EE Builds Temporary 4G Network For America’s Cup Sailing In Portsmouth

EE has activated a temporary 4G network in Portsmouth and the surrounding area ahead of this weekend’s America’s Cup World Series sailing event.

Up to 250,000 spectators are expected in the area to watch the races, placing tremendous strain on local mobile infrastructure.

A temporary mobile mast will improve capacity, ensuring fans will be able to communicate and use data services – particularly social media.

Glastonbury network

The network will also power the big screen at Gunwharf Quays and the official race committee’s systems on the control boat using EE’s connected vehicle technology.

“The improved mobile coverage at this year’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series is great news for both visitors to the show in Portsmouth and the race organisers alike,” said Rob Andrews, race director of the UK America’s Cup World Series event.

“A key part of the event is the On Water Event Control Boat on the Solent, tracking all the marshal and spectator boats accurately around the race course, so with EE providing enhanced 4G connectivity, we’ll be able to monitor the racing and conditions in real-time to ensure we’ve got a great event.”

EE recently built the UK’s biggest and most powerful 4G network for the Glastonbury Festival, with music fans consuming 25TB of data over the course of the weekend. Temporary networks are essential for major events that result in strain on local networks, meaning that visitors and residents of the area suffer a noticeable decrease in service quality.

“Major events like this need great connectivity, both for the fans and for efficient and reliable organisation,” added Mansoor Hanif, 4G network director at EE. “We are investing in making sure that our 4G network keeps our customers connected wherever they are.”

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