Coming soon: Wi-Fi internet inside Rupp Arena. Finally

Using your smartphone inside Rupp Arena will soon get easier.

The Lexington Center Corporation board selected Cisco Systems and CDW to wire the arena for wireless internet at a Thursday board meeting.

“It should be up and running by the first of February,” said Mike Fox, the director of information technology for Lexington Center, which oversees Rupp, the convention center and the Lexington Opera House.

Fox told the board the installation of a new, more robust wireless internet system for the convention center will follow. They hope to have that installation complete by late March. Installation will take place when there are no events at Rupp and the convention center.

Currently, the only wireless internet inside Rupp Arena is reserved for the media.

“It’s about improving the fan experience,” Fox said. “A lot of people live on their phones. They have to have Wi-Fi.”

The $1.4 million Wi-Fi installation is the last major portion of a $15 million technology overhaul of Rupp Arena that includes a new center-hung scoreboard, a state-of-the-art sound system, new LED advertising signs, a fresh coat of UK-blue paint and other improvements.

Rupp Arena patrons have long been frustrated with the lack of wireless internet inside Lexington’s most recognized landmark.

“It’s the last part of our technology upgrade, but in my opinion the most important,” said Bill Owen, president and CEO of Lexington Center. “Bad internet is worse than no internet.”

The addition of Wi-Fi also could generate more advertising revenue by allowing companies to communicate directly with sports fans or concert goers, Fox said.

Lexington Center charges conventions for internet access, so it can recoup some of its costs. Having a robust wireless internet connection will help secure convention business, officials said.

Bids for the installation came in $900,000 less than expected, Owen said. But the downtown complex’s monthly internet bill will go up by about $1,000 a month after the installation, Fox said.

This story was originally published October 22, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Coming soon: Wi-Fi internet inside Rupp Arena. Finally."