Cisco is introducing a new wireless Internet access system that it believes can relieve network congestion prevalent at sports venues. Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi seeks a fix by deploying wi-fi access in a much more concentrated fashion than most other methods, with signals aimed specifically at individual areas. "Network congestion is a major problem, perhaps the biggest problem, facing venue operators, and this solves it," said David Holland, Cisco GM & Senior VP of its sports and entertainment solutions group. The system, rooted in a new Cisco-built online access point designed for high-density venues, calls for using configuration of one access point for every 150-300 fans in a facility. Many other venues with wi-fi coverage have each access point covering several thousand fans. "Before wi-fi coverage was typically more like a floodlight and you often had overlap and resulting co-channel interference," said Cisco Senior Manager of Mobility Marketing Sylvia Hooks. "This is more like a flashlight, with one dedicated on every part of a venue. This also will relieve stress on cellular networks by moving traffic away from them." The system has been installed at the recently opened Livestrong Sporting Park in K.C., with more rollouts planned in the coming months. With the access points carrying a list price of $1,495 each and antennas at $945 each, the cost of an installation of Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi in a 30,000 seat venue could easily extend into six figures. But Cisco execs are seeking to position the system as more of an investment in which the improved bandwidth opens a wide variety of marketing and e-commerce opportunities. "There are all sorts of opportunities that now get properly opened up with video, food ordering, game tracking, advertising, and so forth with this," Holland said. "And we think this should really help in the competition with the couch."
