Menu
Facilities

Don't Bank On It: NFL Panthers Struggling With Wi-Fi Demands At BofA Stadium

The "latest off-field challenge" for the NFL Panthers is keeping up with fans' "expectations for quick and reliable phone service" inside Bank of America Stadium, according to a front-page piece by Deon Roberts of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. The Panthers and AT&T said that they are trying to give fans a "reliable connection." They have "invested in upgrades to the stadium’s Wi-Fi and antenna systems so that fans can use their phones, but keeping up with data demands is tough." AT&T in '10 installed a DAS for its customers at the stadium, and in '12 "redesigned that system, expanding its capacity, increasing data speeds and making it possible for other carriers to provide service." Sprint and Verizon then began "providing cellular service through the antenna system." In response to a "rise in data use on smartphones," AT&T later that year installed Wi-Fi to "take strain off the antenna system." But some fans said that they "have trouble staying connected to the Wi-Fi." AT&T prior to the '13 season "expanded the Wi-Fi access points in the stadium from approximately 460 to 645." The company said that it also "added additional capacity to the antenna system for this season." Verizon said that its network is "currently being restored" after this year's renovations to the stadium. The Panthers said that upgrades were "made to the stadium’s wireless system" this offseason and that "no public money was used." The team said the wireless service "had some issues" during the Oct. 5 game against the Bears, "but the majority of the stadium worked efficiently." The Panthers also "provide phones throughout the stadium for fans to make free local calls" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/22).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: April 25, 2024

Motor City's big weekend; Kevin Warren's big bet; Bill Belichick's big makeover and the WNBA's big week continues

TNT’s Stan Van Gundy, ESPN’s Tim Reed, NBA Playoffs and NFL Draft

On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two Big Get interviews. The first is with TNT’s Stan Van Gundy as he breaks down the NBA Playoffs from the booth. Later in the show, we hear from ESPN’s VP of Programming and Acquisitions Tim Reed as the NFL Draft gets set to kick off on Thursday night in Motown. SBJ’s Tom Friend also joins the show to share his insights into NBA viewership trends.

SBJ I Factor: Molly Mazzolini

SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate's Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/10/22/Facilities/BofA-Stadium.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/10/22/Facilities/BofA-Stadium.aspx

CLOSE