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NFL Stadium Tech Reviews — AFC South

November 10, 2015 by Paul Kapustka Leave a Comment

Editor’s note: The following team-by-team capsule reports of NFL stadium technology deployments are an excerpt from our most recent Stadium Tech Report, THE PRO FOOTBALL ISSUE. To get all the capsules in one place as well as our featured reports, interviews and analysis, download your free copy of the full report today.

AFC SOUTH

Reporting by Paul Kapustka

Houston Texans
NRG Stadium
Seating Capacity: 71,054
Wi-Fi – No
DAS – Yes

With Super Bowl LI approaching in 2017, NRG Stadium is rumored to be (finally) getting Wi-Fi, with reports that the deployment will be led by 5 Bars and use gear from Ruckus Wireless; however none of this has yet been formally approved, so for now it’s another fall with no Wi-Fi at NRG.

Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium
Seating Capacity: 63,000
Wi-Fi – Yes
DAS – Yes

According to stats from this year’s Final Four basketball weekend, the Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity at Lucas Oil Stadium is working just fine, with just about 11 terabytes of traffic measured over the hoops-happy weekend. According to organizers, the stadium’s Wi-Fi carried more than 5 TB of traffic, which should prove stable enough for Colts fans this fall.

Jacksonville Jaguars
EverBank Field
Seating Capacity: 67,297
Wi-Fi – Yes
DAS – No

Jacksonville fans who are not inside one of the two pools at EverBank Field can use the free Wi-Fi provided by Extreme and SignalShare, with bandwidth provided by Comcast. EverBank also has Wi-Fi “coaches” to help fans connect to the network, reportedly wearing bright yellow hats.

Tennessee Titans
Nissan Stadium
Seating Capacity: 69,149
Wi-Fi – Yes
DAS – Yes

Another outfit by Extreme Networks, Titans fans are into the second year of stadium-wide Wi-Fi, at the newly named “Nissan Stadium” thanks to a sponsor change this summer.

Filed Under: 4G LTE, AT&T, Comcast, DAS, NCAA Hoops, NFL, Super Bowl, Verizon Wireless, Wi-Fi Tagged With: 4G LTE, AT&T, DAS, EverBank Field, Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, Mobile Sports Report, NFL, Nissan Stadium, Paul Kapustka, Stadium Wi-Fi, Tennessee Titans, Verizon Wireless, Wi-Fi

Levi’s Stadium Monday Night Football debut sees 2.87 TB of Wi-Fi traffic, 874 GB on AT&T DAS

September 16, 2015 by Paul Kapustka 3 Comments

Levi’s Stadium during its inaugural Monday Night Football game. Photo: Levi’s Stadium

For its first-ever Monday Night Football game, Levi’s Stadium saw 2.87 terabytes of data cross its Wi-Fi network, with an additional 874 GB traversing the AT&T cellular DAS network during the Niners’ somewhat surprising 20-3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

With the confirmed numbers bumping up against the 4 TB mark — and if you add in the probable (but unreported) 1 TB or more that was used by Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile customers on the Levi’s Stadium DAS — it’s readily apparent that usage of wireless data inside stadiums is only continuing to grow, with no top end yet in sight.

Though the Wi-Fi mark didn’t hit the same heights as the 3.3 TB number recorded at the first regular-season opener at Levi’s Stadium last fall, it’s impressive nonetheless because of the game’s somewhat lower profile given the modest expectations for a Niners team that has suffered through an exceptionally strange offseason that saw its high-profile coach Jim Harbaugh leave for the University of Michigan, and a number of top players retire, like star linebacker Patrick Willis, or depart, like running back Frank Gore, who went to Indianapolis.

And with the new-car buzz somewhat gone from Levi’s Stadium if almost 3 TB of Wi-Fi is a “regular” mark you have to start wondering what the totals are going to be like when Super Bowl 50 comes to the venue in February. On the DAS side of things, the cellular traffic generated by AT&T customers at Levi’s Stadium Monday night was the second-highest in the NFL venues measured by AT&T, trailing only the traffic at namesake AT&T Stadium, where AT&T saw 1.107 TB of DAS traffic during the Cowboys’ opening-game victory over the New York Giants. According to AT&T, DAS traffic at NFL stadiums during the first week of games was up 46 percent compared to the first week of games in 2014. We’ll have a separate post on college DAS traffic tomorrow, which is also up. Thanks to the Niners for the data chart below.

