A network for the fans, by the fans
Jenny Lindqvist, Head of Market Area Europe & Latin America at Ericsson visits the European Mega event semi-final in Munich and, together with Lead Project Director Optimization, Markus Bueltemann, explains the support Ericsson gave mobile network operators to offer the best 5G network experience to fans in Germany.
When leading network operators promised their customers to have 5G everywhere and unlimited data during the tournament, we couldn't wait to help them deliver.
We provided 5G radio solutions and network expansions, including key event network optimization and live performance monitoring for the stadiums, fan zones and crucial areas, particularly in Munich and Frankfurt. Our teams worked both remotely and on site, constantly monitoring and looking for any blockages which may hamper fans mobile user experience.
The key focus improved downlink and uplink performance, providing enhanced 5G connectivity, benefiting hundreds of thousands of fans to use the network to live stream from the actual games but also enable them to move around the city easily to find hotels, book restaurants and taxis.
“We've seen and mastered similar events all over the world and we've prepared the stadiums with advanced 5G equipment with very good results to customer experience."
Markus Bueltemann, Project Director for Network Optimization, Ericsson
The Network API perspective from Seat 5, Row G
Network APIs can build a bridge to new future experiences
We are at the beginning of an immersive era in professional sporting and entertainment events. Fan engagement is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviours. Fans today are actively seeking immersive mobile-first experiences and the ability to instantly engage with friends via social media and messaging in a way that wasn’t possible in the past.
With two terabytes of data per second transported over the Deutsche Telekom network during one game of the tournament this summer, the demand from consumers to communicate and share content seamlessly is happening right now and growing all the time. A recent Snapchat study found that 73 percent of respondents can’t imagine watching sports without their phones nearby to engage in active group chats, and for Gen-Z, this figure jumps to 94 percent. 52 percent of respondents said that they rely on social media and messaging apps to stay updated about sporting events they aren’t watching.
Peter Arbitter, SVP of MagentaBusiness API (MACE) at Deutsche Telekom, and Niklas Heuveldop, Vonage CEO and Head of Business Area Global Communications Platform for Ericsson, met to discuss the future role 5G and network APIs can play in taking the immersive fan experience to a new level.
"I can only imagine what possibilities will be the norm for us all as the 5G network functionality opens up, partnerships are created, new technologies come into play like Ai, AR and VR. We’re just at the start and there’s one thing for sure, it’s going to be big!"
Peter Arbitter, SVP Magenta API Capability Exposure, Deutsche Telecom
A new immersive era for fans with 5G
Brands need to reach fans where they are, particularly in a digital age where over 80 percent of fans may never visit a stadium, and create a holistic, immersive experience that blends the excitement of live games with personalised and interconnected digital experiences. This requires the right level of network performance, coverage, and capacity the power of 5G can deliver.
5G can also pave the way for new immersive experiences such as augmented reality with faster, more uniform data rates. Fans will be able to access multiple player stats at sports events and replay or view the live experience from different angles. For venue operators and broadcasters, mobile camera teams inside will benefit from a real-time, seamless connectivity lane to broadcast with a 5G ‘network slice’, guaranteeing uninterrupted capacity and low latency. It will also be a key enabler of AI solutions as it will enable real-time data collection and analysis. At the same time, new use cases will be uncovered through the network.
Ericsson and Vonage are leading the development of a global network platform for open innovation and opening up the network for third-party developers to make network capabilities universally available for further innovation. With 5G, Vonage is extending its CPaaS platform, to create advanced use cases, from optimised logistics to network slicing, cloud gaming, and more. The key is exposing new capabilities to developers from within the 5G network that have never before been available. Network APIs will further revolutionise the fan experience by opening up innovations for real-time streaming of immersive video using multiple cameras, latency-sensitive applications like VR, and much more.
In short, the future of sports with 5G technology is exciting. From the way fans watch games to how stadiums operate and even how the athletes train and perform, 5G is set to revolutionise the sports industry. And as the technology continues to develop, its full potential will undoubtedly be realised, leading to innovative applications that we can only begin to imagine.
Now, let’s hear from the fans!
“As fast as a Cheetah!”
Germany fan in Frankfurt, July 2024
