Internet is key part of Auckland's Volvo Ocean Race
High performance boats and high performance Internet make a perfect combo for Volvo Ocean Race
While Cyclone Pam tried her unpredictable best to wobble the plans of the Volvo Ocean Race in Auckland this week, it’s
reassuring that the Internet service provided to the organizing and racing teams was rock solid.
Vocus Communications provided around-the-clock on-line access for the six racing syndicates, the international media as
well as broadcasting Volvo Ocean Race’s ‘Race TV’.
For the past three weeks, these teams and associated media have relied heavily upon their Vocus Internet connection for
vital communication links – whether that’s checking live weather reports and navigational routes, video conferencing
with key suppliers around-the-world, uploading and downloading video, and much more.
Grant Calder, General Manager for Mayo & Calder – the local agent responsible for delivering a successful Auckland Stopover – says the provision of fast and
reliable Internet forms a fundamental part of the Race Village’s infrastructure.
He says: “Having reliable and fast connectivity – as well exceptional IT support to go with that – is one of the most
important things for the teams when they’re land based. There’s no room for error.”
This is the second time Vocus Communications (previously FX Networks) has been appointed to provide connectivity to the
Volvo Ocean Race, because in Grant’s words, Vocus “always over delivers”.
Vocus supplied and installed High Speed Ethernet and Internet access, and assisted in providing enhanced mobile coverage
and securing radio frequencies for the event.
A new initiative this year was the live streaming of Race TV throughout the village. Grant says, “Vocus’ services
allowed us to produce and broadcast a new element that truly brought the whole Race Village experience together.”
It was no coincidence that Vocus is associated with an international competition that’s all about high performance,
smart design and extreme skill. It’s these exact qualities that resonate with Vocus’ own brand.
Regarded as one of the region’s fastest growing telecommunication providers, Vocus owns and operates a fibre network,
spanning New Zealand and Australia, with direct links into the Internet heartlands of Asia and America.
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