(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/Tomasz Wyszołmirski)
Each year, roughly 80,000 to 100,000 people attend the Super Bowl, and the heavy use of mobile phones for socializing, travel planning, and “second screen” experiences puts significant strain on local networks.
To prevent service disruptions for its customers during Super Bowl 50, Verizon announced a $70 million investment to upgrade network infrastructure around Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco. Verizon says these improvements have increased capacity by about 50% compared with last year’s game.
Verizon used the funds to expand 4G LTE coverage across key areas of the Bay Area, including the region’s three major airports and hotels hosting teams, media, and NFL officials.
To implement and maintain the upgrades, Verizon deployed a team of 100 engineers and technicians to the area before and during the event to ensure installations are completed and the network operates reliably.
The company added multiple new facilities across San Francisco: 16 additional cell sites, 75 small cell sites, and 25 distributed antenna systems. In some cases, Verizon even placed small cell equipment inside existing street kiosks that are two decades old to improve coverage without altering the cityscape.
These enhancements are intended to give fans a better mobile experience during the event, reducing congestion and improving data speeds when large crowds gather.
Are you impressed with Verizon’s Super Bowl upgrades? Let us know in the comments.