AFL Completes Omni Hotels & Resorts Wireless Project

Upgrade at Manhattan hotel includes BelAir Networks wireless 802.11N network

Spartanburg, SC - AFL recently completed its wireless integration project for Omni Hotels & Resorts in midtown Manhattan. The newly installed network provides business travelers with the ultimate in wireless access.

Using BelAir Networks’ popular 802.11N indoor wireless mesh product (BelAir20), AFL installed 71 access points providing uniform coverage across 396 rooms and suites with higher speeds and throughput. Because the Omni Berkshire Place is a historic hotel in the heart of Manhattan, the installation was not conducive to an “outside-in” solution. With outside signal interference and spotty coverage, the AFL/BelAir Networks solution was a perfect fit for the hotel, providing a quality connection expected by the Omni’s affluent clientele..

“This is AFL’s ninth installation for Omni Hotels & Resorts. We continue to partner with their IT team, providing the design, installation and technical support for both the wireless network and structured cabling,” said Kent Brown, vice president of AFL’s Enterprise Services Division. “Partnering with BelAir Networks on this deployment and with many previous hospitality and campus deployments continues to be a win-win as we consistently receive positive feedback and know that our solution will exceed the Omni’s goals.”

“Omni Hotels has been on the forefront of technologically-advanced Wi-Fi services, and we’re pleased to continuously support their efforts,” said Bernard Herscovich, president and CEO, BelAir Networks. “By staying ahead of wireless technology, we are able to provide a portfolio of products that deliver the best and most cost-effective performance that’s also easy to manage.”

Driven by the powerful, feature-rich BelAirOS operating system software and managed by BelView, BelAir Networks offers the industry’s most comprehensive product portfolio of indoor access points (AP) and outdoor wireless nodes supporting both Wi-Fi and licensed frequency bands. BelAir Networks wireless system is flexible, providing customers with access whenever and wherever needed. The wireless system is currently in use, providing guests with the speed and capacity needed for those who want to connect. BelAir Networks’ top ranked market share is a result of the company’s successful deployments with major cable and telecom service providers, world-class hotels and resorts and high-profile locations.

“As the number of clientele steadily increase year over year and high bandwidths are a necessity, we needed to partner with a company that understands the requirements of our customer base and can change as they change,” said Richard Tudgay, vice president of technology for Omni Hotels & Resorts. “By working with AFL and BelAir Networks, we possess a comprehensive portfolio of indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi networking products that enable us to deliver high-capacity coverage that is cost-effective and easy to manage.”

Omni Hotels & Resorts was the first luxury hotel brand in the US to offer complimentary Wi-Fi system-wide with access in guest rooms and public spaces in 2003. With the high number of hotels owned and managed by Omni, technology support is centralized and standardized enabling rapid deployment and installation of new technology applications across the company. As business travel is on the upswing again, Omni focuses on the well-being of the many travelers that use their properties daily.

About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, OEM, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL’s service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting both the central office and outside plant areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

About BelAir Networks
BelAir Networks wireless networking solutions are deployed by the world’s leading service providers including AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision. The company’s portfolio of indoor and outdoor access points (AP) and picocell base stations, control and management systems enable service providers to build scalable, high performance wireless networks for 3G/4G data offload, hotzones, and Wi-Fi coverage for large venues, special events and retail chains. BelAir Networks solutions provide a compelling return on investment enabling service providers to capitalize on the explosive growth of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices and associated applications. Innovative mobile carriers and cable operators use BelAir Networks to drive revenue, improve competitiveness and deliver a great mobile broadband user experience. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company with Tier 1 carrier customers and backed by investment from Comcast Interactive Capital, T-Mobile Venture Fund and leading venture capital firms including Trilogy Equity Partners. For more information, visit www.belairnetworks.com.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on “A Total Departure” to 50 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness option. Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as J.D. Power and Associates, which ranked Omni as “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains” in its 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM).