CommScope provides miles of copper, fiber cabling infrastructure for IP-based Formula 1 Grand Prix race track facility

Image Source:Larry D. Moore CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCommScope has won a contract to provide miles of copper and fiber cabling infrastructure for high speed data communications at the Circuit of The Americas complex, a world-class Formula 1 Grand Prix race track facility located in Austin, Texas. The "Internet Protocol-based race track," billed as the first such facility in the U.S., will host its first event, the 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, later this year. The race will be witnessed live by an estimated 120,000 attendees, with coverage broadcast to an additional estimated 30 million people around the world.

The 375-acre project began construction in January 2010 with 16 Texas-based contractors including CommScope, whose enterprise and wireless segments call Richardson’s Telecom Corridor home. Following its success in providing infrastructure for other recent high-profile Texas construction projects, CommScope was chosen to provide more than 25 miles of end-to-end outside plant singlemode fiber cabling and approximately 100 miles of end-to-end Category 6 cabling – enough copper to make about 30 laps around the facility’s 3.4-mile circuit track.

In addition to supporting race electronics applications including video surveillance, IPTV video delivery to suites, offices and concession areas, video wall servers, race control and time keeping, CommScope’s solutions will also underlie the venue’s expansive outdoor live music space, a 40,000-square-foot conference and media center, a state-of-the-art, 5,550-square-foot medical facility and a host of other ultra-modern visitor attractions.

“Having designed and installed reliable, fast and innovative technology solutions at some of the world’s top venues, including Cowboys Stadium and the eagerly anticipated Perot Museum of Nature & Science, the plans and desired capabilities laid out by this project were right up our alley, and we raced to get involved,” said Laurie Oswald, vice president, North American Enterprise Sales, CommScope. “The [completed] network infrastructure will allow approximately 1.2 million people annually to work and enjoy educational and performance events at the Circuit of The Americas complex.”

“There’s no other racetrack in the world with an all IP-based system that can deliver the advanced communications capabilities to connect fan and venue operations all in one – and CommScope’s reliable, high-speed copper and fiber solutions make it possible,” added Mike Craddock, director of technology, Circuit of The Americas. “But our success in this project has been about more than great technology solutions. CommScope’s dedication to customer service has enabled them to expedite our requests and exceed our timeline goals for construction.”

Installation of all communications infrastructure and construction is expected to be complete by September 2012. Circuit of The Americas will welcome its first guests for the Historic Grand Prix (HGP) series November 16-18. For more information and downloadable video, audio and photos, visit: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com.