe coverage was vital from a security
perspective, while the staff needed a tailor-made instant response system to meet the
high levels of customer service. Due to the lack of telecoms infrastructure of any kind
within the disused building, or indeed the whole surrounding area, Anderson
Communications needed to install a customized system that would meet a number of
stringent service and safety demands. One such requirement was that the system had to
be designed to provide wireless coverage for both public safety and commercial usage.
The system needed to initially support over 200 staff, including security, housekeeping
and other casino-specific activities, as well as catering to the telecommunications
demands of its customers. The resort’s system also needed to operate in various
frequency bands and voice and data services, because a casino resort needs to meet a
wide variety of needs to its staff and customers.
The project teams were faced with delivering a complex system within a short time
period since the resort was planned to open in May 2009 and the system needed to be
installed in less than six months to facilitate other ongoing operations.
The Solution
A dual-band commercial and public safety system supplied by PBE Axell and
installed by systems integrator Anderson Communications was the solution. This included
a specialised UHF band on an 800MHz spectrum, using amplifiers throughout the building
to deliver guaranteed seamless coverage in every area. PBE Axell worked with
Anderson Communications to design and develop the necessary equipment for a
customized communications system that would extend seamless coverage across the
resort’s facilities. The Anderson team installed a PBE Axell UHF, Cellular and PCS
system.
“One of the unique capabilities of PBE Axell is that we can provide complete
systems for both Public Safety and Commercial Network Operators” says Steve
Damewood, PBE Axell’ VP of Sales for the Americas. “Our strategic partner
Anderson Communications did an outstanding job in managing this project to its
successful completion.”
Karen Fingl, VP sales at Anderson Communications, commented that, “Having worked
with PBE Axell on the Sands Resort Bethlehem’s sister casino, The Venetian, it
was a natural evolution to use the team again for this new project. Because of the history
associated with the Bethlehem Steel Mill, this was a particularly important project for the
area, and it’s fantastic to see the area coming back to life now. PBE Axell met and
exceeded the delivery schedule to the extent that the equipment was arriving faster than
we could install it, ensuring the project was completed on time and could further support
the refurbishment of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.”
The Benefit
The development received 100 percent coverage throughout the building, ensuring the
security of guests and enabling Bethlehem Sands staff to run an extremely responsive
and effective customer services programme. In addition to creating coverage for carriers
AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the resort was able to offer customers a high-capacity Wi-Fi
service, creating an additional revenue stream for the company.
The network was installed on budget and completed well within the specified six month
timetable. On the first day, the system was fully tested by a line of cars two miles long
full of people waiting to use the new casino. The system is capable of supporting 200
private radio users on a daily basis as well as providing support for both cellular and
public safety applications.
The casino management team is able to operate smoothly and efficiently. The wireless
system underpins the programs that have been set up to help the casino staff monitor
the slot machines and respond to any technical problems immediately, in addition to
ensuring that public safety radio services are available in the event of an emergency. The
efficient deployment of this project has created a working model for similar
redevelopment sites across the country.
