[coleca]

Since the tablets are operating wirelessly it becomes very hard to test since the conditions before the game aren't the same as what occurs during the game. All the fans with their smartphones aren't there yet polluting the airwaves until the game starts (some don't make it in until after the game has already started).

Also worth noting that some of the reporters were complaining at last week's game that the WiFi was down in the press box at Gillette Stadium at the start of the game. There could have been a bigger networking issue going on there.

The Pats use Extreme Networks WiFi gear in the stadium.

[hackuser]

> Since the tablets are operating wirelessly it becomes very hard to test since the conditions before the game aren't the same as what occurs during the game. All the fans with their smartphones aren't there yet polluting the airwaves until the game starts (some don't make it in until after the game has already started).

By now, the IT team should know the gametime environment very well. It should no longer be a surprise to them.

[jpindar]

Knowing roughly what conditions to expect is not the same as actually testing equipment under those conditions. The team staff aren't trying to simulate or predict anything, they're trying to test the performance of the specific tablets they get, under game conditions.

On gameday there are thousands of different rf sources - deliberate and otherwise - in the stadium. You can't simulate that in as much detail as needed.