The Etihad Stadium matchday experience is moving into the future, after Manchester City announced the installation of Wi-Fi internet for supporters.
The Blues have followed Liverpool, who installed the service at Anfield last month, and will have connectivity for fans up-and-running in the coming weeks.
Tom Glick, chief commercial and operating officer at Manchester City, is excited about the service, run in association with O2 and Cisco.
“This will ensure a visit to the Etihad Stadium continues to be one of the best sports experiences available anywhere in the world,” he said.
“We are delighted to be able to offer supporters a system that allows them to better utilise their own mobile devices when at the Stadium.
“With the ground and its immediate vicinity offering ubiquitous connectivity, we will soon be able to provide full talk and texting capabilities.”
The stadium, which has also been announced as a venue for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, holds a capacity of 47,000.
And the club announced plans to introduce StadiumVision Mobile, offering fans replays, alternative camera angles and a dynamic data channel direct to mobile devices.
With the impending introduction of goal-line technology in Premier League grounds, this step is part of the process of modernising football.
Paul Lawton, general manager of SMB at O2, is delighted to have landed the contract to provide Wi-Fi services at the Etihad.
“This will result in the provision of high-speed connection anywhere in the stadium for fans, allowing them to capture and share their experience in a digital way,” he said.
“It is something we are passionate about as a business.”
Picture courtesy of Bill Boaden, with thanks.
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