Business · Companies · 2 days ago
NBA and AT&T Upgrade Arena Networks for More Bandwidth
The NBA, WNBA and AT&T are upgrading arena network technology to handle growing demand for live video and data.
The new system is being installed in all 30 venues where the NBA operates, starting with six arenas in the 2026-27 season.
Fans use phones and other devices to follow stats, watch video and keep up with other games while attending or watching a game.
The upgrade will add more than 68,000 miles of AT&T fiber and provide four times the current bandwidth.
It is designed to carry many video and data streams at once while reducing the risk of disruptions during games.
The updated network is due to launch in July 2027.
The NBA, WNBA and AT&T are upgrading arena networks to provide four times the bandwidth of the existing infrastructure.
Installation of the fourth-generation High Speed Arena Network is starting with the 2026-27 season.
The work covers all 30 venues where the NBA operates and includes more than 68,000 miles of AT&T fiber and new networking equipment.
The upgrade is intended to handle growing demands for video, live data and other content while improving network reliability.
The updated network is scheduled to officially launch in July 2027.
- Who
- The NBA, WNBA and AT&T.
- What
- They are installing the fourth generation of the High Speed Arena Network. It will provide four times the existing bandwidth.
- When
- Installation starts with the 2026-27 season; the official launch is scheduled for July 2027.
- Where
- All 30 venues where the NBA operates, beginning with six arenas in Inglewood, New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
- Why
- To meet growing demand for video, live data and other content and to improve network reliability and capacity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Installation of the fourth-generation network is set to begin at NBA venues.
The updated High Speed Arena Network is scheduled to officially launch.
- Bandwidth
- Four times the existing infrastructure
- AT&T fiber
- More than 68,000 miles
- Venues
- All 30 venues where the NBA operates
- First installation venues
- Intuit Dome, Barclays Center, United Center, American Airlines Center, State Farm Arena and Crypto.com Arena
- Average game
- About 118 streams of high-quality, low-latency data
What people are saying
It’s more, more, more
We’ve gone from point-to-point networks to a full network that allows for greater reliability and scalability across all of our ingest and distribution channels
Ultimately, what you can’t have is any kind of disruption during games
Once the season starts across all these teams, it’s go time