Antevia powers Bath Rugby with new private 5G network

Antevia Networks has deployed a private 5G network at Bath Rugby's Recreation Ground, in a move that targets connectivity problems on match days when thousands of spectators gather at the stadium and surrounding fan areas.

The supplier said its 5G Shift system now provides predictable, low-latency coverage across the venue and adjacent zones. Bath Rugby has connected point-of-sale terminals, staff communications and security systems to the network, alongside services used by media and fans.

Bath Rugby can host as many as 14,500 spectators at each home game. The club said it previously experienced congestion on public Wi‑Fi and public mobile networks during peak times. The congestion caused point-of-sale terminals to fail, which slowed service.

The deployment started as a project focused on stabilising retail connectivity. The club and its suppliers expanded the scope to cover a broader set of match-day services.

Stadium Uses

Bath Rugby uses the private 5G network for point-of-sale terminals across food, beverage and club shop operations. The club also uses it for push-to-talk communications linked to medical teams and match-day operations.

The network connects CCTV and body-worn cameras used for crowd safety and control. It also provides temporary connectivity for VIP hospitality areas and access for journalists filing live reports. Bath Rugby has linked digital signage across fan areas to the system for real-time interviews, replays and information.

Antevia said the installation required no RF planning and used fewer access points than a conventional stadium deployment. The company positioned the approach as an alternative to Wi‑Fi expansion and to public mobile networks that struggle under high demand in dense venues.

Installation Approach

Antevia said private 5G deployments have often depended on specialist engineering and long installation cycles. The company linked those challenges to high costs and reliance on large equipment suppliers and telecoms-focused integrators.

At the Recreation Ground, Antevia worked with Spry Fox Networks. Spry Fox acted as the partner on the project.

Antevia described 5G Shift as an end-to-end private network that an in-house IT team can operate in a similar way to enterprise Wi‑Fi. The company said its design reduces the number of access points required in venues where organisations would otherwise deploy dense Wi‑Fi networks.

Technology Details

Antevia said 5G Shift uses a cloud-based virtualised radio access network architecture. The company said the platform follows O-RAN standards and runs on commercial off-the-shelf hardware.

Antevia said its patented multiplexing and Shared Cell technology makes multiple radios appear as a single shared 5G cell. The company said this reduces handover issues and cuts the number of access points required. Antevia said deployments have used as few as one-tenth of the access points required for Wi‑Fi.

"Bath Rugby's Recreation Ground is a perfect example of how simple, scalable and cost-effective private 5G can deliver real-world value. 5G Shift gives organisations comprehensive coverage with ultra-low latency at a low price point, without the complexities and heavy engineering normally associated with the deployment of private cellular," said Simon Cosgrove, CEO, Antevia Networks.

Cosgrove added: "We're proud to be supporting Bath Rugby with a network that stands up, even when the stadium is at full capacity, and we're excited to keep expanding the use cases that can help deliver operational and commercial benefits for the club," said Cosgrove.

Spry Fox described the deployment as a communications platform used for staff operations and incident management.

"Antevia Networks' 5G Private Network has enabled us to provide Bath Rugby with a stable and reliable communications platform to support staff operations, incident management, and medical teams," said Stuart Waine, Director, Spry Fox Networks.

Waine added: "It has also allowed Bath Rugby to elevate the matchday experience for their fans. Working with Antevia Networks has been a genuine pleasure, and we look forward to deploying their 5G Private Network solution with a wide range of other clients as part of our future growth strategy," said Waine.

Antevia said it targets smaller venues and small and medium-sized businesses that have not adopted private 5G because of cost and complexity. The company said its channel partners and system integrators plan further deployments of the 5G Shift system with other clients.