AusLeisure

Telecommunications companies Telstra and Ericsson have teamed up to deliver 5G coverage at the MCG in time for Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.

Having previously partnered with the Melbourne Cricket Club to deliver 3G and 4G services at the MCG, the two companies are now installing their latest technology at Australia’s largest venue.

On Saturday, fans of Richmond and Greater Western Sydney Giants with Telstra 5G handsets will benefit from the enhanced network experience, which will enable faster browsing and downloads enabled through greater capacity.

Following Saturday’s game, Telstra and Ericsson engineers will continue to test and refine the stadium’s 4G and 5G coverage for future deployment solutions at the ground.

Advising of the deployment, Nikos Katinakis, Telstra’s Group Executive of Networks and IT, stated “the speed and capacity of 5G is great on days like the AFL Grand Final.

“On match day last year, we saw a massive 3.8 terabytes of data sent over Telstra’s mobile network at the MCG - equivalent to 1,200 hours of HD video content. There are also benefits for customers using 4G, as the underlying network is also enhanced by the installation of the latest technologies.”

Melbourne Cricket Club Chief Executive Stuart Fox added “we are pleased to be the first stadium in Australia to provide patrons with access to the 5G network thanks to Telstra and Ericsson. Fans expect to step into greatness when visiting the ‘G and this is another way we are enhancing Grand Final Day experiences.

“Ahead of hosting matches and the Finals of the ICC T20 Women’s and Men’s World Cups next year, the 5G at the ‘G technology puts us into an elite category to cater to international broadcasters, media and fans.”

Telstra has been a partner of the MCC since 2015.

Image: The 2017 AFL Grand Final.

Related Articles

13th September 2019 - AFL finals tickets packages removed from sale amid scalping claims

11th September 2019 - MCG gains awards recognition for shortening fan wait times

8th September 2019 - Digital transformation sees the Melbourne Cricket Ground cut carbon emissions by 17%

24th February 2019 - Solar project to light the way in and around the MCG and Yarra Park

30th August 2018 - AFL to stagger Finals ticket sales after website crash

25th May 2018 - MCC recognised as ‘innovator of the year’ at international Green Sports Alliance Awards

24th March 2016 - MCG offers world-class connectivity to AFL fans

13th October 2015 - Live Nation Australia and Telstra agree new strategic partnership

13th October 2014 - Telstra’s ‘Connected Lounge’ at ANZ Stadium lifts the bar for fan experience

17th September 2014 - Etihad Stadium and Telstra combine to deliver next generation fan experience

21st January 2014 - A whole new view: Telstra to launch AFL app for Google Glass

29th October 2013 - Telstra announces ANZ Stadium to become Wi-Fi connected

9th May 2013 - Wi-Fi Solution to meet the needs of sporting events

19th October 2012 - Ericsson launches stadium-optimised Wi-Fi solution

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.