Taking center stage in 2019 at billionaire Jerry Jones’s AT& T Stadium isn’t simply the world-famous Dallas Cowboys football team or Country Music Hall of Famer Garth Brooks with his bigger-than-life concert. It’s the arrival of 5G—the fifth-generation of mobile network and wireless system connectivity.

Since Ancient Greece and the time of the Roman Coliseum, stadiums have been a gathering place for thousands of spectators hungry for entertainment. Now, 5G technology is taking the stadium experience to the next level.

In 2009, Jerry Jones opened the most ambitious technological stadium in the world, providing seating for approximately 80,000 spectators. In 2013, AT&T—a global leader in telecommunications, media, entertainment, and technology—purchased the naming rights for the stadium at a price of between $17 and $19 million per year. Originally founded by Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone in 1880, AT&T is the world’s largest telecommunications company. They provide premium content, direct-to-consumer distribution, and high-speed networks to people and businesses. AT&T is making significant investments to become the premier integrated media and communications company.

AT&T recently announced that they are introducing standards-based mobile 5G services. But, they did not stop there. They stepped up and announced that they plan to be the first US carrier to light up 5G at one of the most iconic venues in the country—AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a location just about 20km down the road from Utmel Electronics.

AT&T Stadium—home to “America’s Team,” the Dallas Cowboys—hosts championship sporting events as well as some of the biggest music and entertainment shows in the world. It is where tens of thousands of people come to enjoy and share experiences that they can’t get anywhere else. AT&T reported that customers consumed more than 155TB (155*1012 bytes) of mobile data—the equivalent of sending about 400 million selfies—while visiting AT&T Stadium in 2018.

Over the coming months, AT&T plans to integrate its 5G network into the stadium. 5G will provide high throughput and enhanced capacity coupled with low-power consumption and low latency (1-10ms). The introduction of the 5G network to AT&T stadium is expected to further enable  Internet of Things (IoT) devices and enhance mobile broadband to provide new fan experiences at the venue.

AT&T believes this technology will ultimately lead to the realization of spectators being able to integrate their physical experiences with virtual augmentation. AT&T suggests that in the future fans may get the thrill of an up-close-and-personal view of the locker room victory celebrations through virtual reality (VR) glasses hooked up to smartphones. Another real possibility is for fans to watch an instant replay in crystal clear 360-degree video while waiting in line for the restroom or concessions. 

Conclusion

5G is launching and will be entering into the mainstream of our lives. Its technological benefits will provide new ways to consume data and new ways for spectators and fans to engage with their favorite entertainment events. Whether it is with 100,000 people cheering on your local sports team or singing the choruses of every song from your favorite musical act, 5G will enable us to draw more intimately and experientially into the arena of life.

Learn More

Want to learn more about 5G? Check out the Qorvo Harnessing the Power of 5G eBook.