Fast mobile communications for sports fans in Munich:O₂ Telefónica equips SAP Garden with modern 5G network

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Telecommunications provider O₂ Telefónica is equipping the new multifunctional SAP Garden sports arena in Munich with a modern 5G network. Sports fans at the 11,500-seat venue in Munich's Olympic Park, the new home of Red Bull Munich's ice hockey team and FC Bayern Munich's basketball team, will benefit from high data transfer rates and short response times when surfing the O₂ network. O₂ Telefónica will also be able to provide its partner, Red Bull Stadion München GmbH, with a private 5G network via the mobile infrastructure, enabling new digital applications such as real-time analytics and offering guaranteed bandwidths for TV cameras.

Matthias Sauder, Director Mobile Access & Transport and responsible for network rollout at O₂ Telefónica, says: “We are building a world-class mobile network for Germany's most modern sports arena. O₂ customers as well as all other fans will benefit from fast 5G and new digital applications when they watch future sporting events at SAP Garden. We ensure that viewers are optimally connected and can share their experiences digitally with other fans at any time. 5G also opens up new opportunities for TV teams and live broadcasts. As a Munich-based telecommunications provider, we are proud to play a part in the success of this prestigious project in German sports, which is located directly in sight of our O₂ Tower.”

Oliver Wesp, Managing Director of Red Bull Stadion München GmbH, explains, “We will offer our spectators unique sporting events and great experiences in the SAP Garden. This also includes an excellent network. With O₂ Telefónica, we have an experienced partner at our side who will offer visitors to the SAP Garden comprehensive mobile coverage with state-of-the-art technology.”

350 mobile communications antennas ensure outstanding network experience

As project leader, O₂ Telefónica is building a high-performance mobile network for all three German network operators in the entire indoor and outdoor area of the multifunctional sports arena. In the future, 350 antennas will ensure comprehensive network coverage with 2G/GSM, 4G/LTE and 5G. O₂ Telefónica is also using the 3.6 gigahertz frequencies, which are suitable for particularly fast 5G and provide additional network capacity for fans. All stadium visitors can share pictures and videos with family and friends at any time when their stars are in action in the SAP Garden. They can also easily watch parallel livestreams or view real-time analysis of the action. High-performance connectivity is also critical for the e-sports events planned at SAP Garden.

5G coverage indoors and outdoors

In addition to the indoor area, the cellular coverage also includes the basement levels. These include three ice rinks for training purposes, locker rooms, parking areas and supply facilities. In addition, coverage extends to the outdoor areas of the sports arena to provide visitors with an excellent network experience as soon as they arrive.

5G opens up new possibilities for live broadcasts

O₂ Telefónica can provide Red Bull Stadion München GmbH with a private 5G network for its own purposes via the mobile communications infrastructure on site. The 5G standard opens up completely new possibilities for live broadcasts, for example, enabling the partners to create even more emotional live events for sports enthusiasts. Professional TV cameras and smartphones can be networked via 5G and used flexibly on site. This creates new perspectives for the match action as well as for pre- and post-match reporting - and viewers are even closer to the action. In 2023, O₂ Telefónica started the first installation work for the antenna systems. Completion of the mobile coverage is scheduled for the course of 2024 - in time for the opening of the SAP Garden.