Page 73 - Computer Power User - February 2017

wireless connectivity—attending NFL have numerous Wi-Fi coaches onsite to And as a team operator and ownership, they
games. Upgrades were also needed to assist fans at Super Bowl LI. want people sharing their experience in their
handle the increase in higher-quality John Brams, Extreme Networks director environment, as well,” Brams says.
images and videos that fans share on of sports and entertainment, says in-stadium Fan demand only ramps up for Super
social media from within stadiums. Wi-Fi has gone way beyond a “nice-to- Bowls. At Super Bowl 50, a record 10TB
Michelle McKenna-Doyle, NFL CIO, have thing” to become an expectation the of data passed over Levi’s Stadium’s Wi-Fi
told TechRepublic.com that early on, same way concessions and bathrooms are network. “Fans come earlier and stay
enhancing in-stadium connectivity “was just expected. Realistically, he says, the longer,” Brams says. “Everything from a
about the tolerance level for our younger network is there to support what fans do network-capacity perspective ramps up, as
fans” and much less about “accessibility on a daily basis, which 50% of the time is well. You get a normal amount of people,
and connectivity for other fans. Now, it’s social media. “People want to share their for example, taking pictures and sharing
every person who attends a game.” experience and want others to understand those, but think about a Super Bowl
At Levi’s Stadium, enhancing what they’re doing in that environment. experience. You get the pre-game stuff
connectivity meant 400 miles of data
cabling, 12,000-plus physical network
ports, 1,200-plus Wi-Fi access points, Madden Gamers Get The NFL Treatment
about 1,200 Bluetooth beacons, and a
40Gbps backbone of available internet Where football and videogames are concerned, “Madden” is the word that comes to mind for
bandwidth. For the 2018 Super Bowl at most. Thus, it makes perfect sense that EA and the NFL announced in mid-December a national
the Minnesota Vikings’ new U.S. Bank Madden 17 Club Series tournament involving participation from eight NFL teams, including the
Stadium, there will reportedly be enough Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks,
antennas and Wi-Fi access points in place Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs.
that “all 66,200 fans could theoretically
jump on” the network at once. Starting in late December, Madden players could select which team to represent in online
Historically, Kapustka says getting a qualifying ladder tournaments that started in early January, from which eight finalists will move
good signal at a stadium was impossible. on to club tournaments held at the team’s respective facilities. The Jaguars team, for example,
Today, though, most pro sports venues was scheduled to hold its competition at US Assure Club East using NanoLumens LED displays
and many large college arenas and measuring 19 x 11 feet to create a “larger-than-life Madden experience.”
stadiums offer high-quality Wi-Fi and
enhanced cellular. “It’s always a nice At the Club
surprise when the basic connectivity tournaments, the
exceeds your expectations, no matter finalists will compete
where you roam inside a stadium,” he for $10,000 in prizes
says. “At the NFL venues I’ve been in (including cash,
recently—Levi’s Stadium, AT&T player-autographed
Stadium, and Sports Authority Field memorabilia, and team
at Mile High—coverage is solid across merchandise) before
the board on both Wi-Fi and cellular.” live audiences watching
Feature-wise, Kapustka says the in-seat via streams on each
delivery services at Levi’s Stadium “were team’s website and
surprisingly fast and welcome, allowing mobile app, as well
me to watch an entire touchdown drive as the Madden NFL
while waiting for my beer and pretzel, Twitch Channel. Club
instead of standing in line.” tournaments will begin
For Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium, Through its Madden 17 Club Series tournament, EA is giving players the Feb. 18 in Minnesota
Extreme Networks is serving as the official chance to represent one of eight NFL teams in competition. Eventually, and conclude March
Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi analytics provider. Prior eight finalists will compete for $50,000 in prizes and the chance to 22 at the Chiefs’
to this season, Wi-Fi didn’t even exist at move on to the 2017 EA Sports Madden Championship in May. Arrowhead Stadium.
NRG. Reportedly, the company’s wired Eventually, one winner
and wireless solution includes 1,260 access from each club tournament will advance to the Madden 17 Club Series Championship in April
points (including custom under-the-seat where another $50,000 in prizes will be on tap. Finalists will also have a chance to qualify for
APs) located throughout the stadium. The the 2017 EA Sports Madden Championship in May.
company’s Wi-Fi Coaches program will

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