Securing Swedish Hockey League’s Wi-Fi networks

Clavister's security gateway will be used to deliver secure Wi-Fi networks at 14 Swedish Hockey League (SHL) arenas, in partnership with specialist integrator Bluecom.

Clavister’s next generation firewalls will provide a security layer to the SHL arena networks with their transparent authentication technology, while also providing network segregation and traffic shaping for different applications, enabling optimum network performance. Using Clavister’s security platforms, the SHL will also be able to offer hockey fans a Wi-Fi portal to access interactive services including video replays and in-game betting. The project started in 2014 and is due for completion this year.

Jim Carlsson, CEO of Clavister, said: “Working with Bluecom we will deliver a secure, high-performance Wi-Fi network to the Swedish Hockey League helping them to overcome the challenges of managing data in crowded public spaces, enabling them to offer an enhanced spectator experience to its many thousands of fans via a new digital service platform. This offers the SHL the opportunity to draw spectators to their networks and to monetise this opportunity through services such as advertising, betting and streaming.

“The scalability of our solutions means that an array of businesses and organisations could provide secure Wi-Fi or Small Cell Networks in large public spaces and venues, with similar monetised platforms running on them. For instance entire cities could provide resources and public services to tourists or retail outlet centres could provide value added interactive services to shoppers – the possibilities really are endless,” added Carlsson.

Clavister and Bluecom have collaborated on a number of projects including building Sweden’s largest outdoor secure Wi-Fi network for the 2015 World Ski Championships in Falun, which will begin in February. The companies first provided large-scale public Wi-Fi networks for the 2009 Volvo Ocean Race sailing regatta and also at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in 2010 providing Wi-Fi internet access to both spectators and media outlets across the city of Stockholm, together with system integrator Datacom.