When Birmingham’s brand-new Coca-Cola Amphitheater was preparing to host its debut show with comedian Matt Rife, one critical piece was running late: the internet connection.

Although preparations began well in advance and the venue team stayed proactive, the scheduled fiber delivery faced unforeseen delays and wasn’t ready in time for the opening weekend. For a major new venue preparing to host its first show, that kind of gap isn’t just inconvenient — it’s critical.

With only a few days to go, my team stepped in and solved this connectivity challenge.

Using an existing DIA circuit with ample bandwidth at a nearby downtown high rise in Birmingham, we established a wireless link to the amphitheater rooftop using bonded 6GHz and 5GHz point-to-point microwave. A secure VPN tunnel extended the connection back to the Alabama Lightwave Montgomery network core and MGMIX, preserving IP space consistency and full routing control.

The facility needed fast and reliable internet — and we delivered — with real-world bursts hitting 700 mbps during testing to public speed test servers, using gear we sourced and deployed on short notice.

The internet went live just in time — and the show didn’t miss a beat. It’s a powerful reminder of what wireless can do: deliver fast, dependable connectivity when traditional options fall short. In moments where speed matters and fiber just can’t get there fast enough, wireless steps up and gets the job done.

We were not alone in getting this connection online. Several good community citizens and vendors stepped up to make this happen:

Additionally we’d be remiss if we didn’t call out the rock solid response time from key vendors in making this happen. You’re in good hands with any of these folks:

• Marc Negri at CTIConnect for quickly getting us the 6GHz radios we needed for this link.
• Eagle Internet / BDA for lending 5GHz radios they had on the shelf for this project.
• Ruben Pate at Cahaba Machine in Centreville for rushing the build of custom non-penetrating roof mounts.
• Reed Matte from a local fiber provider for same-day response time assisting with a rushed site walk.
• Anthony Polsinelli at Carbon Network Solutions for rushing the network engineering services needed to establish the connection.
• Flytec Computers for fast order processing and overnighting of the NetPoint dishes.

Another Beat in Birmingham’s Comeback Pulse

The Coca-Cola Amphitheater isn’t just a new venue. It’s a signal. Like Protective Stadium, Top Golf, the revitalization of Parkside, and the Innovation Depot’s tech-forward momentum, it’s part of a broader story — a city shaking off the dust and building something better.

Birmingham is no longer quietly transforming behind the scenes. It’s stepping into the spotlight, backed by real investment in culture, commerce, and community. The amphitheater brings world-class entertainment downtown, but more importantly, it brings people together. Residents, visitors, creators, and builders — all sharing in the energy of a city that knows its best days are still ahead.

And we want to give a heartfelt thanks to Live Nation for investing in that future. This venue is a gift to the city, and we’re proud to call them neighbors and collaborators in Birmingham’s comeback.

Connectivity Is Part of the Foundation

Behind every thriving event, venue, and moment in Birmingham, there’s infrastructure working behind the scenes. Reliable connectivity is part of that foundation. As the city grows, so does the need for fast, flexible, and resilient internet that keeps up with the pace of progress.

Whether through fiber, microwave, or what’s next — the goal is the same: to support a Birmingham that’s more connected, more capable, and more ready than ever.

Need fast, dependable internet for an upcoming event or project?

If you’re up against a tight deadline or a tough location, I can help. I have the network, experience, and tools to deliver real solutions when others can’t. Drop me an email and let’s talk.