Arthur Stanley and Nikkie Beltran
SYDNEY sports fans step in to an exhilarating new era from NRL opening weekend as a FREE and uninterrupted Wi-Fi service at Stadium Australia changes the event experience forever.
As a spectacular NRL triple-header kicks off the new season from 6-9 March, fans will be able to #scorefreewifi in the interactive playground that is Stadium Australia following a partnership with Telstra and internationally-renowned stadium Wi-Fi provider Cisco.
Stadium Australia is the first venue in Australasia to offer free Wi-Fi to ALL fans in and around the Stadium. At its simplest, the Connected Stadium project will make it easier to make a phone call, send a text message or connect with friends on social media even at sellout events.
But as fans GET CONNECTED via their mobile devices they also enter a vibrant interactive world that will feature a progressive rollout of rich digital content and technology to make their day or night at the Stadium easier, more enjoyable and infinitely more exciting.
Connecting to the Wi-Fi is done in three easy steps:
- Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your mobile device and select the ANZS Wi-Fi by OO network;
- Follow the prompts on the screen to connect;
- You’re Connected! Don’t forget to enter our SuperFan competition for your chance to win the great prizes outlined below.
The launch of Australasia’s first whole-stadium Wi-Fi network comes on the back of a major transport initiative, with NRL CEO Dave Smith announcing last week that tickets to all NRL games at Stadium Australia in season 2014 will include the cost of train transport to and from Sydney Olympic Park. Further, there will be a minimum of two direct trains from Central to Sydney Olympic Park for every NRL game at Stadium Australia, with the number of direct services varying depending on estimated crowds.
Stadium Australia Managing Director Daryl Kerry said the combination of no-cost train travel and a free and robust Wi-Fi service were the first of many planned initiatives to take the live event experience at Stadium Australia to the next level.
“There’s nothing better than being at the game and the event experience is only going to get better for the fans,” Mr Kerry said.
“The new Wi-Fi technology will allow you to enjoy the biggest events live and continue to be digitally connected.
“From NRL opening weekend we will have a Connected Stadium – one that will enable fans to share and engage with more content and more people from any device and from anywhere in the stadium.”
NRL Head of Marketing Lewis Pullen sad rugby league was about to enter an exciting new era with the switch-on of Wi-Fi at the sport’s largest stadium.
“We want our members and fans to be able to have the best possible game-day experience and this will certainly be of great value,” he said.
“There are so many ways for our 4.8 million cumulative fans on social media to connect with the game and this WI-FI initiative will put Stadium Australia at the forefront of venue services for Rugby League Members and fans.”
Special Wi-Fi coaches will be in and around Stadium Australia across NRL opening weekend to help fans with any questions relating to the new technology.
As the Wi-Fi features are rolled out this year across all sports and entertainment acts, fans will eventually be able to use their mobile devices to access rich digital content like replays and statistics, order food and beverages from their seats, and be rewarded for their game-day loyalty.
The new network will also simplify ticketing, help fans find the quickest way to their seats, and enable them to participate in and share live event action over social media from anywhere in the Stadium.
With more than 700 wireless access points, the Stadium Australia network has been configured in a similar manner to Metlife Stadium, New York, which in February became the first Superbowl host to provide a high-speed Wi-Fi service. The Stadium Australia service will also extend around the outside of the Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park to further enhance the visitor experience.
Kathy-Anne McManus, Media Practice Lead, Telstra Global Enterprise Services, said the Stadium Australia Connected Stadium project would “create a whole new experience for spectators” and would have the flexibility to integrate with the latest generation of technology into the future. “This solution puts Stadium Australia on par with some of the most iconic venues in the world,” she said.
#scorefreewifi @ANZStadium from NRL opening weekend
