Cisco yesterday at Livestrong Sporting Park “unveiled two technologies designed to enhance the fan experience,” and both will be the “first of their kind” at an MLS stadium in the U.S., according to Charles Gooch of the K.C. STAR. When Sporting KC opens the new facility tomorrow night against the Chicago Fire, Connected Stadium Wi-Fi will allow fans to “wirelessly harness a high-speed Internet signal on their mobile devices.” Cisco's high-density routers -- there are “196 of them blanketing the venue -- will provide easy access to mobile applications (such as the team's first app, Sporting Explore), social-networking sites and more on their smartphones, tablets or laptops.” Cisco Sports & Entertainment Solutions GM & Senior VP Dave Holland said that Livestrong Park is “one of ‘two or three’ venues using this sort of router but the first in the United States.” MLS Sporting KC and Cisco said that “if the stadium is filled to capacity, 80 percent of the stadium could connect with minimal lag.” Meanwhile, Cisco StadiumVision can “deliver customized HD video to any of the venue's 300 HDTVs.” Holland said it is the "next generation of fan experience." The Internet-protocol TV platform “will enable the team to push dynamic updates throughout the game and offer specific content to specific screens -- whether it be advertising, out-of-town scores, different camera angles, team trivia, weather, etc.” All of the suites at Livestrong Park “will utilize StadiumVision and are controlled by an iPad app.” Livestrong Sporting Park will be the “first MLS venue in North America using StadiumVision -- it is currently in use in several NFL stadiums” (K.C. STAR, 6/8).
