SOCHI 2014 The First BYOD Olympics

The SOCHI Olympic games is the most technologically advanced of any sporting event. One area is the increased us of high definition video not just in security cameras but for the actual filming of the sports events themselves. Smaller cameras can be placed in locations that can offer a insider view of an event.

The biggest change is in wireless coverage in the BYOD  ( Bring Your Own Device) trend. It is expected to have over 2000 access points and over 100,000 BYOD devices all using social networks or live streaming events and replays.The wi-fi network is expected to be the biggest of its kind. The expected 40,000 athletes, media, volunteers, and staff is also expected to flood the social networks with photos and video. Sochi will have a 54TB-per-second virtualized backbone and multiple 10-gigabit pipes running from the Black Sea resort town back to Moscow to handle all the data movement expected to be generated.

Avaya, is the sponsor for this network and the expectation and promise is to deliver a glitch free flawless experience. Taking their learning's from the Vancouver Olympics, they are applying it this time around with also new enhancements in the underlying infrastructure.

Panasonic, another global sponsor has installed almost 7000 HD security cameras that will also be a level of defense in increasing security for all attendees at the games. The HD video network will be separate from the wi-fi network.

The Avaya techs have place mobile access points on sleds and they will be placed along each event and media photographers will be able to upload large photo files to their editors for review and upload to websites.

For the first time all video media will be using IP TV in place of the traditional coaxial cable network.

Network Virtualization is being used to separate the various networks from each other and an Identify Engine will be used to allow users access to its own service.

Another new twist is the second screen phenomenon where tablets and smartphones as the second screen to follow a game can become the primary screen to watching them. So far my behavior has been similar to watching a Formula 1 race. I can watch the big screen TV and see what the producers have for me and I can use my tablet to take advantage of a real-time lap scoring app to keep on eye on the lap speeds. I could use my smartphone to engage in conversations with the various social media networks. I think the Lazy Boy recliner will now need more things from the Tether Tools catalog.

The new Olympic fan can be inside the games watching the Canadian womens hockey team beat up on Finland and use their second screen to look up info or stats of the players and then while cheering loudly after a goal, use the replay feature to replay the goal on their BYOD device, and then tweet out the Yeah Go Canada.. All this engagement leads to a new skillset - live multi-tasking.

That now begs the question of powering up your devices and I can only think that a 8 lb 12V 7AH gel cell battery with a USB converter in your back pack may be the only way to keep things working. At least you can leave the external wi-fi antennas at home this time. Maybe, a solar powered charger may be useful as well.

Are you multi-tasking and using multiple screens watching the olympics this time around? I would love to hear your thoughts