The British Esports Federation has revealed that its National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland will undergo significant connectivity upgrades. This move comes as part of the UK government’s Open Networks Ecosystem Competition, with the Stadium of Light and the National Esports Performance Campus set to receive faster and more stable 4G and 5G connectivity.
Over £5.7 million in grant funding has been allocated to these two venues as part of the nationwide Open Networks Ecosystem Competition. The project, known as Sunderland Open Network EcosysTem (SONET), is being led by the Sunderland City Council and several partners. It has been selected as one of the 19 projects in the initiative.
The major advantage of these upgrades is the improvement in speed and stability of mobile internet at the Esports Performance Campus. The campus features an esports competition arena, gaming houses for up to 25 people, classrooms, practice spaces, and other facilities for esports and gaming.
Visitors at the Stadium of Light and the Campus will now have access to interactive, digitally enabled facilities and services, including smart venue navigation. These capabilities could enhance the interactivity of esports tournaments held at the Campus, while also providing faster web browsing under heavy loads.
Chester King, CEO of British Esports, expressed his pride in securing the SONET 5G bid in Sunderland. He stated that this advancement will redefine the future of live esports and sports experiences. The esports arena, expected to open in early 2024, will serve as a center for cutting-edge technology, offering an environment conducive to growth, engagement, and innovation.