Verizon signed a deal with Cisco to use 5G and edge technology to improve and safeguard the in-person experience at large venues in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Mobile network operators and vendors used to frame the 5G entertainment opportunity around more captivating features that could augment the in-person experience at sporting events and concerts, but that positioning has fallen by the wayside amid the COVID-19 crisis. Most people now have no interest in attending crowded events while a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease is spreading. Moreover, it’s unclear when or how massive events will return at a regular clip.

By recognizing this dramatic shift and unabated concern about potential exposure and infection, many companies like Verizon and Cisco are changing their pitch in kind. Safety has superseded visions of augmented reality.

Verizon said its 5G and edge deployments at dozens of stadiums will, with Cisco’s help, soon allow venue staff to manage crowd density and traffic flows, aid in the adherence to social distancing, and direct attendees to less packed restrooms and concession stands with shorter lines.

It’s unclear exactly how any technology could meet those goals. While real-time analytics could provide critical data, anyone who’s attended a live sporting event knows the crush of people they will encounter at facilities and beer stands during breaks in play. 

“While all sports and entertainment fans are looking forward to the day they can get back to their favorite venues, many are understandably nervous about their safety in large crowds. This solution will help put minds at ease so fans can re-enter venues with the knowledge that strong steps are being taken to safeguard their well-being,” Aamir Hussain, SVP and chief product officer at Verizon Business, said in a statement.

Verizon said it is purchasing multiple Cisco offerings, including Cisco DNA Spaces for location analytics, switches and data center technology, and analytics fueled by connected venue data. The operator plans to deploy Cisco’s equipment and services at dozens of stadiums where its 5G and mobile edge computing networks are already deployed.

Public health officials continue to warn people against attending in-person events, and social distancing is practically impossible at major events, as recent events at the White House have demonstrated to dramatic effect. 

In-person sporting events and concerts are effectively on hold until the pandemic ends. Since the NBA restarted its season in July, it has required all players and personnel to reside permanently at a "bubble" in Orlando, Florida, with strict restrictions on movement and in-person contact. The NFL, now in its fifth week of play, has mostly taken place in empty stadiums and multiple teams have been fined or received penalties for failing to adhere to public health guidelines.