5G Technology is expected to revolutionise the sports environment. But why is it so crucial for stadiums and what are implications from a fan experience and CRM perspective?

What is 5G Technology?

5G technology is the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, delivering faster speeds and more stable connections for smartphones and other mobile devices. 5G is expected to be around 100 times faster than its predecessor 4G in terms of internet capacity. But it’s not just capacity that will be improved. Also response times will be much faster. This means that mobile device users will enjoy more streamlined experiences with no delay times. Check out the below video if you would like to know more about 5G.

5G Technology at Stadiums

While it will possibly take years until 5G technology is available in all sectors, several sport institutions already announced that 5G will be available to them in the near future. As an example, FC Barcelona partnered up with the Spanish Telecommunications giant Telefónica and mobile operator ecosystem GSMA with the aim making the Camp Nou, the first sports venue in Europe with 5G technology. Across the pond, the National Football League signed a new 5G-focused partnership with Verizon in March 2019 and as a result they expect 5G to be available in all the stadiums by the end of the year.

But how are sports clubs and stadium operators are going to use this revolutionary technology and what are on and off-site implications for the fan experience and CRM? Let’s have a closer look at this.

On and off-site implications

Inside the stadiums, 5G technology has not only the potential to provide immersive viewing experiences, but could holistically disrupt the way we experience live sports. Several tech companies are in the process of developing the next generation of apps and in-stadium mobile features that can enhance the fan experience through 5G. So going forward, fans won’t be using their smartphones to just buy a ticket or book a parking space before the game. With 5G technology there’s the possibility to interact in real-time. As an example, fans are able to adjust the temperatures of their seats or they can take a vote on the fastest queue in front of the beer stand at halftime.

But the 5G technology inside stadiums will also affect the fan experience off-site. At the Camp Nou for example, a number of 360 degrees cameras connected to the 5G network will be installed. Thanks to the incredible data processing potential of 5G, you will have the possibility to watch a live match at home, using your virtual reality glasses and feel as if you are sitting in the stadium. So at the end of the day, there will be no difference between being on-site or watching actually over a 5G experience off-site.

The CRM conclusion

As we have seen above, with the launch of 5G technology at sports venues the number of interactions between fans and the clubs will increase. From a CRM perspective, this means that also the amount of fan relevant data will rise. Sports clubs and stadium operators can use this data for fan segmentation purposes. Furthermore, they have the possibility to further tailor and improve their services in order to spend their money more efficiently.

What do you think about 5G technology? Will it revolutionise the way we experience live sports? Let me know your thoughts and leave a comment below.

Sources

Video: CNBC International

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