June 2008, Singapore       

    Sigma.3 has successfully completed its first 802.11n wireless network deployment in Singapore for The Ascott Singapore Raffles Place, which is scheduled to open in July 2008. This deployment also marks the first Hotel / Serviced Apartment in Singapore to deploy the latest 802.11n wireless Internet service for its guests.

"We chose Ruckus wireless equipment for the new Ascott property because we wanted to implement a wireless network which was not going to be obselete in the next few months and that the equipment used was going to support IP based applications services like VoIP and Video streaming in the future.

Most of the available 802.11n wireless equipment that we evaluated prior to the implementation had little or no enterprise capabilities, or was just too expensive to deploy. But fortunately for us, Ruckus had the right solution with the feature set and at price point that we were looking for.

Though the 802.11n deployed with Ruckus is using the Draft 2.0 standard, we're able to upgrade the firmware of all the APs to support the official 802.11n release easily when it becomes available later in the year using the ZoneDirector. And most imortant point for us is that the central management capabilties in Ruckus complies to our current ISO:9001 support & operational processes where we're required to actively monitor all the HSIA equipment deployed from our 24x7 Network Operating Center so that our Help Desk engineers are alerted immediately when any equipment becomes unavailable." - Eddie Tang (Managing Director, Sigma.3 Pte Ltd).    

Initial wireless testing by the Ascott management during the pre-opening period has been very favourable. Users using the wireless Internet service were able to obtain Good to Excellent wireless coverage in all locations within the guest rooms and public areas at the property using both 802.11n and 802.11b/g mobile devices.

The ZoneFlex 7942 implements the Ruckus-patented BeamFlex™ smart antenna technology that enables consistent, high performance, extended coverage and multimedia support as it automatically tunes itself to adapt to constant changes in the environment. This means fewer APs, more satisfied users, and a cost-effective system that can be installed anywhere by even non-wireless experts.

The Ascott Singapore Raffles Place is located with immediate access to Singapore's multinational business and financial institutions. The property offers a total of 146 well appointed luxury apartments with contemporary settings, designer fittings, dining area and a finely-equipped kitchen in each apartment.