NORMAN – An extensive project to bring Wi-Fi to Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is complete. For the first time, fans will be able to access the internet via Wi-Fi during OU home football games.

"This is an exciting upgrade for our stadium and one that we've had on the drawing board for several years," said Joe Castiglione , vice president and director of athletics at OU. "We are rolling it out at an optimum time as we have been able to secure the latest technology, which will make this system viable for several years."

Athletics department officials began planning for high-quality connected experience when the south end zone project started three years ago. The core of the system was engineered to handle nearly three times the amount of traffic seen in newer stadiums and at high-profile events like the Super Bowl.

"Fan experience is a high priority for us. We are adding pieces to the fan experience that make a trip to our stadium even more special and convenient.

- Joe Castiglione

The design and hardware selection will result in a top-quality connected fan experience for the emerging technology landscape.

The fine-tuning process will begin at the outset of the season. Because it is impossible to replicate more than 80,000 fans accessing the system, staff members will be on-site to assess the system. Engineers and roaming testers will address performance issues and hone the experience. It should also be noted that the equipment installed is designed to work at peak with newer phones and devices that will hit retail in the coming years. Those devices will maximize speed and performance.

"Fan experience is a high priority for us," Castiglione said. "The on-field performance and pageantry of OU football are the best in the nation. Now, we are adding other pieces to the fan experience that make a trip to our stadium even more special and convenient.

"At the same time, we will soon be pushing out a new athletics department app that is designed with game day in mind. With the new Wi-Fi system providing a foundation, it has the capabilities we need to better serve our fans in and around the stadium. We're excited about our new offerings and yet we'll remain engaged in researching other products and services that we can bring to Sooner fans."

Wi-Fi and the addition of handrails in every aisle are among the stadium improvements for 2019.

Some additional facts and numbers related to the implementation of wireless connectivity at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium:

Over 30 miles of copper and fiber wire were added to the connectivity already in the stadium.

There are 1,362 wireless access points installed and connected to 3,702 antennas.

Some of those access points have been installed in 392 handrails throughout the stadium to ensure that fans are never too far from the nearest connection.

All switch stacks throughout the stadium are interconnected on a 10GB backbone back to the core and out from there at 40GB.

A team of "Wi-Fi coaches" will be accessible throughout the stadium to help guests get connected.