Filed Under: 4G LTE, AT&T, Comcast, Dallas Cowboys, DAS, Levi's Stadium, Monday Night Football, NFL, Sprint, Super Bowl, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Wi-Fi Tagged With: 4G LTE, AT&T, DAS, ESPN, Levi's Stadium, Mobile Sports Report, NFL, Paul Kapustka, San Francisco 49ers, Stadium Wi-Fi, Super Bowl, Verizon Wireless, Wi-Fi

Stadium Tech Professionals: Time to take our 2015 stadium tech survey!

June 2, 2015 by Paul Kapustka Leave a Comment

If you are a stadium technology professional working for a school, team or stadium ownership group, it’s that time of year again — we need your participation to make our 2015 State of the Stadium Technology Survey our best yet! Now in its third year of existence, the “State of the Stadium” survey is the only independent, large-public-venue research that charts deployments of stadium technology like Wi-Fi, DAS, Digital Signage and Beaconing, and the use of digital sports marketing tools like CRM and social media. If you are part of a stadium operations group and know the answers, take the 2015 survey right now!

Before I get to a deeper explanation of the survey, a quick story: During last year’s survey season, I called a team IT exec that I knew well and asked why nobody from his organization had taken the survey. “Well, we don’t have Wi-Fi installed yet,” the exec said. “We’ll take the survey next year after it’s deployed.” I didn’t have the heart to say it at the time but — his take was completely the WRONG ANSWER. Why? Because this is an ANONYMOUS, AGGREGATED INFORMATION ONLY survey, which means that answers aren’t tied to any school, team or individual. Just look at last year’s survey to see how the answers are reported. That also means that all answers are completely confidential, and will not be sold, marketed or otherwise communicated in any way, shape or form outside of the ANONYMOUS TOTALS used in the survey report.

So since we’re trying to find out aggregate numbers — not individual details — it’s just as important for all of us to know who doesn’t have Wi-Fi as well as who does. So even if your school or team or stadium doesn’t have Wi-Fi — and may never have Wi-Fi — you should still TAKE THE SURVEY and add your organization’s information to the total. The more answers we get, the better the data are for everyone.

Survey time is time well spent

And that “everyone” thing leads me to my next point: If you’re a regular reader here you can and should consider the few minutes it takes to complete the survey as a small way of “paying back” to the rest of the members of this fine industry, many of whom make time for the interviews, visits and emails that form the core of all the excellent free content available here on the MSR site and through our long-form reports. We know you are busy, and that spending time answering a list of technology questions may not seem like the highest priority on your to-do list. But a little bit of your time can really help us all.

That’s because we also know, from our website statistics and from our report download numbers and just from conversations with many of you, that our audience of stadium technology professionals appreciates the honest, objective stories and analysis we provide. (We humbly thank you for making us a regular reading choice.) And now, by taking the survey, you can help make the site and our work even better, just by adding your team, school or stadium’s technology deployment information into the 2015 State of the Stadium Technology Survey. The more results we get, the better and more informative the survey becomes — and that’s something that’s truly a win-win situation for all involved.

Once again the State of the Stadium Technology Survey will be exclusively delivered first to the attendees of the SEAT Conference, being held this year in our home town of San Francisco, July 19-22. Production of this year’s survey is made possible by the sponsorship of Mobilitie, and through our partnership with the SEAT Consortium, owners and operators of the excellent SEAT event. All those who participate in the survey will receive a full digital copy of the final report, whether you attend the SEAT Conference or not.

Final reminder: This survey is meant to be taken ONLY by stadium technology professionals, executives, and team or school representatives who can accurately describe the deployments in place at their organization. It is NOT a survey to be taken by everyone, only by those who have a deployment to describe. If you have any questions about whether you should take the survey or not, send an email to me at kaps at mobilesportsreport.com. Thanks in advance for your time and participation!

