Big mobile upgrade for the O2 Belfast
Key Points
- The O2 Belfast has installed a new mobile network built to cope with gig nights and ice hockey crowds
- Boldyn Networks delivered the system, with coverage added across the seating bowl and the rink
- O2 customers are live on it first, though the system can support every UK mobile operator
- Fans should find digital tickets, bar and merchandise payments and photo sharing more reliable
- The venue handles more than 800,000 visitors a year across music, sport and entertainment
The O2 Belfast has upgraded its mobile network to cope with the demand that gigs and ice hockey nights put on the venue.
Boldyn Networks delivered the system, which is built for the moments when thousands of fans arrive, move around the arena and use their phones at once.
The Distributed Antenna System supports all UK mobile operators, so customers on other networks may see the same improvement once their provider goes live at the venue.
The venue hosts more than 800,000 visitors a year across music, sport and entertainment, and coverage now reaches high-demand areas including the seating bowl and the rink. O2 customers are the first to go live on it.
For fans, the new technology should make every part of the trip easier and more seamless. This includes scanning a digital ticket at the doors, paying at the bar or a merchandise stand, finding friends in the crowd, posting photos and video, and keeping a signal on the way home.
“The best connectivity is the kind customers do not have to think about. At a busy venue like The O2 Belfast, people want to get through the doors, meet friends, pay quickly and share the big moments without the network getting in the way.
“By bringing this enhanced mobile experience to O2 customers first, we’re helping make every visit smoother from the queue outside to the journey home,” said Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2.
“Live events are where the physical and digital worlds collide. Fans come for the roar of the crowd, but they also want to share it with everyone who isn’t there.
“At The O2 Belfast, a premier multi-purpose venue, we’ve made those two sides work as one, so nothing gets between a fan and the moment. And we’ve built a digital foundation ready to adapt to whatever comes next, from rising visitor expectations to the technologies just over the horizon,” said Paul Osborne, Chief Commercial Officer at Boldyn Networks UK.
This was echoed by Craig Barrington, Associate Director of Estates and Facilities at The Odyssey Trust.
“As Northern Ireland’s premier live entertainment destination, we’re always looking for innovative, digital-first ways to provide our guests with the best experience every time. Fast, reliable connectivity plays a key role in ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors enjoys unforgettable moments that last a lifetime. Boldyn’s state-of-the-art Distributed Antenna System will enhance how our guests experience The O2 Belfast and will be fundamental for us moving forward,” said Barrington.
