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Cisco’s Connected Stadium Wi-Fi Promises Spectators Data and More
| Jul 7, 2011 | Mobile Access Infrastructure
| Analyst: Daryl Schoolar
Event Summary
July 6, 2011 – Cisco announced its new Connected Stadium Wi-Fi solution. With this solution announcement the vendor also announced the availability of a new access point, the Aironet 3500p, designed specifically for stadium deployments. The access point uses a directional antenna that will help focus the signal in high-density areas, and reduce interference from other Wi-Fi access points and devices. The promised performance improvements of the 3500p will help facility owners and service providers deliver video content and venue specific marketing messages to stadium guests.
Quick Take
Analytical Summary
• Current Perspective: Moderate on Cisco’s Connected Stadium Wi-Fi solution as the new Aironet 3500p along with application support provides service providers and venue owners with a more complete solutions package; taking Wi-Fi beyond just the traditional hotspot offering. Application support to monetize the network helps Cisco stand out from other infrastructure vendors who lack the scale to integrate third-party vendors into their network offerings. Unfortunately Cisco leaves much to be guessed at when it comes to its role with those applications, or how it plans to integrate service providers better into what is often a facility driven network build process – both of which are very important components of this solution.
• Vendor Importance: High to Cisco as continued solution refinements are important for the vendor to keep its market position in providing Wi-Fi networks for public access via both venue owners and service providers. Cisco is not new to building Wi-Fi networks at sports complexes, having built networks for AT&T Park in San Francisco and Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, but Connected Stadium is a more complete solution for this market than what the company has previously offered. This also ties in well with the vendor’s bigger initiative regarding Hotspot 2.0. While Hotspot 2.0 is about making access to hotspots easier and safer, the vendor also needs to promote solutions that will expand Wi-Fi availability to make Hotspot 2.0 more attractive, which this newly announced stadium solution does.
• Market Impact: Moderate on the Wi-Fi offload market as solutions using directional antennas and interference mitigating solutions are becoming more common. BelAir Networks, Ruckus Wireless and Wavion all market their own solutions in this area. However it is Cisco’s focus on coupling the Wi-Fi network with vertical specific applications is what really differentiates Connected Stadium in a way its competitors currently can’t meet.
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Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi Delivers "Next Generation Mobility Experience" for Fans at Sports and Entertainment Venues
Guests Can Utilize Their Wi-Fi-Enabled Devices for More Interactive and Personalized Experiences at Events
SAN JOSE, Calif. July 6, 2011 Furthering its leadership in networking and telecommunications, Cisco today introduced new solutions to help sports and entertainment venues and service providers enhance wireless bandwidth and performance in high-density areas while monetizing the delivery of personalized mobile experiences.
Cisco's Connected Sports solutions are networking the sports and entertainment industry to deliver rich and interactive experiences pervasively to fans anytime, anywhere.
Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi is the industry's first Wi-Fi solution specifically designed for large high-density environments such as stadiums and arenas. The tailored solution provides a single, highly secure wireless network that extends real-time, reliable access to mobile applications and services simultaneously to the thousands of fans congregating in these venues, while creating new business opportunities for teams, venue owners and operators.
As the use of smartphone and other Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices continue to rise, guests in attendance at games and other events are seeking a reliable and consistent mobility experience. Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi provides high-capacity, blanket Wi-Fi coverage on a converged and customizable network for all persons in attendance at the event, including employees, back office and press operations.
Core to the solution is the latest in wireless technology innovation, the Cisco Aironetฎ3500p Access Point with CleanAir technology, which is optimized to deliver these capabilities.
ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
New Wi-Fi Networking Innovations for High-Density Environments
The Aironet 3500p is Cisco's first purpose-built access point specifically designed to meet the performance and aesthetic needs of high-density environments.
This new access point optimizes performance through a high-density directional antenna and special configuration that allows precise focus of the wireless airwaves into a concentrated area.
Cisco Aironet 3500p has customizable settings that tailor the solution to operate effectively in the unique configurations of sports and entertainment venues. Further, the flat-panel design of the antenna easily blends into these highly visual environments.
Cisco Aironet's CleanAir technology minimizes wireless interference by detecting and avoiding other wireless traffic in the area, improving performance and reliability. This results in a significant increase in Wi-Fi coverage and capacity for mobile devices, opening the door to next-generation fan experiences offered by teams, leagues, venues and service providers.
Customized and Personalized Mobile Experiences for Guests
Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi allows service providers to more effectively offload video and data traffic onto a Wi-Fi network in high-density environments, delivering enhanced mobile experiences to fans and innovative new revenue opportunities for sports properties and venue operators.
For sports and entertainment properties, this solution offers the ability to utilize a single Wi-Fi network for all wireless needs, providing reliable coverage that helps offer a more customized and mobile experience for fans.
Venue specific offerings, such as video replays, loyalty programs, event statistics and information and logistics, and food and beverage purchases can be used to engage fans in new ways, translating into revenue growth potential.
High-Density Wi-Fi Beyond Arenas and Stadiums
Cisco continues its industry leadership with its role in the development of the Hotspot 2.0 standard aimed at providing an industry standard for highly secure and seamless Wi-Fi authentication and roaming.
Cisco and partners expect to scale Next Generation Hotspot technology with participation in global trials started by the Wireless Broadband Alliance this month, based on the Wi-Fi Certified Hotspot program announced in March.
Supporting Quotes
Robb Heineman, CEO, Sporting Club
"We want to offer our fans the highest quality connectivity to their mobile devices while attending our games, while also offering them compelling services that enrich their overall experience. By deploying the new Connected Stadium Wi-Fi solution we were able to eliminate congestion on 3G/4G networks, allowing us to provide innovative services and unique experiences to our fans and ultimately improve ticket sales."
David Holland, general manager and senior vice president of Sports and Entertainment Solutions Group, Cisco
"Cisco is proud to work with forward thinking brands such as Sporting Club to bring a unique and technologically advanced experience for fans through flexible and customizable networking solutions. The Connected Stadium Wi-FI solution aims to meet the unique needs of today's passionate fans at live events by providing a reliable and consistent mobility experience. We believe this solution will truly transform the fan experience and help fuel significant growth opportunities."
Ray Smets, vice president and general manager, Wireless Networking business unit, Cisco
"Cisco continues its industry leadership in wireless networking technology with the Aironet 3500p Access Point with CleanAir technology, which was created with the intent to provide the unique performance and aesthetic needs of high-density environments. We are excited to work with world-class venues and service providers to create secure and reliable Wi-Fi experiences."
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.
