Bringing high-speed WiFi access to Berlin fan mile

24th October 2017

HUBER+SUHNER

Alice Matthews

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Datasheet

Manufacturer of components and systems for fibre and RF connectivity, HUBER+SUHNER, has implemented its connectivity solutions for the installation of a public gigabit standard WiFi access point at the famous Fan Mile in Berlin, Germany. One of the most popular outdoor event locations in Europe, the area is home to Berlin’s symbolic landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, and attracts hundreds of thousands of sports enthusiasts, tourists and music fans each year.

To support the vast number of high-resolution photos and video streams shared there via smartphones, HUBER+SUHNER has been working with partners to ensure sufficient bandwidth is available for a public WiFi hotspot with no interference, to enable users in the area to surf, chat and stream for free.

“We did not hesitate to contribute our knowledge, hardware and resources when we were asked to support the project with state-of-the-art radio frequency components for mobile communications and WiFi,” said Egemen Kara, Market Segment Manager at CEM & IBC. “Particular expertise in problem-solving was required for the design of the antenna and cabling technology, with one of the key challenges focusing on the ability to deliver WiFi signal to an antenna which was positioned at the top of a road sign.”

As the active technology required for the hotspots was underground, radio frequency cables were installed underground, pulled up the mast of the road sign and connected to the antenna. The small dimensions of the mast meant that the diameter of the nine radio frequency cables had to be as small and discreet as possible. At the same time, cable losses had to be minimised in order for the WiFi hotspot to function correctly.

HUBER+SUHNER SPUMA-240 coaxial cables, flexible and low loss with a diameter of only 6mm, provided a suitable solution to the project’s requirements, along with three Spot-S 3×3 WiFi MIMO antennas from the HUBER+SUHNER SENCITY range. With a height of just 100mm, they provided an antenna gain of 8dBi – without interfering with the city’s iconic landscape.

The pilot installation was integrated into pre-existing infrastructure in August 2017, allowing customers across all telecommunication providers to receive free WiFi access for 30 minutes. The hotspot currently has the capacity to provide up to 600 people with a minimum signal strength of -65dBm. Following the initial pilot phase, decisions have already begun for further expansion of the public WiFi service in the area.

“It is with the combination of our cabling, antenna technology and low-interference MIMO transmission that we can ensure continuous, excellent WiFi performance within the hotspot, without compromising on the view that tourists come to see,” concluded Kara.