Cisco Systems has wired the new $1.3 billion Yankee Stadium with what it said was the most advanced technology ever embedded in a North American stadium, reports the NY Times. At a press conference in Manhattan on Tuesday, Cisco CEO John Chambers showed off their integrate voice, video, and data network for the stadium. It’s set to open in April 2009.
Fans will be able to change the view of the game on their high-definition IPTV, call-up instant replays, and order food and beverages right from a Cisco IP phone in the suite. Initially, most of the cool technology will be available only in the luxury suites, but other features will be added throughout the ballpark and available to fans from individual terminals or via their cell phones. The Yankees are already working on a widget that can be downloaded onto cell phones.
The Yankees also plan to use Cisco’s telepresence solution and partner with a local schools or libraries to bring players and other Yankee personnel to children in the community, reports C/Net.
After games, the screens will be able to switch to giving useful traffic information keyed to each location or give evacuation directions.
Chambers said the work cost the team around $15 million to $16 million. Cisco hopes it will improve the experience for fans, driving new sales and increasing the Yankees’ fan base.
Cisco has the same thing in mind for California at Cisco Field, the proposed $500 million Fremont stadium that will seat 32,000 fans.
California’s High Speed Rail project, if approved, would not have Fremont along its initial planned route. A Regional Rail option is possible after the first phase if funding is available.
