Optus set to improve major stadium connectivity

While they didn’t go as far as to suggest they would emulate the LTE-B (Broadcast over the Mobile network) technology that Telstra are rolling out, Optus have today made a commitment to improve its network in and around our major sporting stadiums – music to the ears of sports loves and concert fans.

We’ve all been there right?  80,000 people, screaming, cheering, trying to Instagram – nothing.

The problem is congestion and capacity.  Too many people, too small a connection – just like when your kids grow up and start using more of your home broadband and things start slowing down for everyone – just on an enormous scale:)

Today Optus announced they will improve their network in major stadiums to create better connections and faster uploads.

You can expect this will happen first and foremost to sit alongside their major digital partnerships with Cricket Australia or the Australian Open, but in time it will be beneficial for all.

The trials start with Optus and Nokia testing new network improvement upgrades at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

It turns out that all those competing devices trying to access the network actually results in lower power levels (and therefore speeds/service) and by drowning each other out the devices are also causing an increase in battery drain.  It’s all bad news.

What they’re doing is upgrading and increasing the uplink capacity for the 4G Plus network in and around ANZ Stadium which should help with all of that.

It’s all pretty complex, but all roads lead to State of Origin – the first big test of the year for a huge capacity crowd.

Optus also say they will “create new experiences for fans beyond improving how they connect with each other but also how they interact with the events and content. Delivering live video to many users at the same time can be very inefficient so Optus will continue explore LTE Broadcast solutions” – explore, not commit to – but that’s ok – lets let Telstra be the guinea pigs for that one!