T-Mobile and Major League Baseball (MLB) have extended and expanded their partnership for six years.
The deal enables T-Mobile to continue expanding its 5G network to MLB stadiums and help the league test automated ball-strike (ABS) technology during select games this season.
The tests will include transmission of real-time video via T-Mobile 5G. The secure and low latency network, T-Mobile says, will enable players, umpires and other officials to challenge and analyze calls.
Other elements of the extension call for T-Mobile to:
- Become presenting sponsor of the Little League Baseball World Series in August.
- Continue its title sponsorship of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby during All-Star Week. T-Mobile Park in Seattle will be the venue in July.
- Continue the T-Mobile 5GP BP show for the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and MLB Postseason. It now will include 5G-powered batter and catcher cams.
- Give its customers free MLB.TV subscriptions via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app through 2028.
“T-Mobile and MLB are embarking on a six-year journey to deliver breakthrough fan experiences, and it’s all thanks to our leading 5G network,” T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said in a press release. “We’re enhancing the game on and off the field to give fans across the country even more ways to enjoy the game we all love — on top of showing our customers love with free MLB.TV.”
Last August, T-Mobile deployed its 5G network in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. The upgrades included launch of Ultra Capacity 5G in some sectors and doubling the LTE capacity. The carrier said that more 5G upgrades are planned for this season. T-Mobile introduced its 5G service via a drone tour featuring former Yankees Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams.
T-Mobile planned during the 2020 World Services to use “BatterCams” mounted on the caps of players and coaches. The result was to be field-level high definition cameras with and immersive view featuring real time, 360 degree views of the action.
