Ballpark becomes the first professional sports facility to provide universal Wi-Fi connectivity

03/30/2004 2:00 PM ET

Giants Communications Department

SAN FRANCISCO -- As the San Francisco Giants prepare to open their fifth season at SBC Park, fans will find numerous technological enhancements to their ballpark experience making SBC Park the ultimate "hot spot" in 2004.

The Giants, along with partners SBC and Nortel Networks have installed 121 802.11b Wi-Fi access points to provide continuous universal coverage to all concourses and seating areas, creating one of the largest public hotspots in the world. Fans who bring their PDA, tablet PC, laptop or other Wi-Fi enabled devices to the ballpark will gain free access, during the 2004 baseball season at SBC Park, to the internet through SBC's Freedomlink network.

Intel has partnered with the Giants and SBC's Freedomlink Wi-Fi service to bring its premier mobile computing technology to SBC Park and assist in improving the end user's wireless experience. Intel will allow the Giants and SBC to verify the compatibility of the new SBC Freedomlink Wi-Fi service with Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology.

The Giants have also partnered with Kosmo Studios to provide fans with the Giants Digital Dugout -- an in-park entertainment system that will run over the Wi-Fi network. The Digital Dugout will allow fans to play electronic games, check real-time game day statistics, retrieve scores and other news from around the league, make purchases and access local information.

In addition, all ballpark suites will be equipped with HP computers, flat-panel displays and wireless accessories that provide internet access coupled with more exclusive content from the Giants Digital Dugout, including archived video footage and in-suite food ordering.

"When we opened SBC Park in 2000, our goal was to be one of the most technologically advanced sports facilities in the world. Through the use of wireless, digital and on-line technology, we have greatly enhanced the fan experience," said Larry Baer, Giants executive vice president and COO. "Whether fans take advantage of our technological capabilities at the ballpark, at home, in the office or on the road, we strive to employ the latest and greatest technology to maximize convenience and to provide a unique entertainment experience for our fans."

"We are absolutely thrilled to bring Giants fans and our customers the ultimate Wi-Fi hot spot powered by FreedomLink," said Lora Watts, president, SBC West, external affairs. "Our vision is to extend the broadband world beyond the home and the office, and SBC Park is a perfect fit. It is a grand slam that complements the hotels, airports, convention centers and other locations that SBC is turning into broadband hot spots."

"Wi-Fi has given people more freedom and flexibility to connect to the Internet wirelessly in hotels, airports, cafes and now even ballparks," said Don Macdonald, vice president, Intel Sales & Marketing Group. "To help enhance the Wi-Fi experience, SBC Park's new Wi-Fi service will be tested for compatibility with Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology -- Intel's best technology for wireless mobile computing."

In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity, other innovations intended to boost the fan experience at SBC Park for the 2004 season include:

Giants' 24-Hour Box Office: New for 2004, fans can purchase or pick up tickets from automated ticketing kiosks located outside of SBC Park's gates 24 hours per day, seven days per week. On game days, additional kiosks will be available that provide express day-of-game will-call pick up, speeding entry into the ballpark.

Ticket Relay: After a successful launch in 2003, with over 10,000 tickets "relayed," Major League Baseball's first electronic ticket transfer system will be offered to all Giants ticketholders this season. Ticket Relay provides a hassle-free electronic ticketing experience by enabling fans to transfer and receive tickets via e-mail. For identification purposes, fans must use a major credit card or California driver's license at the automated kiosks conveniently located around SBC Park to pick up their tickets. Also, for the first time, Giants fans will have the option to electronically donate unused tickets to various non-profit and charitable organizations in the greater Bay Area.

Double Play Ticket Window: This pioneering Internet-based system was introduced in 2000 and enables season ticketholders to post their tickets for resale at sfgiants.com. The Double Play Ticket Window was the first fully integrated online secondary ticket market in the ticketing industry. The program creates a safe, protected and convenient marketplace in which to resell tickets and eliminates the hassle of exchanging tickets and money. It also provides a trusted venue for individuals interested in purchasing prime seat locations at SBC Park. Since its inception, over 325,000 tickets have been resold via the Double Play Ticket Window.

Electronic Ticket Donation: For the first time in 2004, Giants fans, using Ticket Relay, will have the option to electronically donate unused tickets to various non-profit and charitable organizations in the greater Bay Area. In addition, fans using the Double Play Ticket Window will have the opportunity to donate a portion or all of their proceeds to the Giants Community Fund in order for the Fund to purchase game tickets for the kids participating in the Junior Giants Baseball Program.

Xtreme Rewards: The first exclusive online fan loyalty program in Major League Baseball. "Xtreme" Giants fans of all ages have the option to sign up for membership packages, ranging from $25 to $45, which provide them access to unique team memorabilia, priority access to purchase single game tickets and other special offers.

About the San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants of the National League are one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball. Boasting a 121-year history, they moved to San Francisco from New York in 1958 playing a total of 42 years in Seals Stadium and Candlestick Park before moving into their current home at SBC Park in 2000. Since moving into SBC Park, the Giants have experienced tremendous success on the field, including winning the National League West in 2000 and 2003 and the National League Pennant in 2002. In 2001, Barry Bonds broke the single season record with 73 homeruns. The team's last seven-year record (647-486) is the San Francisco Giants best ever. Off the field, the Giants boast one of the premier community outreach programs in professional sports and was the first team to implement a 100 percent participation program, involving every player, coach and uniformed staff member in at least one community project throughout the season. Through its community outreach programs, the Giants work with corporate and non-profit partners to raise awareness, educate and generate interest in a variety of issues important to their fans and community. For additional information about the Giants, please visit www.sfgiants.com.

About SBC Communications

SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 24 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also now offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.

About Kosmo Studios

Kosmo stands at the forefront of the Digital Media Revolution and assists organizations that wish to evolve to a higher standard in content production, presentation and systems delivery. From websites to Wi-Fi, Kosmo Studios is a Digital Media Studio committed to making a difference. Kosmo Studios' productions utilize animation, video, user interface design and bleeding edge technologies to captivate and motivate the audience. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida -- the world's capital for themed entertainment -- the Kosmo staff lives and breathes for the "show". Clients rely on Kosmo to create dynamic and motivating applications and presentations to connect them to their guests. Kosmo is the link to making the user experience exciting, memorable, and most of all ... positive.

To find out more, visit www.kosmostudios.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Giants Homepage | MLB.com