Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has entered into an agreement to provide ‘secure and flexible ‘network connectivity to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The organisation has selected Aruba, a HPE company, to deliver an ‘advanced network infrastructure’ across the entire execution of the Games, in the aim of making the event more connected, inclusive, and engaging.
Adrian Corcoran, Chief Information Officer at Birmingham 2022, noted: “It is fantastic to have Aruba join us as our Official Venue Network Infrastructure Supporter for Birmingham 2022.
“Aruba, using their expertise as part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, is the ideal company to provide a complex and flexible network connection, enabling a seamless experience for our workforce, volunteers and athletes.
“Aruba is fully aligned with our sustainability pledge and it’s wonderful to know the company will be working locally to ensure we leave a digital legacy behind.”
The company states that HPE will operate on an ‘accelerated implementation timeline’ to provide the full portfolio of Aruba technology as a service. These look to support the hybrid workforce in ‘bringing the Games to life’, an efficient information flow for broadcast and media as well as a digital legacy.
“At any major sporting event, experience is everything. Fundamental to this is the secure connectivity that empowers collaboration for the events team and enables the media to reach a global audience,” noted Marc Waters, Senior VP and Managing Director UK, Ireland, Middle East & Africa, HPE.
“The challenge of implementing the networking infrastructure, services and software that meet the unique and demanding requirements of the Games is significant. Our experienced services team and edge-to-cloud platform deliver against these needs with automation, management and flexibility embedded, leaving the events team to focus on delivering exceptional Games.”
Additionally, the platform will employ a programmable edge-to-cloud solution, using Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, and deliver AI-driven security and management in the cloud via Aruba Central in order to act on events and requests that come across the network.
This will enable IT teams to identify potential threats before they have a chance to impact the event experience.
Phil Mottram, President, Intelligent Edge HPE, added: “We are looking forward to partnering with the teams responsible for the delivery of the Games to standardise event connectivity, speed up the delivery of future competitions and ensure a more secure, consistent and engaging experience for the entire Games Family.”
Beginning on 28 July next year, the event will see around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories compete in 19 sports and eight para-sports across 14 competition venues, with a predicted TV audience of 1.5 billion.
