Siemens in a deal with Borussia Dortmund

German-based telecommunications equipment company Siemens has been commissioned by Bundesliga club to provide and operate an innovative telecommunications system. Borussia Dortmund’s stadium is being equipped – like the Allianz Arena in Munich, the AOL Arena in Hamburg, and the Gottlieb Daimler Stadium in Stuttgart – with new communications technology.

Siemens Communications, the division installing the system, is a world leader in convergent technologies, products and services for wireless, fixed and enterprise networks. It is the largest Group within Siemens and operates in more than 160 countries around the world. In fiscal 2004 (year-end September 30), its 60,000-strong workforce posted sales of approximately E 18bn.

The modular structure and high degree of scalability of the solution will allow a host of additions in the future – especially with a view to the expected 2006 World Cup. A comprehensive "Managed Services" contract has also been concluded with Siemens for the new communications system.

The club, including all its functional buildings and units, will be equipped with an IP communications system based on HiPath platforms. The overall solution will include a call center, unified messaging applications, and mobile telephony. The passive and active data network, which will be brought up to the latest standard during the conversion, will also be incorporated into the overall architecture. The modular technology will allow additional applications to be incorporated, such as wireless IP telephony, which will make it possible to use pocket PCs and PDAs in the stadium, and which can then also be used for new types of information services during the matches.