Rogers announced Tuesday its 5G+ network carried 510 TB of wireless data for fans and visitors during 13 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in Toronto and Vancouver.
The data, which Rogers equated to the sharing of 102 million photos, was used at stadiums and surrounding areas, including watch parties and fan zones, according to a press release.
Ahead of tournament, Rogers invested $27 million to upgrade its 5G+ networks at key venues in Toronto and Vancouver to support the large number of fans expected during the matches.
This included $22 million in improvements in Toronto, including enhancing the in-stadium wireless system at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), deploying additional 5G+ spectrum, and installing additional network infrastructure outside the stadium and at fan zone locations throughout Toronto, as well as at hotels and transportation hubs including Pearson International Airport, Union Station and some TTC subway stations. Rogers also deployed temporary cell sites (known as Cells on Wheels and Cells on Light Facilities) to support high-traffic areas in downtown Toronto.
In Vancouver, Rogers invested $5 million to enhance network coverage in key areas, including deploying additional 5G+ spectrum and technology in BC Place, additional 5G+ upgrades at fan zone locations as well as hotels and SkyTrain stations, and deploying Cells on Wheels and Cells on Light Facilities to support high-traffic downtown areas of Vancouver.
“The excitement and energy across the country was incredible with fans cheering on Canada and their favourite teams. As Canada’s best 5G+ network, we invested $27 million and led upgrades in Toronto and in Vancouver to bring fans the best experience, whether they were at the stadium, watch parties, or fan zones,” Mark Kennedy, chief technology officer at Rogers, said in the company’s Tuesday press release. “These enhancements delivered a world-class network experience for this global event and will also bring long-term benefits for the local Toronto community.”
Bell also announced Tuesday its wireless network saw high traffic volumes during the 13 World Cup matches hosted in Canada. Bell said fans consumed more than 250 TB of wireless data across stadiums, surrounding venues and official watch parties in Toronto and Vancouver. Bell said it also carried an additional 80 TB of wireless data across official FIFA fan festivals and municipal fan zones in the two cities, bringing total wireless traffic to 330 TB.
Screenshot of soccer fans waving Canadian flags from Rogers’s website
