Wireless technology group PhotoStream International has secured a contract to install a permanent secure wireless communications network within Sydney's Telstra Stadium complex. The network will provide advanced high-speed Internet connectivity to media covering sports and other key events at the stadium.
Utilising PhotoStream's wireless access points (base stations) installed around the stadium arena, photographers, journalists and other users will be able to send images and text remotely from their laptops within seconds. Previously, media had no option but to use slow dial-up or ISDN line connections to send their material back at the end of play.
Fast Internet connectivity also will be provided in specific rooms used by media, coaching and venue staff and PhotoStream will facilitate intranet connections where required by other users in the stadium.
Users at Telstra Stadium who do not already have wireless capability in their laptop will connect via a small wireless PCMCIA card provided by PhotoStream. This is inserted into their laptop or PDA and links directly to the PhotoStream base stations. The system incorporates the latest security techniques for both the wireless and wired components of the network.
"Peer-to-peer hacking by concurrent users of the network will also be blocked in the PhotoStream service, so competing organisations can use it in the knowledge their competitors cannot access the stories or images they are sending," said PhotoStream director, Jeff Holloway. "For the mainstream media, the ability to send back images and text at very high speed direct to the editorial floor in time for their deadlines is a major advantage."
Melbourne-based PhotoStream's experience includes setting up wireless communications networks for the international media at stadiums and media centres throughout the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea.