SailGP has announced a multi-year partnership with Ericsson, appointing the telecommunications leader as its global technology supplier for the 2025 season. This collaboration aims to revolutionize race operations and enhance fan engagement through the deployment of advanced 5G connectivity solutions.
Ericsson's Enterprise Wireless Solutions will equip SailGP's F50 catamarans and race venues with seamless, high-quality 5G connectivity. This integration is designed to optimize race operations by providing real-time data transmission between on-water teams and onshore analysts. The low latency and high bandwidth of 5G technology will enable instantaneous sharing of critical information such as boat speed, wind conditions, and tactical decisions, thereby enhancing team performance and strategic planning.
Warren Jones, Chief Technology Officer at SailGP, emphasized the significance of this technological advancement, stating that SailGP continues to innovate to provide the best experiences for teams and fans. Ericsson Private 5G, combined with its Cradlepoint edge routers, will address the challenges of billions of data points during a race while ensuring rapid network deployment at global locations.
The partnership will also bolster the capabilities of SailGP's umpiring team. With 5G-enabled live camera streaming from competing F50s, umpires will gain real-time insights into team locations, tactics, and strategies. This immediate access to data ensures more accurate adjudication of race protocols, promoting fairness and integrity in the competition.
For spectators, the Ericsson partnership promises a more immersive viewing experience. The enhanced connectivity will facilitate the delivery of high-definition live streams, real-time analytics, and interactive features, allowing fans to delve deeper into race dynamics. By accessing instantaneous data on boat performance and race conditions, audiences can gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies employed by teams, making the viewing experience more engaging and informative.
A critical component of this initiative is the installation of Ericsson's Cradlepoint edge routers in the wings of each F50 catamaran. These ruggedized devices are engineered to withstand the harsh maritime environment and are expected to handle more than 53 billion data points across the fleet per race day, encompassing IoT, video, and critical communications. The solution's adaptability allows for rapid deployment across diverse global locations, ensuring consistent performance regardless of the venue.
Manish Tiwari, Head of Enterprise 5G at Ericsson, highlighted the broader implications of this collaboration, stating that the fastest sailing event deserves the fastest possible connectivity for its crews, onshore teams, and officials. Ericsson Private 5G and Cradlepoint edge routers will support race-critical decision-making and enable enhanced fan experiences through race analytics.
This partnership builds upon previous collaborations between SailGP, Ericsson, and T-Mobile, where the organizations tested and deployed Ericsson's Private 5G solutions over T-Mobile's 5G spectrum at U.S. events during Season 4. The success of these trials has paved the way for a comprehensive global rollout in the 2025 season, underscoring SailGP's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the sport of sailing.
By integrating Ericsson's state-of-the-art 5G technology, SailGP is poised to set a new standard in sports innovation, delivering unparalleled performance optimization, operational efficiency, and fan engagement.