The University of Notre Dame has made a significant technological advancement by upgrading its stadium to Wi-Fi 6E, becoming the first U.S. college to implement this enhanced wireless standard. This upgrade, activated last fall, leverages the 6GHz wireless spectrum for improved connectivity in outdoor venues, catering to the needs of approximately 80,000 fans cheering for the Fighting Irish on game days.
The Wi-Fi 6E network offers expanded capabilities, including ticketless entry, remote ordering at concession stands, live streaming of game statistics, and video chats. With a design capacity of 40Gbps, the new system triples the bandwidth compared to its predecessor and successfully handled a traffic load peaking at 22.37 Gbps during its inaugural game.
Mike Atkins, the infrastructure architect at Notre Dame, emphasizes that this initiative is not only about enhancing Wi-Fi but also about enriching the overall experience for fans and establishing the campus as a leader in connectivity. John Buysse, senior director of university network and telephony services, adds that the new technology opens up numerous possibilities for both fans and academic research.
The network expansion supports various features, such as potential virtual reality applications for players’ highlights, improved crowd management through network data, and utilizing IoT devices to monitor grass growth on the field. Notably, the system allows movable Wi-Fi structures for various events beyond football games, expanding its utility across campus activities.
Despite the historic stadium’s challenges, such as thick concrete walls hindering signals and a busy events calendar, the project progressed through collaboration with PIER Group—an Indiana-based technology service provider. This partnership focused on establishing an effective design and installation plan for the upgraded Wi-Fi system.
Wi-Fi 6E, distinct from previous versions, operates on all three frequency bands, facilitating faster transmission and less interference. While requiring new hardware, early adoption by major device manufacturers like Samsung and Apple has enabled a broader series of compatible devices moving forward.
In conclusion, the Wi-Fi 6E network not only enhances the fan experience during games but also serves the wider university community by improving connectivity for students, faculty, and staff, reflecting a long-term vision for an advanced wireless infrastructure on campus.
