If you’ve ever had the privilege of watching the Six Nations or Autumn Internationals at Twickenham Stadium, you’ll know the pain of trying to send a selfie to friends or posting a match-winning drop goal on social media. With this famous arena – which was recently renamed the Allianz Stadium – holding over 80,000 people, mobile networks are often completely overloaded and unable to cope with the sheer demand and number of phones connected to them.
O2 now says it hopes to fix this issue thanks to launching a dedicated 5G network which is now installed at the venue.
For those not aware, 5G is the latest mobile system that offers faster speeds and can handle more devices connected simultaneously. That makes it perfect for bustling train stations and people-packed stadiums.
O2 has installed 34 dedicated 5G coverage zones serving the entire stadium bowl with the network boasting that it believes this is the highest capacity stadium deployment in the UK.
The upgrade should now mean rugby fans can seamlessly upload photos, stream match highlights and stay connected even at stadium capacity attendance.
Speaking about the changes, Jon Conn, RFU Digital Technology Director said: “Providing the very best matchday experience at Allianz Stadium is a top priority for us and that includes our fans’ ability to stay connected.
“In an increasingly digital world, the O2 upgrade will significantly enhance connectivity for fans who want to be able to share images, view content and keep in touch with friends and family throughout the day.”
News of this update to Twickenham comes as EE has also confirmed a network boost at Wembley as well.
The UK provider has now fitted a fully standalone 5G system into the famous venue and is promising faster mobile internet speeds along with more reliable connectivity.
“The Lionesses have made history with their ground-breaking performances on the pitch, and now we’ve made history off it with the launch of the first 5G standalone network at Wembley Stadium,” said Marc Allera, CEO at EE.
Hopefully these updates will finally means sports fans can keep in touch and use their phones without fear of things dropping out.