Chase Field Wi-Fi

On August 11, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced the optimization of the Chase Field Wi-Fi network. The move came as a pleasant surprise to Phoenix-area baseball fans and technophiles, who were not even aware that a new Wi-Fi system had been installed in the stadium.

The organization hopes the new, improved network will enhance the Chase Field experience for fans hopelessly addicted to their mobile internet devices.

Wi-Fi at Chase Field

Development

The organization partnered with broadband provider AT&T to create the system, which they began working on in January 2011. The Wi-Fi network went up on Opening Day and was fully operational the day of the All-Star Game in July. According to team representatives, the network preformed great during the jam-packed event.

Design

The system is technically made up of two different parts. The first is a Distributed Antenna System (or DAS) which provides 3G connectivity. The other part is the Wi-Fi network, which boasts download speeds of up to 14 megabits per second.

The ballpark has 283 different access points, meaning there almost no wireless dead zones on Chase Field.

The Wi-Fi access points and DAS antennas blend in perfectly with the building’s design, so they won’t be noticed by the average fan.

Mobile Apps

Wi-Fi at Chase Field

The Diamondbacks hope fans will take advantage of a variety of baseball-enhancement mobile apps.

The “At-Bat” app allows users to order food and concessions from their seats, so fans will never miss another Justin Upton home run or Kelly Johnson strikeout while waiting in line.

Other apps provide recaps, box scores and videos from around Major League Baseball. D-backs fans will even be able to view replays of close calls that are not allowed to be shown on the video board.

Team officials are betting that a mobile device friendly environment will lure fans off the couch and back into the stands.

 

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Relevant Questions: 

Which movie(s) should I watch on my iPad at the next Diamondbacks game?

Is it cool if I use BitTorrent while I’m at Chase Field?

How can we use Wi-Fi to give the D-Backs a home field advantage during their playoff push?

Are the Diamondbacks and “underground” team?  If so, does that mean Arizona fans are cooler than mainstream Red Sox/Yankees fans?

Should the Wi-Fi password for Chase Field be “sixthlowestpayrollinbaseball”? 

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