Super Bowl attendees blocked from seeing streaming video of game on mobile devices

Going to Super Bowl 48? If you were planning on bringing your smartphone or tablet to Metlife Stadium to view a live stream of the game that is being played out in front of you, forget about it. The NFL has decided to block all live streaming of the Super Bowl broadcast inside the stadium. Even if you're sitting in the nose bleed seats with Bob Uecker, you will have to use ancient technology like binoculars, to know what is going on.

Why take this action? Well, it seems that the powers that be at the NFL are worried about congested mobile networks. Apps like NFL.com and Fox Sports.com, will be blocked inside the stadium along with unofficial sites that also are planning on streaming the official broadcast of the game. While attendees to the game will have the ability to install an exclusive app, it will feature an event guide and exclusive content, but will not offer a live stream of the game.

It could be that the NFL is not being too cautious. During last year's championship contest, streaming of the live broadcast was halted mid-way through the game when it became apparent that those viewing the streamed telecast were using too much bandwidth. NFL CIO Michelle McKenna-Doyle says that the stadium can handle 25,000 to 30,000 internet users at a given time. 82,500 fans will be seated inside the venue, which is the home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants.


Plans are for mobile devices to have faster upload speeds over download speeds inside the stadium, since most fans are busy uploading pictures and sending out tweets and Instagram pictures during the contest. Verizon is providing the Wi-Fi connectivity for the game, sending in a signal at about 4Gbps. While Verizon is the lead vendor, the other three major carriers have upgraded their antenna systems by the stadium.

source: CNN via SlashGear