State of the Art Radio System for the American Express Community Stadium

15 Apr 2015

In August 2011, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club fans celebrated the official opening of the American Express Community Stadium with its first competitive game. The club and its fans had been fighting for the stadium to be built over several years but it was worth the wait when the state of the art venue was completed.

Setting the stadium apart from others, it boasts unrestricted spectator views all the way round, padded seats for spectators and a range of facilities and attractions including a superstore, art displays, trophy room, a coffee shop and bar.

Furthermore and in keeping with its advanced design, the club appointed one of the country’s leading two way radio suppliers, 2CL Communications Ltd, to install a state of the art radio system at the stadium. Fully modular, the system has been cleverly designed by 2CL to be easily expanded in-line with the stadium as it increases in size.

2CL installed a Motorola MOTOTRBO digital system which comprises of approximately 300 hand-portable radios and a repeater base station supplying two channels. Modern digital radio technology has been used to reject ambient noise (allowing for transmitting in crowds) and to provide crisp, clear audio that does not degrade with distance. The digital radios also give up to 40% longer battery life than analogue radios and are fully submersible, effectively making them waterproof; a significant advantage given the British climate. The radios are used throughout the stadium on match-days by the safety stewards, press office, grounds-men, the stadium security team, on-site catering and maintenance teams.

Keith Smale, Branch Director at 2CL’s London Office, said “‘Mission-critical radio system’ is a term used rather too often in the world of private mobile radio. However, in this case the term is justified as without the ability to communicate properly during football matches, Brighton & Hove FC would be unable to fulfil their mission of providing a safe and secure environment for spectators and staff alike.

“Given the crucial nature of the requirement, combined with the need to use the system in their day-to-day running of the stadium, a Motorola MOTOTRBO digital radio system was the obvious answer. It provides a combination of excellent voice clarity, coverage, system flexibility, class-leading reliability and true value for money.”

Richard Hebberd, Head of Operations, said “We have worked with 2CL for a number of years. They won the contract for the new stadium and delivered on time and within budget.”