Filed Under: 4G LTE, Apps, AT&T, Baseball, Cisco, Comcast, DAS, iPhone, SEAT Conference, Wi-Fi Tagged With: AT&T Park, Beacons, DAS, digital signage, Levi's Stadium, Mobile Sports Report, Paul Kapustka, San Francisco, SEAT, SEAT Conference, Social Media, Sports CRM, Sports marketing, Stadium Wi-Fi, State of the Stadium Technology Survey

NBA stadium tech reports — NBA East, Atlantic Division

April 14, 2015 by Paul Kapustka Leave a Comment

Editor’s note: The following team-by-team capsule reports of NBA stadium technology deployments are an excerpt from our most recent Stadium Tech Report, THE HOOPS AND HOCKEY ISSUE. To get all the capsules in one place as well as our featured reports, interviews and analysis, download your free copy of the full report today.

Reporting by Chris Gallo

NBA EAST: Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics
TD Bank Garden
Seating capacity: 18,624
Wi-Fi: Yes DAS:Yes

The “new” TD Garden unveiled the first signs of a 2-year $70 million renovation project this past fall. Renovations include new concessions, touch-screen directory displays on the concourses, and Cisco’s Connected Stadium Wi-Fi and StadiumVision for digital displays. As TD Garden turns 20 years old, it’s maturing to connect fans better than ever before.

The Celtics are co-tenants with the Boston Bruins, and the two storied franchises share over 400 Wi-Fi antennas throughout the Garden. The Bruins are even placing Wi-Fi hot spots in the boards around the ice during hockey games. And Celtics and Bruins fans can easily find food and beverage locations using the TD Garden app. Phase II of the renovation will tip off this summer.

Brooklyn Nets
Barclays Center
Seating capacity: 17,732
Wi-Fi: Yes DAS: Yes

With rumors swirling that majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov plans to sell the team, the Brooklyn Nets still call one of the most connected arenas in all of sports home. With Wi-Fi, DAS, and Cisco’s StadiumVision products (including StadiumVision Mobile, which brings live action to handheld devices), Nets fans are already well connected at home games.

This season Brooklyn is bringing fans even closer, as the Barclays Center is one the first NBA arenas to experiment with beaconing technology. The Barclays Center is using beacons to communicate and keep fans engaged at all times. For example, as fans enter the arena, the beacons can alert them of seat upgrades at discounted rates. In its third year of existence, the Barclays Center continues to make noise in stadium technology.

New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden
Seating capacity: 19,812
Wi-Fi: Yes DAS: Yes

Despite only turning in nine wins by the end of January, the New York Knicks still ranked in the top five in attendance in the NBA. A big reason why is the Knicks’ legendary home, Madison Square Garden. The second oldest arena in basketball knows its will always be an attraction for fans. And fresh off a $1 billion dollar renovation that boosted LTE-DAS and Wi-Fi access, Madison Square Garden was again in the national spotlight, hosting this year’s 64th NBA All-Star Game.

Philadelphia 76ers
Wells Fargo Center
Seating capacity: 20,328
Wi-Fi: Yes DAS: Yes

Entering its 19th year, the Wells Fargo Center is prepared to make renovations to keep Sixers’ and Flyers’ fans happy. As the majority owner of the franchise, Comcast is slated to release boosted Xfinity Wi-Fi signals and hot spots throughout the arena in 2015. More improvements that include a refresh of club and suite levels, and wider concourses are rumored for 2016.

Toronto Raptors
Air Canada Centre
Seating capacity: 19,800
Wi-Fi: Yes DAS: Yes

After being selected to host the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, Air Canada Centre is on tap to get more renovations. Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. group, estimates to spend around $40 million to enhance the Raptors’ and Maple Leafs’ home arena. Upgrades to both Wi-Fi and DAS, plus the third scoreboard since the arena has opened in 1999, are listed as major enhancements. With the Raptors on pace to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, the improvements will be welcomed.

