Taylor Swift in Lyon. Will fans blow up the 4G and 5G network? Orange responds

The Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu is about to vibrate. For superstar Taylor Swift’s two dates as part of the Eras Tour, this Sunday June 2 and then this Monday June 3, 2024, 114,000 people are expected inside the Olympique Lyonnais venue.

The mobile network particularly used by fans, Orange explains to us how the situation will be managed.

“Exterior antennas are no longer sufficient”

Franck Poirot, head of “Indoor Mobile Coverage” at Orange, agreed to answer questions fromnews Lyon before the Taylor Swift madness swept over the Lyon metropolitan area.

He explains in particular that the stadium which will display sold out “requires specific infrastructure, such as metros, airports and shopping centers.” Spaces in which traditional networks need to be reinforced, “since external antennas are no longer sufficient”.

And for good reason, the fans should produce up to 6 terabytes, i.e. 6,000 gigabytes (GB) data, on a concert.

In comparison, the 57,000 spectators of the last match of the Ligue 1 season, at Groupama Stadium, between OL and Strasbourg, generated four terabytes (4,000 GB), according to Orange.

Different uses

Franck Poirot explains that he is interested in “peaks”, these moments when user demand is very high: “For a football match, it is especially during half-time, including in the corridors. But during a concert, it’s on the totality of the event. »

The uses are also considered, this time with an expectation of “taking photos and videos, but also the lives videos”. Things where backups are important.” The head of Indoor Mobile Coverage, confident, adds that “uses do not change overnight”.

A stadium equipped from the start

What’s more, these questions were, according to the Orange employee, taken into account to the design of the stadium: “Like the number of antennas, or their positioning”.

Franck Poirot recalls that the Groupama Stadium was “totally renovated in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup, but also the 2024 Olympic Games. Concretely, since 2023, “capacity has been multiplied by three for 4Gwhile 5G has been added.”

” I will sleep well “

In Orange, Taylor Swift’s concerts in Lyon are considered “events like any other”, with nevertheless “a increased vigilance and precautionary measures. Remember that Orange must also manage availability common to the four operators.

Orange distributes the network to other large venues in France, including stadiums. ” We usually. Furthermore, we should not beat the Indochina record,” emphasizes Franck Poirot. More than 72,500 fans gathered for this concert in June 2022 at Groupama Stadium, thanks to a central stage.

“We were able to ensure for Indochina, I’m confident for Taylor Swift concerts, I will sleep well,” concludes Franck Poirot.

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