Peter Beattie (GOLDOC) and Ken Boal (Cisco) countdown to 2018 Commonwealth Games
Cisco Australia and Optus will partner up to roll out network hardware for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Utilising Cisco’s network, the companies will work on connecting Cairns to Coolangatta - a distance of 1,900 kilometres - for the Games.
Specifically, Cisco will provide solutions to enable the connectivity from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) technology operation centre, to 18 competition venues, 18 media centres and 24 volunteer venues.
Cisco also mentioned that it will provide network infrastructure with scalable capability to enable “high-speed transmission of critical data across a highly secure, digital platform”.
The Cisco network is predicted to connect 25,000 devices, providing operational Wi-Fi for 6,600 athletes and officials, and 3,500 media, enabling the sharing of video, data and information to run dedicated applications.
The deployment will also see Cisco and Optus provide technology elements such as firewalls, routers, switches and wireless access points.
With the Games being one of the biggest multisport events in Australia and the first to be held outside of a capital city, Cisco A/NZ vice-president, Ken Boal, said the dedicated work of the team and its technology combined will ensure the Games are a connected and inclusive event.
“Speed, quality, reliability and security are essential… The work we do behind the scenes means the athletes can take the centre stage,” he said.
“Cisco will be working with GOLDOC and its other technology providers to deploy a scalable technology platform, delivering the bandwidth and connectivity required for the world to share the experience in the moment, as the action happens.”
News of Optus’ involvement in the games was announced in early April, for the provision of communications infrastructure and managed services.
It will deliver high speed telecommunications infrastructure to more than 30 Commonwealth Games venues, as well as the design and implementation of the Games Network, enabling connectivity for broadcasting, telephony, internet and cloud services across all games venues.
In addition, the telco will provide video and audio services at 23 broadcast locations.
Optus will also be providing a managed IP telephony solution for more than 2,200 on-site employees, a contact centre solution and 4G mobile services to allow the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation to communicate and collaborate both in the planning period and during the event.
“We invest billions in our network and technology infrastructure across Australia every year, and we are committed to leveraging the breadth of our network and enterprise services to deliver experience for athletes, volunteers, media and fans at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games,” Optus Business managing director, John Paitaridis, said previously.
GOLDOC chairman, Peter Beattie, said its technology partners are essential to the games.
“We need partners who have the experience and capability to help us deliver a really great event for athletes and spectators,” he added.
