SailGP has partnered with BT and Ericsson to deploy 5G standalone network slicing to deliver real-time communications, telemetry and live video at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth.
BT will provide two dedicated network slices at the global boat racing championship’s event, in which 12 national teams compete on the waters of the Solent, to boost connectivity for the teams and support a new 360-degree AR/VR fan experience.
The connectivity will support the F50 boats that are competing in the race, point-of-sale terminals within the SailGP Race Stadium, broadcasting of the event in partnership with Sony, and media in attendance who will be able to upload photos and other content in real-time.
Warren Jones, chief technology officer at SailGP, says: “Bringing SailGP back to UK shores after three years is a major milestone, and delivering a world-class, tech-driven event is critical to the success of it. Partnering with BT has allowed us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in sports connectivity.
“In a first for SailGP, BT’s use of 5G standalone network slicing ensures the global championship can maintain real-time communications, telemetry and live video from the racecourse – this collaboration showcases how cutting-edge connectivity can transform the delivery of global sporting events.”
The use case marks the first time BT has delivered multiple concurrent network slices at the same event. It is underpinned by EE’s 5G standalone network, and follows several recent deployments, including at Wembley Stadium and Belfast Christmas market.
Kerry Small, chief operating officer, Business at BT Group, says: “5G Standalone isn’t just about faster speeds – it’s about unlocking tailor-made capabilities that can transform customer experiences.
“In partnership with SailGP, we’ve demonstrated this by using network slicing to streamline event operations and bring fans closer to the action than ever before. It’s a powerful example of how we’re evolving the UK’s best network to deliver next-generation connectivity and more immersive experiences.”
Each catamaran races at speeds up to 100 km/h and will be equipped with the routers provided by Ericsson.
Ericsson is SailGP’s technology partner with the Swedish telecoms vendor’s Cradlepoint edge routers connecting the F50 fleet to the Ericsson Private 5G network, handling more than 53 billion data points per race day.
The network will also help SailGP umpires adjudicate race protocols through live camera streaming and provide the twelve national teams with insights into competitor locations, tactics, and strategies.
On the edge
Ericsson Private 5G network spans operational and event sites, including the technical centre located about 30 km away from the event. It will also play a role in the VR fan experience, available in the SailGP Fanzone, which will simulate the adrenaline of being onboard an F50 catamaran.
Manish Tiwari, head of enterprise 5G, enterprise wireless solutions, at Ericsson, said: “SailGP is pushing the limits of performance, and Ericsson is enabling that ambition – connecting the F50 catamarans with ultra-reliable, low-latency 5G powering real-time decision making on the water.
“Combined with BT 5G network slices for broadcasting, this is a showcase of how 5G can transform live sports in some of the most extreme conditions.”
