Telstra to carry out Etihad Stadium tech upgrade

Melbourne stadium signs five-year, multimillion dollar deal with the telco

AFL fans will get access to a free Etihad Stadium app following the Wi-Fi network rollout in February 2015.

AFL fans will get access to a free Etihad Stadium app following the Wi-Fi network rollout in February 2015.

Credit: s vvdbs

Telstra (ASX: TLS) will carry out a multimillion dollar technology upgrade of the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, including deploying 1600 IPTV-capable screens and a Wi-Fi network by February 2015.

Punters will be able to watch content and enter competitions on the 1600 high definition screens. Stadium sponsors, including Telstra, plan to use the TV screens to broadcast advertisements.

A free Etihad Stadium app will feature AFL game day coverage and news in real time.

The rollout is scheduled for February next year in time for the start of the AFL season. Cisco Systems is providing the Connected Stadium Wi-Fi and IPTV network under the five-year deal with Etihad Stadium.

Telstra's group executive of retail, Gordon Ballantyne, said the telco wanted stadium spectators to be “better connected” with their favourite sports teams.

“Technology for fans at an AFL match used to be a scratchy transistor radio with an ear piece. The connected stadium means attendees can now have a better experience with social media, watch streamed video and access [AFL] statistics in real time,” he said in a statement.

In July 2014, Telstra announced that it would carry out a $7 million upgrade of Adelaide Oval Stadium including the introduction of 1000 IPTV-capable screens and upgrading the mobile network in the area to 4G.

Follow Hamish Barwick on Twitter: @HamishBarwick

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Tags TelstraAFLciscoMelbourneConnected StadiumAustralian Football LeagueEtihad Stadium

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