10 July 2014

Boston Networks' cabling infrastructure will connect all the venues being used for the games including Celtic Park pictured here.

Boston Networks is the official cabling services integrator for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games that are due to open on 23 July.

The locally based firm is responsible for the design and deployment of a multi-faceted cabling infrastructure, enabling the delivery of various technology services throughout all the venues being used for the games. These include Celtic Park, the SSE Hydro, the athletes village, the organisers’ HQ based in Glasgow’s Merchant City, and others.

Boston says its aim is to create a “truly resilient” solution using best of breed technology and expert design. It’s estimated that the ongoing deployment will involve the installation of more than 3,000 outlets and over 100km of fibre and cabling which includes products supplied by Brand-Rex. Boston says the highly scalable, structured and fibre optic solution will support voice, data and video comms. The critical infrastructure will be used by event officials, athletes, press and broadcasters, as well as a range of other operational personnel for the duration of the games.

In addition to the Glasgow 2014 organising committee, Boston has worked with a wide range of key stakeholders who will also heavily rely on the various cabling systems. They include: the technology systems integrator; official timekeeper; large video display contractor; host broad-caster, and the venue overlay contractors.

As part of its remit, the company will also deliver support from the Technology Operations Centre with the establishment of a dedicated service desk to fully manage the operational integrity of the solution. It says this will guarantee the prompt resolution of any incidents and provide centralised monitoring across all venues.

Key competition and non-competition venues will also require dedicated onsite support, during and leading up to the operational period of each site. Boston says it will manage fully qualified venue support teams as well as roaming support personnel to ensure “omnipresent” help and maintenance services.

All the cabling for the games is being installed on a temporary basis. It will be removed after the event and recycled in accordance with industry standards, although Boston says that individual venues may be able retain any cabling should they wish to do so.