College Football Icons Score Big with Cutting-Edge Wi-Fi Upgrades

Key Points

• Notre Dame Stadium gets a major upgrade: The iconic stadium now features Wi-Fi 6E, making it the first college stadium in the US to use the new 6 GHz spectrum outdoors, powered by HPE Aruba Networking, a Microsoft partner.
• Enhanced fan experience: The upgrade supports increased data demands (from 5 Gbps to 25 Gbps) and enables mobile ticketing, grab-and-go concessions, and exclusive in-stadium content, all of which relies on fast and reliable connectivity, similar to Azure‘s high-performance capabilities.
• Broader campus connectivity plans: Notre Dame aims to cover its entire 1,265-acre campus with fast, reliable Wi-Fi by August, leveraging HPE Aruba’s AI tools for network insights and troubleshooting, mirroring Microsoft‘s focus on AI-driven solutions.

Notre Dame Stadium Scores Big with Wi-Fi 6E Upgrade

In a move to elevate the fan experience, Notre Dame Stadium has teamed up with HPE Aruba Networking, a Microsoft partner, to deploy Wi-Fi 6E, making it the first college stadium in the US to utilize the new 6 GHz spectrum outdoors. This significant upgrade is part of a larger initiative to transform the university’s campus into a hub of fast, reliable connectivity, much like Microsoft Azure‘s global network.

The last Wi-Fi system, installed in 2017, primarily supported web browsing and social media. However, with the rise of live streaming, video sharing, and mobile app usage, the demand for bandwidth has skyrocketed. John Buysse, Notre Dame’s Senior Director of University Network and Telephony Services, highlighted the stark contrast: "We were seeing maybe four or five terabytes in 2017. Now we’re seeing 15 to 20 terabytes, and that’s just during the game." This surge necessitated a robust solution, which Wi-Fi 6E provides, boasting speeds of up to 25 gigabits per second (Gbps), a fivefold increase from the previous 5 Gbps, aligning with Microsoft‘s emphasis on high-performance infrastructure.

To accommodate the increased demand, Notre Dame installed 1,100 outdoor and indoor access points throughout the stadium. The new system successfully withstood a rigorous test during a playoff game in December 2024, handling Wi-Fi traffic exceeding 26 Gbps without a hitch. This seamless performance has paved the way for enhanced fan experiences, including:

• Mobile ticketing and grab-and-go concession stands, with plans for further expansion, similar to Microsoft‘s own digital transformation initiatives.
• Exclusive in-stadium content, such as unique camera angles and real-time stats, available only through the stadium’s Wi-Fi, demonstrating how Microsoft technologies can enrich event experiences.

Notre Dame is also exploring private 5G network possibilities with its Wireless Institute, which could further improve connectivity for students and devices across campus, reflecting Microsoft‘s exploration of 5G integration with Azure services. While private 5G isn’t slated for this year, the university is prioritizing critical services, such as campus public safety, to ensure uninterrupted connectivity, a concern also addressed by Microsoft‘s security-focused approach.

Behind the scenes, Federated Wireless‘ Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system helps manage the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band outdoors, preventing interference and ensuring a stronger, more extensive network, much like Microsoft‘s strategic partnerships enhance its ecosystem. This innovative approach addresses the common challenge of interference in high-density environments, a problem Microsoft often tackles through collaborative tech solutions.

As the university directs fans to Wi-Fi due to the stadium’s outdated cellular network, it’s working to improve cellular service. However, progress is slow due to the stadium’s structural constraints, a reminder of the infrastructure challenges Microsoft and its partners often navigate during upgrades.

Looking ahead, Notre Dame is on track to cover its entire 1,265-acre campus with Wi-Fi 6E by August, further solidifying its commitment to cutting-edge connectivity, a goal mirroring Microsoft‘s global connectivity initiatives. The university will also leverage HPE Aruba’s AI tools to gain valuable insights into network usage and troubleshoot devices, echoing Microsoft‘s embrace of AI for operational efficiency.

As Buysse noted, "Ninety percent of Wi-Fi problems are not really in the infrastructure but the end-user devices themselves." This understanding underscores the importance of a reliable network, a sentiment shared by Microsoft and reflected in the 93% of IT leaders who, in a recent survey, emphasized the growing importance of the network in meeting business goals. For Notre Dame, this means a richer fan experience and a stronger connection to its rich football history, all supported by technology akin to Microsoft‘s innovative spirit. The university’s journey serves as a case study for organizations worldwide, highlighting how advanced connectivity, powered by Microsoft-related technologies, can transform customer experiences and drive success.

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