News

Rolling Wireless Stones

They haven't quite got it, have they? The Stones are doing a tour, and every gig is going to be entirely wireless-enabled! - but not for the purpose of giving the audience wireless. But then again, who wants WiFi access to the Web during a Stones concert?

The "Forty Licks" tour looks like wireless will take it straight onto the Web, and if you have a ticket to any concert, apparently, you can then watch other concerts "live" over the Web.

They will have a Hughes satellite upload from the concert venues, and will link to that Internet feed via a 3Com WiFi access point (a 3Com 8000 AP, and a 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Building-to-Building Bridge, to be precise).

And at least someone will be able to use the link to send email! - Mick Jagger himself will have his PC online at the venue - presumably, to indulge his personal vice of watching cricket ...

The kit will mean they have a completely portable connection, which can go in anywhere. If the actual venue is completely screened off from wireless by concrete and steel, the bridging hardware will take the signal outside to the satellite dish.

One benefit of the wireless system is that the worldwide Stones fan community is able to stay current with the tour via the Stones Web site. Fans who have full membership on the site (either by having bought a concert ticket, or by paying a membership fee) have a "virtual ticket" to follow the tour around the world.

The wireless will be installed by Clear Channel Entertainment, a producer and marketer for live events. For tour dates and photos: theoretically, look here; but the site was down when I looked.