Spectrum Center powers a connected fan experience

"When I walk through the Spectrum Center and see families, colleagues and fans excited to be here, that's what we do this for. It's all about the experience, the connections and the memories we're able to create."

Mike Behan, Chief Business and Revenue Officer, Hornets Sports & Entertainment

Hornets Sports & Entertainment operates Spectrum Center, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the Carolinas. The venue is also a major community asset, annually hosting more than 125 events and generating $350 million in revenue for the city of Charlotte.

To redesign Spectrum Center as a fan-friendly venue, Spectrum Business deployed powerful WiFi 7. With the ability to connect across multiple frequencies simultaneously, WiFi 7 delivers faster speeds, lower latency and stronger performance in high-density environments. That means fans, staff and partners can stay seamlessly connected throughout the arena.

To optimize WiFi 7, video and voice services, Dedicated Fiber Internet circuits have been set up at key locations. HSE worked with Spectrum Business to increase patron engagement. Dozens of video screens in every part of the arena instantly distribute game and event content, bringing every moment to fans, using Fiber Connect Plus TV.

Supported by technology from Spectrum Business, entry flow increased by approximately 76% each 15-minute interval; while checkout times for food-and-beverage transactions improved by about 50%, and retail transaction speed increased by about 60%.

Ronnie Bryant, Chief Information Officer, Hornets Sports & Entertainment, says, “The Spectrum Center is an 800,000 square foot facility that seats 20,000 people. Now, we can deliver WiFi 7 to every patron at the same time, at the highest speeds possible.”