Sunderland, England
Stadium of Light Transforms Fan Experience with JMA XRAN Open RAN 5G Infrastructure
DAS
Case Study
Revolutionary JMA XRAN 5G Solution Delivers Seamless Connectivity for Premier League Crowds
Ready to learn more about how JMA XRAN technology is revolutionizing stadium connectivity
Discover the complete technical details, implementation challenges, and measurable results from this groundbreaking 5G deployment at one of the UK's most iconic football venues.
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Through the groundbreaking SONET smart city initiative, Boldyn Networks has deployed JMA XRAN’s cutting-edge 5G technology stack at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. This innovative neutral host solution supports multiple mobile operators on a single platform, enabling fans to enjoy enhanced digital experiences including AR overlays, social media uploads, and personalized services. The JMA XRAN-powered network represents a significant leap forward in stadium connectivity, transforming how tens of thousands of visitors experience live events while creating new revenue opportunities for the venue.
The deployment at the 48,707-capacity stadium marks a historic milestone as the UK’s first full neutral host RAN managed service in a high-density venue. By combining JMA’s Open RAN fronthaul interface standard with Boldyn’s evolved distributed antenna system (DAS), the solution delivers unprecedented connectivity performance while reducing space and power requirements by up to 60%
"We have a long history of giving our customers access to the best live entertainment, so it's only natural that they will be the first to benefit from the next generation 5G network at the iconic Stadium of Light. Our Mobile Transformation Plan is focused on improving the connectivity experience for our customers no matter where they are and this work with Boldyn Networks is ensuring match going fans can experience a seamless connectivity experience."
— Dr Rob Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at Virgin Media
The enhanced 5G connectivity now enables fans to engage in a complete range of digital experiences—from uploading live video content and viewing real-time augmented reality overlays to ordering food and drinks directly from their seats. As mixed-reality and immersive experiences continue to evolve, supporters can enjoy them without interruption, even during peak capacity events that can reach up to 60,000 attendees.
This transformative infrastructure not only benefits fans but also creates new revenue generation opportunities for Sunderland AFC through at-seat ordering services, personalized push notifications, and innovative digital experiences that were previously impossible with legacy systems.
