Verizon and the National Hockey League (NHL) Collaborate on a Private 5G Pilot Program

Verizon and the National Hockey League (NHL) are collaborating to test private 5G networks in select arenas throughout the United States. This state-of-the-art technology holds the potential to fundamentally transform the sport in all aspects, including the arena.

David Lehanski, executive vice president of business development and innovation for the NHL

This renewal is even more exciting for us due to our dedication to innovation and the progress we've already made in collaboration with Verizon. Developing future solutions and experiences requires not only the application of state-of-the-art technologies from top-tier organizations, but also the ability to genuinely collaborate with them in order to identify significant novel applications.

Private installations for 5G instead of public networks provide specialized bandwidth and exceptionally low latency, which are ideal for computationally intensive tasks. Consider the utilization of connected cameras to enable enhanced security measures, real-time player statistics presented in augmented reality, or instant replays streamed directly to your phone. However, the advantages extend well beyond mere admirer awe. 5G for private use enables game operations. By utilizing 5G-enabled tablets, referees can conduct expedited call reviews, coaches can utilize their iPads to analyze real-time data, and arena personnel can maintain seamless communications due to enhanced network coverage.