Innovative firsts with 5G at the PGA Championship.
How 5G Advanced Network Solutions enhanced the fan experience and streamlined operations for pro golf.
4 minute read
Innovative firsts with 5G at the
Executive summary.
"We're thrilled to introduce groundbreaking technology to one of golf's most significant events through this partnership with
Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer, PGA of AmericaT-Mobile ."
The 2024 Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America) Championship was one of the most anticipated golf events of the year. Scheduled at the legendary Valhalla Golf Club, preparing for the tournament required months of advanced planning and provided an opportunity to create a next-level approach to technology partnerships in sports broadcasting.
Seeking to answer high fan expectations, the PGA of America turned to
The result was a dynamic and immersive event that brought viewers onto the course like never before and engaged attendees wherever they went. Broadcasters shared compelling, ultra-high-definition footage of previously impossible-to-capture angles, and fans could watch, shop, and engage without delays or interruptions. This was one of the largest network slicing efforts ever, supporting journalists and guests while achieving PGA Championship records in sales and number of attendees.
In short, the PGA of America pulled off a top-tier championship, thanks to the power of our 5G network—the nation’s largest and fastest.
“We’re thrilled to introduce groundbreaking technology to one of golf’s most significant events through this partnership with
Welcome to Valhalla.
One of the first challenges was tackling the venue itself. Designed by the great Jack Nicklaus, Valhalla Golf Club is spoken of with reverence by golfers around the world. Tucked into a lovely, quiet corner of Louisville, Kentucky, Valhalla’s 486 acres makes it more than twice as large as an average course.
The event required a network to handle the terrain, as well as a custom solution for the upload demands of modern broadcasting. We deployed a private 5G network to deliver the speed and reliability necessary to keep pace with the multiple-camera setup that is standard for capturing a tournament.
The low latency delivered by our private 5G network was critical to providing smooth, uninterrupted footage for live video production.
The low latency delivered by our private 5G network was critical to providing smooth, uninterrupted footage for live video production. It also allowed CBS Sports to deploy cinema-grade Sony cameras and ultra-fast encoders and decoders to enable fiber-like speeds. The average glass-to-glass latency—measured from the time the camera captures a given moment to the time the image appears on screen—was well below the industry standard at less than 100 milliseconds. With strategically placed wireless cameras, enhanced views of Hole 13 were implemented into live broadcast for the first time in golf.
Captivating fans.
Working with the PGA of America, we deployed our 5G wireless network to enhance the overall experience for fans watching from home or on the course. Along with a groundbreaking broadcast, our network also supported the PGA Championships mobile app, which allowed spectators to follow their favorite pros, watch the day’s highlights, and keep an eye on real-time stats.
The app was also the go-to source for streamed live and replay coverage of the
Fans accessed all of this content and more without delays or interruptions thanks to the speed and reach of the
Elevated experiences.
Along with enhancing the broadcast and supercharging the fan experience, our 5G network was instrumental in streamlining tournament operations. Using network slicing, we offered a dedicated slice to support four specific use cases.
Our 5G network was instrumental in streamlining tournament operations. Using network slicing, we offered a dedicated slice to support four specific use cases.
Ticketing and point-of-sale systems on the dedicated network slice ensured a seamless experience for fans, without clogging up other critical systems. The same was true for security teams, to access real-time video footage from AI-enhanced cameras, making it much easier for them to respond to potential problems anywhere on the massive golf course. Photojournalists took advantage of the slice for fast camera-to-cloud uploads. And our network slicing capabilities were key to enabling push-to-talk functionality to optimize crucial on-the-ground communications.
By the end of the tournament, our 5G network delivered an enhanced broadcast experience along with simplified and secure event operations. The success of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla is a stunning example of how 5G technology will continue to unlock new possibilities in live event production.
Key takeaways.
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Leveraging our 5G private network for fiber-like speeds.
The custom-built solutions, with the agility of our 5G ANS portfolio, powered new broadcast camera angles, an app for spectators to follow their favorite players, and the
T-Mobile 5G Range Show. -
Network slicing with 5G ANS.
Leveraging 5G ANS and our public 5G network, we deployed one of the largest rollouts of network slicing to support four use cases:
- Seamless ticketing and point-of-sale.
- Real-time communications.
- Enhanced site security.
Mobile-upload photojournalism.
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Power through partnerships.
T-Mobile , CBS Sports, and Sony demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation to bring fans closer to the action, enhancing the overall viewing experience for PGA Championship attendees and golf enthusiasts worldwide. -
Supporting operations for better fan experiences.
The nation’s largest and fastest 5G network empowered broadcasters and event organizers alike to ensure the PGA Championship could offer the dynamic and immersive experience that today’s fans demand.
Capable device required for 5G; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see
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