Nov 17 2009
The Hottest of Hot Spots Uses Verizon's All-Fiber Connection to Handle Internet Traffic
It's only fitting that the New York City park with perhaps the highest Wi-Fi usage in the city should also have a super-fast network for Internet access.
That's why Bryant Park has chosen Verizon FiOS Internet to power its popular Wi-Fi network. The installation of Verizon's up-to-50 megabits per second (Mbps) Internet service took place over the past week, and it serves not only park patrons who use their laptops and mobile devices, but also those shoppers and skaters who will visit the more than 160 shops and ice skating rink that are set up in the lawn area for the park's transformation during the upcoming holiday season.
Located in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas, Bryant Park has a heavily-used Wi-Fi network, with thousands of people visiting the park each day for their lunch breaks, business meetings, leisurely strolls, or passing through on their way to other midtown destinations.
"The FiOS enhancement to our free Wi-Fi network will be welcomed by the multitudes of laptop-carrying park visitors," said Dan Biederman, executive director of the Bryant Park Corporation. "FiOS will address the demands placed on the Wi-Fi system by upgrading the most crucial aspect of Internet access -- speed."
Verizon's up-to-50 Mbps FiOS Internet service is supporting the park's in-house Wi-Fi network, powering the two antennas that cover the park's six acres of open space. The super-charged FiOS service is available at the seating areas; the kiosks where the public can purchase sandwiches and snacks; and during this holiday season, the ice skating rink and more than 160 temporary shops.
The FiOS Internet installation replaces Internet connections that had been provided by another telecom carrier.
"At any one time, you could have several hundred users accessing the Internet from Bryant Park's free Wi-Fi network," said Kevin Service, Verizon vice president for operations in New York City. "Our FiOS Internet with up-to-50 megabits capacity is powerful enough to handle that and more."
The Bryant Park Corporation, whose staff also manages the 34th Street Partnership business improvement district, and Verizon have begun discussions to have Verizon's FiOS Internet service power Wi-Fi in Herald Square and Greeley Square parks.
Source: http://www22.verizon.com/