Complex Communication Needs at TED's Live Events Require Seamless Comms
Tailored to TED’s high-stakes live event environment, the new communications upgrade provides robust, real-time capabilities across both on-site and remote production teams.
Edited by EE Team
Stage Events
Oct 27, 2025
TED Conferences LLC recently partnered with Clear-Com® to enhance its live production capabilities through a custom intercom solution centered on the Arcadia® Central Station communications platform.
Clear-Com’s Applications team, represented by John Ferrante, led the installation at TED’s New York production facility, configuring an end-to-end system designed to support the complex communication needs of TED conferences. The Arcadia Central Station, upgraded to the latest firmware release, was integrated with an extensive suite of FreeSpeak II® digital wireless products, IP transceivers, wireless beltpacks, and remote connectivity via Clear-Com’s Gen-IC® virtual intercom.
As part of the upgrade, TED also transitioned from its legacy analog wired intercom to the HelixNet® Digital Network Partyline System. This configuration streamlined on-demand communications across multiple teams, making the system adaptable for both live shows and distributed production workflows.
The heart of TED’s new communications system integrates seamlessly with its existing network, allowing Clear-Com equipment to connect with other audio systems across the venue with minimal latency and pristine audio fidelity. Integrated IP and Dante-enabled channels further expand TED’s ability to manage communications in real time. This setup enables TED to retain established communication flows while introducing the flexibility and scalability of Arcadia as the organization gradually transitions to its new infrastructure.
Gen-IC adds another layer of remote connectivity to TED’s operations. Six IVC links connect remote team members directly into TED’s on-site Arcadia infrastructure, delivering seamless integration between local and remote participants. This functionality is supported by an LQ® Series IP Interface connected to the Gen-IC Cloud, which provides TED’s production team with dynamic control over both remote and local communications channels. Gen-IC’s ability to easily integrate remote users has been transformative, enabling TED to remain agile while maintaining the highest standards of audio quality.
Through on-site training, TED’s team can now configure channels, assign users, and manage remote links, providing a future-proofed system that scales with the organization’s growth. This workflow reflects the unique challenges TED faces as a hybrid live event and content production organization, blending elements of broadcasting, streaming, and high-end meeting production—demands that resonate with today’s cutting-edge producers of corporate AV events.
Clear-Com’s installation of Arcadia, along with the migration from analog to HelixNet digital wired comms, deployment of FreeSpeak II beltpacks, and integration of Gen-IC, equips TED with a flexible, reliable communication solution that supports the present and future demands of live event production, remote collaboration, and content distribution. This empowers TED’s talented team to deliver programming with greater efficiency and quality.
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