Technology companies IBM and Cisco and construction firm Cockram will build a "high-density secure Wi-Fi network" at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, according to Chris Griffith of THE AUSTRALIAN. The Melbourne Cricket Club which operates the stadium on Wednesday unveiled new "hi-tech plans" for the MCG, which includes LED lighting that "can be set" to club colors. The Melbourne Cricket Club said that the move would see the venue "become one of Australia's most technically advanced and connected stadiums." Patrons at stadiums that already have Wi-Fi "tend to find it overloaded and useless when there is a large crowd there." The MCC believes it "will not have this problem." It said, "The Wi-Fi network will enable up to 100,000 people to connect while in the stadium, with 25,000 concurrent connections" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/4). In Melbourne, Daniel Cherny reported tenant clubs and other home teams "will also be able to utilise a new
exterior LED lighting system, allowing them to brand the outside of
their ground" in their own colors by the start of May. A state-of-the-art Internet protocol television (IPTV) system and "improved amenities for media have also been announced." The moves are the latest phase in a A$45M ($35M) investment in
technology by the MCC, which has "already led to the two largest
high-definition scoreboards in the country" (THE AGE, 2/4).