Dallas Cowboys improve stadium cell coverage for fans

The Dallas Cowboys are the latest National Football League franchise to add new antennas to their stadium in a bid to improve cellular connectivity and data speeds.

It’s an example of how teams are gearing up to welcome more fans in the 2021 season. And it could help solve a common problem for people in large venues: poor cell service, high speeds. slow data or the inability to make and receive calls when thousands of people try to use the network at the same time.

The antennas are made by MatSing, which helps sports teams increase connectivity speeds in large complexes. The company declined to reveal details of its financial data, but said it was “profitable” and increased “three times last year.”

The Cowboys and network partner AT&T, which owns the naming rights to the $ 1.2 billion site, have agreed to install 20 MatSing antennas ahead of the team’s opener on September 27. Larsson hasn’t revealed how much the team spent, but the company’s antennas range in price from $ 10,000 to $ 250,000. The equipment looks like huge golf balls located near the roof of the AT&T stadium.

In an interview with CNBC, MatSing CEO Bo Larsson said the company’s antennas use less power than older models and can reach farther to help improve network coverage.

This season, more fans will be heading to NFL stadiums as pandemic restrictions on sporting events are lifted – for now. Larsson, a former Sony executive, said teams will need to deal with connection infrastructure to prepare for the 5G expansion.

Sports clubs and network providers traditionally use antennas that look like large loudspeakers suspended from the ceiling of a venue. Antennas have also been placed under the seats, which Larsson says can be dangerous. The American Cancer Society claims that this type of radiation, if “absorbed by the body in large enough amounts,” can damage tissue and eventually cause cancer.

Stadiums also have too many antennas, which can cause interference. By placing its antennas on the ceiling, signals have a better “line of sight,” which helps devices communicate, Larsson said.

Fans are also using their phones to do more in the stadiums. Cowboys chief information officer Matthew Messick said the team’s old antenna system had run out of capacity, preventing viewers from sharing Cowboys-related content on social media platforms .

“That’s what fans are expecting these days – sharing their experiences,” Messick told CNBC on Monday. “We have terminated our old infrastructure and provided a bad experience for our fans. It all depends on how your fans connect with the outside world.”

Larsson added, “You need optimal connectivity because of crowd management, contactless transactions and people are more concerned about security than ever. “

Steve Alexander, chief technology officer at global network strategy firm Ciena, said communication between IoT (Internet of Things) in NFL stadiums also requires efficient connections. These devices are sensors in player equipment and cameras around stadiums that collect data for sports analysis.

“All of this requires a good network infrastructure,” said Alexander, predicting that over the next 10 years, on-site experiences would become “richer and more immersive”.

Ciena provides network equipment and software services to operators such as Verizon and AT&T.

Larsson is keen to expand MatSing’s sports portfolio, especially as new ticketing models and sports betting experiences continue to grow. The NFL uses MatSing for events like the Super Bowl. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders (Allegiant Stadium), Indianapolis Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium) and NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks also use the antennas.

“The connection has to be instant because you could bet on things like the next game,” Larsson said. “And it’s a long-lasting investment because you can use the same equipment and continue to grow.”