Vodafone Provides Fibre For Rugby World Cup TV Broadcasts

Vodafone has built fibre networks at all 13 Rugby World Cup venues, allowing SIS Live to distribute HD video feeds to broadcasters around the world for all 48 matches at this year’s sporting showpiece.

SIS Live will provide connectivity services for host broadcaster ITV for the tournament and will deliver video, audio and communication feeds, as well as streams for global distribution through fibre and satellite links.

Rugby World Cup fibre

The network will transmit feeds from pitch-side to SIS Live’s broadcast operations centres in Manchester and Milton Keynes. Microwave links have also been installed and there will be at least one satellite truck at each venue to ensure not a try, conversion or tackle is missed.

“Thanks to Vodafone, SIS LIVE’s access to an ever-expanding network of fibre-connected sites combined with our own significant broadcast infrastructure which includes dual 24/7 network operation centres and a large mobile satellite fleet, will enable us to become the number one connectivity partner for critical media content,” said David Meynell, managing director at SIS Live.

SIS Live has already tested out the resiliency of its ‘resilient’ network at the Olympic Stadium during the Barbarians v Samoa warm-up match earlier this month. Other venues include Twickenham, Wembley and the Millennium Stadium.

“Our partnership with SIS LIVE highlights the critical role we play as we help to ensure top flight football matches and rugby games of international importance reach the broadcasters whose coverage is watched by millions of sports fans across the globe,” added Dave Langhorn, head of large business for Vodafone UK. “Combining Vodafone’s connectivity expertise and SIS LIVE’s expertise will mean sports fans won’t miss a moment of this season’s events.”

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