The '12 London Olympics technology launch “combining the expertise” of sponsors Atos, Acer, Airwave, BT, Cisco, Omega, Panasonic and Samsung took place yesterday at the Games Technology Operations Centre with journalists “being asked to keep the location a secret for fear of security attacks,” according to Jacquelin Magnay of the London TELEGRAPH. The event “happened at the same time as BlackBerry services around the world collapsed because of problems at its RIM data centre.” LOCOG said that “any widespread disruption to their wireless network” at the park would “not seriously impact on Games operations.” LOCOG CIO Gerry Pennell said, "In very extreme circumstances where a terrorist attack might take down the wireless network, we would continue to operate on radio networks, airwave and fixed telephone networks and satellite phones are available to some people as well." Pennell said that he “could not guarantee a seamless mobile phone experience for Olympic Park spectators, especially at peak demand times.” Magnay noted a decision on free WiFi in the Olympic park “has still not been made.” Communications services provider BT said that it “had already installed optic cable around the Park so that the capacity of the park could be optimised.” In addition, information partner Atos said that 30% “more data would be generated.” About US$682M, or “a quarter of the Games operating budget -- is being spent on Games technology” (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 10/10).
