With the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E, wireless technology is entering a new era. It’s an exciting time for Wi-Fi users and the entire networking industry. Traditionally, the most challenging vertical to deploy Wi-Fi has been stadiums and arenas. Providing a quality Wi-Fi user experience in a bowl with 40,000 or more fans is the ultimate high-density challenge. And I am proud to say that Extreme Networks has met that challenge as the market leader for stadium and arena Wi-Fi deployment and analytics. A decade-long history of success via partnerships with many major sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, and more. If you can master the art of stadium Wi-Fi, you should be able to address any challenging Wi-Fi environment with confidence.
Deploying Wi-Fi in an arena requires a well-thought-out design, planning, and validation process. Because some arenas may require as many as 1500 access points, channel reuse patterns are critical. As I have written in numerous blogs, Wi-Fi 6E brings 1,200 MHz of new spectrum in the 6 GHz band. To put this in perspective, the new 6 GHz spectrum available for Wi-Fi is more than double the usable channels of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels combined. The availability of numerous 6 GHz channels opens many possibilities for improving facility operations and making venues more efficient. Furthermore, the new 6 GHz channels will enhance the fan experience, provide even greater wireless capacity, and enable richer interactions between fans and venues. 6 GHz Wi-Fi will also trigger many new potential methods of fan engagement, including augmented reality (AR).
Recently, I had a great time representing Extreme Networks at a Wi-Fi Now conference in Stockholm. While there, I had the pleasure of talking with Martha DeGrasse, host of The Signal podcast courtesy of the Wi-Fi Alliance. We discussed how Wi-Fi is changing the game for sports fans and the impact of 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 6E.
Please take a moment to listen and learn more about how 6 GHz Wi-Fi will continue to revolutionize fan engagement and the technical challenges that come with keeping stadiums connected:
