Despite the initiative's current shortcomings, at least the network will be up to scratch. Cisco said this was more than just "super dooper Wi-Fi" it was bringing to the Bernabeu.
"What Cisco has done here is used the set of tools that we have (Rogue AP detection, Radio Resource Manager, Clean Air for RF interference detection, Band Steering to move clients to the appropriate radio band) along with new innovations such as narrow beam High Gain Antennas and new RF tuning techniques to optimise the Wi-Fi network for the most demanding environments," Hamilton said.
Grand ambitions need substance too.
"The connection speeds of the client will depend on the type of client and what it supports, but the Connected Stadium Wi-Fi network supports the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with 802.11g and 802.11 a respectively as well as 802.11n on both bands.
"For example, speedtest measurements using the speedtest.net application on iPhones have measured upload and download speeds in the 15-20Mpbs range in some stadiums."
If those speeds prove to be accurate in the real world, that's some speedy mobile internet. Better than what a lot of people get in their own homes.
The actual workforce to manage the task has been established too. To nail an IT project for an entire stadium, especially one as massive as the Bernabeu, you need quality planning and the right people on board. In this case, given the range of different technologies being used, particular skills were required.
"The team selected to deploy the project by both Cisco and Real Madrid are people with deep knowledge and skilled in all the domains (Wi-Fi, networking, TV, cabling, mobile applications, business, etc) that compose such a projects like this."
It's clear some headway has been made to achieving the end goal. However, just as with Mourinho's men, the package looks promising but the team is yet to deliver. Grand ambitions need substance too.
As any manager will tell you, whether in IT or football, having a complete strategy in place from the start is a big boon. If Real Madrid can fill in the gaps, however, the Bernabeu may well become what its owners hope it will be: one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world.
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