Sure hoping for the most connected Games
IT WILL not just be the athletes who are quick in this year's Island Games, as broadband speeds will be up to 60 times faster at more than 20 sporting sites, following connectivity upgrades by Sure.
Outdoor venues will be equipped with a mixture of 4G and portable WiFi units, while the fixed venues will use superfast broadband and 1GB fibre.
Spectators will be able to stream events live via a dedicated 4G network, as well as view results as they come in.
Sure will also be distributing some 3,500 pre-loaded SIM cards to visiting competitors and officials to help them stay in touch with their families during the games.
Sure Group CEO Alistair Beak said that this edition of the Games would be the most connected ever.
‘The whole Sure team has been committed to getting the new technology in place in time for the start of the Games. It builds on the work we do at grassroots level through our sponsorship of many different teams, juniors and kit.’
Mr Beak added that the upgrades were not just for the Games, and would be kept in place for the long-term benefit of islanders.
‘The venues will also receive 12 months of free broadband. It will be part of our legacy following the Games,’ he said.
Sure Guernsey chief executive Justin Bellinger said that the company had invested tens of thousands of pounds in the upgrades, which included extending its fibre broadband service to 11 of the 25 sites.
‘It’s very exciting, we have high aspirations for the service and hope that it makes a big difference. We’re used to big events, having covered Liberation Day and the Isle of Man TT in the past.’
Mr Bellinger added that he was particularly excited about the upgrades that had been installed at the Hougue du Pommier.
‘That venue is particularly interesting because you have three different sports operating in one place – table tennis, bowls and football. Getting the technology sorted for each of those sites was technically quite interesting, and the Aztech football site is getting our gigabit fibre broadband, which is the fastest on the island.’
Mr Bellinger also said that he was looking forward to the impact the upgrades would have on the island following the Games.
‘We’ve used a number of different technologies and approaches. To have dedicated networks for officials, streaming and results is really exciting, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.’