Filed Under: 4G LTE, Basketball, Cisco, Comcast, DAS, NBA, Wi-Fi Tagged With: 4G LTE, Boston Celtics, DAS, Madison Square Garden, Mobile Sports Report, NBA, New York Knicks, Stadium Tech Report, Stadium Wi-Fi, TD Garden

Braves sign Comcast for network deal at new SunTrust Park

March 17, 2015 by Paul Kapustka Leave a Comment

Screen shot of artist rendering of new Atlanta Braves ballpark, with Comcast office building over right-field wall. Credit: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves and Comcast announced a deal that will see the cable giant providing back-end networking bandwidth to the team’s new SunTrust Park in Atlanta, along with an associated campus of buildings that includes a Comcast-branded structure that will peek over the right-field wall.

Like other deals it has signed at stadiums like the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium, the Tennessee Titans’ LP Field and the Wells Fargo Arena, Comcast will mainly be in charge of bringing back-end Internet connectivity to the Braves’ new stadium, which is scheduled to open before the 2017 season. No word yet on which vendor will be chosen to use that back-end connectivity to bring wireless networking directly to fans, but with pledges to build an “all-fiber network” with “multi-gigabit speeds” throughout the ballpark and the adjoining 60-acre campus, it’s a good bet that Comcast’s pipes will be able to supply whatever bandwidth is needed.

Unlike Levi’s, where Comcast signage is minimal, the cable giant will have a prominent place in the SunTrust viewshed, if construction goes according to the artist sketches provided with today’s news release. The question we have is whether or not left-handed pull hitters will be able to smash glass on the 9-story Comcast office building, which should be a great place to work late when the Braves have night games.

More gratuitous future ballpark art.

Filed Under: Baseball, Comcast, Major League Baseball, Wi-Fi Tagged With: Atlanta Braves, Comcast, Internet backbone, Levi's Stadium, Mobile Sports Report, Paul Kapustka, Stadium Wi-Fi, SunTrust Field, Wi-Fi

Comcast powers Wi-Fi for Tennessee Titans, Philly’s Wells Fargo Center

February 9, 2015 by Paul Kapustka Leave a Comment

Comcast continues to expand its presence in the stadium Wi-Fi marketplace, with announcements that revealed the cable giant’s participation in Wi-Fi networks at both the Tennessee Titans’ LP Field and the Wells Fargo Arena in Comcast’s headquarters hometown of Philadelphia.

In a somewhat confusing press release, Comcast last week revealed that it was the backbone service provider for the Wi-Fi network at LP Field, which was installed by Extreme Networks and was supposed to be live all season. In its press statement, Comcast said its 1 Gigabit per second backbone service would bring LP Field fans “Wi-Fi for the first time,” leading almost every media outlet who reprints press releases to assume that services hadn’t yet been offered at the stadium.

But not MSR.

According to Comcast, the pipe was actually installed before the start of the past football season and as far as we know the Wi-Fi was active all year long, though in an email a Comcast representative claimed that the announcement wasn’t made earlier because the Wi-Fi network “was in a test-phase.” We have emails in to the Titans and to Extreme to see if we can get more clarification on how well the network operated this season; the bottom line good news for Titans fans is that with a 1 Gbps redundant connection in place, the network should have no problems handling game-day wireless traffic.

At the Wells Fargo Center, Comcast announced that it was upgrading the free-to-fans Wi-Fi network that already existed at the venue, adding an unspecified number of Cisco access points to increase coverage. Another 1 Gbps backbone has been installed there, and here’s a press release quote from Comcast to let you know more such deals may be on the way:

“Our goal is to make the Wells Fargo Center a leader in innovative technology and fan interaction,” said Dave Scott, President of Comcast-Spectacor. “This upgrade is just the first of many exciting advancements we will be making at the arena and is a preview of the innovations we can bring to other arenas across the country and in Canada.”

Comcast, as Niners fans may know, provides two of its own 10 Gbps pipes (as well as two more 10 Gbps pipes from another unnamed supplier) as the backbone service for Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Comcast also said it supplies backbone bandwidth to facilities for the Denver Broncos, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Boston Celtics, The Oakland A’s, the Boston Red Sox, the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Hawks.

Filed Under: Comcast, Wi-Fi Tagged With: Comcast, Levi's Stadium, LP Field, Mobile Sports Report, Paul Kapustka, Stadium Wi-Fi, Wells Fargo Center, Wi-Fi