Skyscrapers in Manhattan typically offer spectacular views from high
floors, but not always great wireless reception, which can be
problematic in buildings higher than 20 stories. The Empire State
Building, however, will soon be a notable exception, thanks to a new
agreement with ExteNet
Systems, Inc.
Per the agreement, ExteNet will design, own and operate the distributed
wireless network that will enable reliable coverage for Verizon Wireless
and Sprint customers from the ground floor up to the 102nd floor.
Service is slated to go live in Spring 2014.
“Throughout our portfolio, our mandate is to offer our tenants the best
technological solutions in a state-of-the-art business environment,”
says Anthony Malkin, president of Malkin Holdings, L.L.C., which
supervises the Empire State Building. “Our portfolio’s hallmarks are
redundant broadband, energy efficiency, and fully modernized building
systems. Many employees and executives simply don’t use hard-wired
phones, and we see the ExteNet offering as central to our building’s
turn-key capabilities.”
ExteNet President and CEO Ross W. Manire stated, “The Empire State
Building is an American landmark and a prestigious Class A facility. We
are excited to design, deploy and operate our next generation wireless
network providing seamless mobility and reliable 3G and 4G LTE wireless
service throughout the building, and it is our privilege to bring the
leading wireless service providers onto our distributed
network at the Empire State Building.”
“At Verizon Wireless, we believe in going to great heights to provide
our customers with the best wireless experience possible. We’re looking
forward to working with ExteNet and the Empire State Building team on
this innovative project which will enhance our wireless network service
in a building that is an American icon and international treasure. Upon
completion, the Empire State Building will be one of the latest
skyscrapers in Manhattan to have seamless mobile connectivity. We’re
excited that Empire State Building tenants and our customers will soon
experience the benefits of the nation’s largest 4G LTE network 102
floors above the ground,” said Patrick Devlin, regional president for
Verizon Wireless.
According to Keith Dardis, regional vice president, Sprint, “We are
looking forward to working with ExteNet to provide our enhanced 3G and
4G LTE to customers throughout the Empire State Building - even on the
highest floors. With increasing smartphone usage and surging data
demand, we are continually finding solutions to provide excellent
wireless coverage inside high-rise and iconic buildings like the Empire
State Building, in New York City and nationwide.”
About the Empire State Building
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building
is the World’s Most Famous Office Building. With new investments in
energy-efficiency, building-wide infrastructure upgrades, public areas
and amenities totaling more than $550 million, the Empire State Building
has attracted and continues to attract corporate office tenants in a
diverse array of industries from around the world.
The Empire State Building also has taken a leading role in
sustainability, partnering with the Clinton Climate Initiative, Rocky
Mountain Institute, Johnson Controls and Jones Lang LaSalle to develop
an innovative process for a comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit
program that will reduce the building’s total energy consumption by 38%
and that has led the building to receive an Energy Star rating of 80,
placing it in the top 20% in energy efficiency among all buildings
measured under the Energy Star program. The energy retrofit program that
contributed to the Energy Star designation was also an important element
in receiving the LEED-EB Gold certification from the United States Green
Building Council.
The $550 million Empire State ReBuilding program – planned and
completed – includes a comprehensive restoration of the Art Deco lobby
and ceiling, along with the creation of four dedicated tenant entrances,
visitor desk and access control, messenger center, new restrooms,
air-conditioned public corridors, brand-new Otis Destination Dispatch
Control elevators, new marble elevator cabs, 6,500 windows rebuilt on
site for greater energy efficiency, improvements to the building-wide
mechanical and electrical systems, and improved security systems.
Tenants also enjoy the benefits of a campus environment within the city,
with banking, an AT&T store, several dining options, and (coming in
2013) a tenants-only fitness center and conference center, and a
white-tablecloth restaurant with private rooms.
The flagship of the W&H Properties' Pre-War Trophy office portfolio,
the Empire State Building is supervised by Malkin Holdings LLC, one of
New York City’s most financially stable ownerships. High-end
pre-built office suites from 4,000 to 6,500 square feet are available
throughout the building, along with fully white-boxed partial and full
floors ready for tenant build-out from 10,000 square feet, over 104,000
square feet of contiguous tower space available on floors 55 to 58, and
65,800 square feet of contiguous space available on floors 28 and 29.
Broker commissions are paid in full at lease signing.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and
largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 100.1 million
retail customers, including 94.3 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered
in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 employees nationwide,
Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE,
NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more
information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.
For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our
News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com
or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.
About Sprint
Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline
communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers,
businesses and government users. Sprint served more than 53 million
customers at the end of the second quarter of 2013 and is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative
technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national
carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data
services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost
Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international
push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The
American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved
company in customer satisfaction, across all 47 industries, during the
last five years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012
Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies,
the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and
visit Sprint at www.sprint.com
or www.facebook.com/sprint
and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About ExteNet Systems
Lisle, IL-based ExteNet
Systems, Inc. designs, builds, owns and operates distributed
networks for use by wireless carriers and venue owners in key strategic
markets. Using distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cells and other
technologies, ExteNet deploys networks to enhance coverage and capacity
and enable superior wireless service in both outdoor and indoor
environments. Primary markets addressed by ExteNet include outdoor
distributed networks in a variety of densely occupied or heavily
traveled settings, and a host of indoor verticals, including sports and
entertainment venues, commercial buildings, the hospitality
industry, and healthcare facilities. For more information, visit www.extenetsystems.com.
“ExteNet®” is a registered trademark of ExteNet Systems, Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2013