[release]
Indianapolis Motor
Speedway Fans Benefit from Verizon Network Innovations
Verizon One of the
First Wireless Carriers to Deploy Small Cell Technology in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS
—
Verizon Wireless, a technology leader with the nation’s largest and most
reliable 4G LTE network, announced today new network upgrades at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) including nearly a dozen small cells around
the exterior of the track to handle growing data traffic. With upwards to 400,000
fans expected to attend a series of events sharing photos and videos on social
media, Verizon engineers have been working for more than a year on an
unprecedented approach.
As
the world’s largest sporting venue, IMS serves as the largest network footprint
in the country for a single event. Verizon engineers created a custom wireless
network facility built at the track to handle the voice and data capacity. The
standalone, on-site facility utilizes advanced technology that provides three
times the total capacity of the network design for the 2012 Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Verizon’s
network enhancements will ensure that fans can count on their mobile devices to
share emails, texts, pictures and videos during the ‘Greatest Spectacle in
Racing,’” said Region President Lauren
Love-Wright. “Small cells are an integral part of Verizon’s commitment
to the customer experience to stay ahead of the growing demand for mobile data
by boosting capacity for popular venues and large crowds. This technology adds
4G LTE capacity in important high traffic areas so that our customers can share
the best moments from the track, especially on social media.”
On
Race Day 2014, 4G LTE traffic on the Verizon Wireless at the Indianapolis 500 network
increased 300 percent over usage on Race Day 2013, and Verizon customers
consumed 1.4 terabytes of data just at the
Indianapolis 500. For comparison, one terabyte can include 472 hours of
broadcast quality video, 150 hours of high-definition recording and enough
words that it would take every adult in America speaking at the same time five
minutes to say them all.
For
the 2015 racing season, Verizon network engineers have enhanced the following
areas:
·
Introduced
small cell technology to enhance the network for large crowds and data traffic
by adding nearly a dozen small cells around the exterior of the track;
·
Built
a custom wireless network facility at the track to handle voice and data
capacity and house infrastructure directly at the speedway, including:
1.
Three
custom designed COPs (cell-on-platform), with a new innovative approach that
includes the capacity equivalent to 7 COWs (cell-on-wheels);
2.
Generator
redundancies
3.
30
days of battery backup on-site
4.
Redundant
cooling systems
5.
Redundant
fiber for backup
6.
24/7
monitoring on site while events are under way
·
Will
have an on-site network monitoring center and an off-site command center the
day of the Indianapolis 500;
·
A
team of Verizon engineers will be walking the track with modified packs to test
wireless capability during the race;
·
Enhanced
additional XLTE capacity in more than 38 key sectors around the track
including:
1.
Hospitality
lot
2.
Beer
garden
3.
Verizon
Fan Village
4.
Driver
garages
5.
Turn
1
·
20
new antennas added to the distributed antenna system (DAS) bringing the total
antennas inside the venue to more than 200;
·
Supported
faster data traffic for the entire venue, including Advanced Calling Features
on devices that allow users to use HD Voice, Video Calling and Simultaneous
Voice and Data (since last fall, more than 1 billion calls have been placed
used Advance Calling);
·
Provided
an additional COW (cell-on-wheels) for tailgaters and gate traffic near 30th
Street and Georgetown Road.
