Free Space Optics Delivers Last-Minute Connectivity for Concert

A large entertainment venue in the Pacific Northwest was preparing to host a large concert. Just days before the event, the venue’s legacy RF point-to-point wireless connectivity link went down. To ensure that the show could go on, the venue’s network infrastructure provider turned to Wesco to provide a high-bandwidth and reliable solution.

Partnerships to Deliver Connectivity to the Masses

Having an already established partnership with Wesco, the network infrastructure provider came to them to collaborate and explore solutions that would fit the venue’s ongoing needs and could be quickly and efficiently implemented. The team would only have one weekend to deploy, test and optimize a connectivity solution that would restore robust connectivity for the high-density crowd expected to attend the music event.

Because of their deep industry experience and innovative solutions, Wesco had a technology in mind that fit the bill perfectly: free space optics (FSO)

What is Free Space Optics (FSO)?

FSO is quick to deploy, cost-effective and was determined to be the best solution to fit the need head on. This technology transmits modulated laser light through the air between a transmitter and receiver. Similar to fiber, FSO transmits data from one location to another, but instead of enclosing the data stream in a glass fiber, it is transmitted through the atmosphere via lasers to send and receive voice, video and data communications. 

FSO is a versatile technology that is ideal for large venues, or arenas, because light beams are transmitted through the air and connects line-of-sight points. This eliminates the need for extensive or time-consuming cabling efforts. FSO technology can achieve extremely high-speed data transmission rates between different points within the space, while maintaining a highly secure and reliable connection. Because FSO uses no RF spectrum, there are no licensing delays or fees that would typically be associated with a RF system deployment.

Advantage of Using FSO Technology

While fiber is the gold-standard in connectivity, free space optics technology offers an alternative to fixed-line infrastructure in challenging environments and can act as a complimentary solution to fill a gap in traditional fiber or wireless deployment projects. Advantages include:

• High-bandwidth capacity
• Highly secure connectivity
• Cost-effectiveness, particularly for point-to-point links, temporary networks, and last-mile connectivity in challenging environments
• Operates in the optical spectrum , so no need for costly and time-consuming RF spectrum licensing
• Minimal interference for a more reliable communications environment

Other Use Cases for FSO

FSO is an ideal complementary solution for applications where traditional communication methods face connectivity gaps. It is versatile and can be used in various scenarios such as improving inter-building connectivity in campus networks, facilitating high-volume data flow in educational facilities, supporting mining and remote operations, and enabling IoT applications. FSO is also beneficial for ports and logistics, providing mission-critical applications in RF congested environments, and serves as a backup or alternative to dark fiber or leased lines. It is suitable for defense and military applications, disaster recovery, urban communications, financial and government communications, temporary connectivity for events, space communication, broadband and ISP connectivity, 4G/5G backhaul/fronthaul, private 5G network backhaul/fronthaul, CCTV connectivity, and hyperscale direct connect.

Deployment Success Under Pressure

With the clock ticking, Wesco and the FSO technology supplier traveled to the venue location to support the network infrastructure provider with the deployment. Teaming up, they went to work mounting the FSO equipment. Because this equipment is lightweight and compact (shoebox-sized devices), they were able to use some of the infrastructure and poles from the previous RF system for the speedy deployment of the laser transmitters and receivers. 

Once the equipment was installed, Wesco worked in conjunction with the FSO supplier’s engineering team, located on the other side of the world (and on the weekend), to optimize and fine tune the system. This was done using an engineering web interface to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and allowed them to tweak the system to ensure optimal performance throughout all areas of the venue.

With the system quickly installed and optimized, the team still had the entire day on Sunday to conduct extensive testing to verify the FSO link’s stability and performance. By the end of that day, all parties were confident the show could go on. The venue could offer their music enthusiasts the connectivity they have come to expect, the network infrastructure provider had met their service level agreement expectations to the venue, and Wesco was able to provide the customer with a state-of the art, future-proof technology solution.

This project demonstrates the value of innovative solutions and strong partnerships in delivering reliable and high-performance wireless infrastructure.

When the Show Must Go On, Wesco Delivers

Wesco delivers industry-leading expertise and innovative technology solutions - along with strong supplier partnerships - that ensure our customers have reliable and high-performance connectivity infrastructure. With end-to-end expertise for the network connectivity that is essential in the world today, Wesco can help solve the most complex connectivity challenges.