Private wireless and the edge are transforming sports and entertainment venues – here’s how

Gone are the days when audience members would tolerate lack of connectivity and jammed networks at large sporting or music events. A packed stadium is no excuse for those used to uploading and sharing content with hordes of followers. Today the headline act, race or game is just one part of the entertainment. Spectators now want to create content, or get closer to the action, viewing it from an angle they can’t access at home.

As Summer 2024 continues to see attendance at sports events and festivals skyrocketing, it’s the networks that have changed to keep up with demand. And now those networks are enabling a new level of experience for attendees and those competing and working at an event. 5G, for example, has come a long way since 2018 when a pre-standardized version of the technology was tested at the Winter Olympics.

Enabling the connected event through 5G Private Wireless

Leveraging 5G private wireless networks, music and sport lovers can now access a fully connected experience from the moment they purchase their ticket to when they depart the stadium. Equipped with more data than ever before they can better bypass queues for the car parks and merchandise stands and gain a 360-degree view of the action.

A 2023 Morning Consult study released in collaboration with Nokia and Verizon, unveiled potential use cases and business impacts of private wireless for the entertainment industry, with 44% of respondents citing the ability to prioritize bandwidth for VIP guest devices, 42% highlighting how it can prioritize real-time communication at sporting events to avoid congestion, and 41% calling out its support for more reliable contactless and digital payments.

Private wireless offers a secure, flexible and robust connectivity platform for both fixed stadiums and nomadic events, held in fields, at historical sites or other areas of low or no connectivity. The ability to deploy coverage and capacity faster without cabling can overcome restrictions in these locations and makes for fewer headaches and trip hazards.

Beyond Connectivity leveraging Edge as the networks’ ‘beating heart’

Today, however, powerful and resilient 5G Private wireless networks are moving the stadium going experience even beyond connectivity when deployed with powerful edge cloud processing capabilities. All data is processed on site which means event organizers and stadium owners can implement low latency immersive services for spectators, teams, athletes, band members and event staff, that would never be possible, when reliant on cloud processing.

The connected festival or sports going experience begins with digital ticketing. Meaning access to printers is no longer required, tickets aren’t lost in the post and the chance of fraud occurring is reduced. When scanned at one of the multiple entry points, tickets are recognized across the network so there’s no opportunity for them to be scanned twice. By purchasing online users can also sign up to be informed of event changes, and even traffic and parking news on the day, reducing jams and queues and ensuring they aren’t frustrated before they arrive.

With stadium-wide 5G connectivity and ultra-low latency on-prem data processing, event organizers and owners can leverage multiple cameras positioned around the site to track the artists and athletes. Drone videos and images can also be reliably supported. Together these allow spectators a view from any angle over their smartphone or other device. Advanced data analytics can be performed in real time too, so viewers can also access real-time race stats and other data.

Aside from the main event, the connected venue will allow a whole host of other services to ensure an enhanced experience for those in attendance. Sensors at traditionally crowded areas including concession stalls, food outlets and outside restrooms can allow the public to better plan their time and ensure they see more of the action. Point of sale technology that operates over 5G private wireless will allow faster turnover to minimize queues and delays at concession stalls-

Staff communication is boosted, to augment support, including event security, with teams given access to live streams and real-time images from around the site. This can be enhanced further leveraging remote object tracking and alarms, ensuring teams are alerted at the earliest opportunity to potential incidents. Even track-side communication is supported, allowing secure coach-to-athlete communications, and real-time performance analysis enhanced by video and data and not impeded by spectator communications.

Event organizers and stadium owners can also monetize services over these powerful networks. They can, for example, implement VR and AR capabilities offered at a fee to racegoers or as entertainment in VIP areas, allowing attendees to experience an event as if they were competing or singing on stage, to direct and share personalized content with their subscribers. ‘Renting’ the network to concession stall owners, to implement services such as pre-orders and pick up of refreshments or merchandise, and even concierge or delivery services can be enabled, further reducing queue times and frustration.

The connected velodrome

France’s Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome was equipped with smart capabilities for the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in October 2022. At the site, 5G mmWave cameras make sure that spectators don’t miss any of the races whether they are watching in the arena or at the hospitality zone. Augmented audio streams allow spectators to choose the broadcast language they want over their smartphones and augmented reality is used to provide viewers access to relevant race and athlete stats. VIPs are offered a VR 360-degree view of races, while photojournalists can instantly upload images that VIPs can view from a digital gallery. During breaks from the racing, attendees can take a virtual spin on connected bikes to experience what it would feel like in a competition. 

5G Private Wireless and on-premise Edge Processing: The Winning Combination

By enabling attendees to immerse themselves in the event, streamline their day to avoid queues, and improve the management and security of the venue, the combination of private 5G networks and edge cloud processing enhances the overall stadium experience, making it more engaging and, perhaps even more importantly, more efficient for everyone involved.

David de Lancellotti is VP, CNS Enterprise Campus Edge Sales at Nokia, with a rich history of twenty-two years at Nokia/ALU/Lucent. Throughout his career, he has primarily focused on the Verizon account, where he held various positions, including Vice President of Global Sales. During this time, he established Verizon as a key service provider partner to the enterprise business. In 2019, David successfully led Nokia's North American enterprise sales team, achieving strong growth results before returning to the Verizon account.

Before joining Lucent, David gained valuable experience in the enterprise space, specifically focused on telecom solutions. His extensive expertise and leadership in sales, enterprise, technology, partner development, and the North American market make him an ideal fit for leading the Global GTM (Go-To-Market) organisation.