Portable Cell Site at the Start Line Provides Dedicated Service for

First Responders on FirstNet;

Follow Your Favorite Runner With AT&T Athlete Alerts

AT&T* will once again keep runners and fans connected at this year’s Boston Marathon.

We have been a proud sponsor of the Boston Marathon since 2008, and we’re pulling out all the stops this year. From equipping runners and fans with race-themed mobile device accessories, to providing devices and supporting race apps; we want to make Marathon Monday run more smoothly for everyone involved.

We’re also helping to keep first responders supporting the Marathon connected to the critical information they need via FirstNet – the nationwide wireless communications platform dedicated to America’s first responders and public safety community. The FirstNet Band 14 spectrum has been added to sites along the marathon route, helping to provide optimal coverage and capacity for first responders. And, we’re rolling in a FirstNet Satellite Cell on Wheels (COW) to provide even more capacity for FirstNet subscribers at the starting line in Hopkinton. 

With more than 425,000 connections on FirstNet nationwide, first responders from federal, state, local and tribal public safety agencies continue to turn to FirstNet for the communications capabilities they need, especially during emergencies and large events – like the Boston Marathon.

We’re also giving Bostonians and the visiting race community a way to provide support for local veterans. We have worked with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and Case-Mate to create a brand-new look for the 5^th annual official Boston Marathon smartphone case. And, this year we’ve added a new option – PopSockets PopGrips – that give runners and supporters a unique way to show their passion for one of the nation’s most beloved events. AT&T will donate proceeds from these sales to support Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Mass General Hospital program for veterans and their families.¹  

Starting Friday, April 12, a limited supply of phone cases and PopSockets PopGrips will be available at the AT&T flagship store at 699 Boylston St., near the finish line, at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo at the Hines Convention Center and at the new Fan Fest at Copley Square.

This year, in conjunction with Boston Magazine, we are thrilled to have Marathon legend Tatyana McFadden at our Flagship store in Boston. Tatyana will be meeting with fans and signing autographs and selling her autobiography on Friday, April 12 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

The popular AT&T Athlete Alerts will be back this year to help fans at the event, at home or on the go, follow their favorite athletes along the route. We will also have an AT&T Communication Center to help runners get in touch with their families after the race.

“This is our 12^th straight year working with the Boston Athletic Association to support this iconic event,” said William Stovall, AT&T New England Vice President and General Manager. “Marathon Monday is an exciting day for this city and the hundreds of thousands of Boston Marathon fans across the country. We love having opportunities to bring our network and Boston Flagship store resources together for community moments like these; creating a meaningful experience for the community while keeping athletes, fans and first responders connected throughout the festivities.”

As the official wireless provider of the 123^rd Boston Marathon, we will again offer a host of mobile features to connect runners and spectators. These include:

• AT&T Athlete Alerts: Friends, family and fans wanting to track runners’ progress can sign up to receive real time text updates. Receive text alerts when your runner reaches the 10K, half marathon, 30K and 40K marks, as well as the finish line.

Signing up for AT&T Athlete Alert is easy. Just text RUNNER to 234567 to receive up to 8 text alerts² per bib number.

We’ll also have tablets at the AT&T Athlete Alert registration area during race weekend for those who want to sign up. Look for AT&T at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo. You can sign up for text or email alerts online at baa.org. Program sign-up is available now. Online registration closes Sunday, April 14 at 6 p.m. You can register by mobile phone during the Marathon.

• Complimentary Communication Center: We’re helping runners contact their loved ones after the race with our AT&T Communication Centers. They can connect with them via a call, text or video call. The calling center will be located at the Family Meeting Area after the finish line.
• Increased Network Capacity and Complimentary Wi-Fi: We will provide free temporary Wi-Fi to customers at the finish line on Boylston Street. We also boosted 4G LTE network capacity and added the FirstNet Band 14 spectrum at many sites along the marathon route. This year we plan to bring in 2 deployable network assets, called Cell on Wheels (COWs), to accommodate the expected increase in network demands. One COW will be located near the finish line at Copley Square. A FirstNet COW will be placed near the starting line in Hopkinton to accommodate the expected increase in network demands for first responders. The FirstNet COW is fully dedicated for FirstNet subscribers’ use – meaning only first responders with a FirstNet-connected device will have access to the Band 14 spectrum being broadcast throughout the duration of the race.
• Mobile Medical Centers: AT&T is providing 50 Samsung tablets in the 25 medical tents along the marathon route. They will help the B.A.A.’s medical personnel track competitors as they enter the tents, are treated and released.

• Boston Marathon App: Runners and fans can use the B.A.A.’s mobile app – the Official Boston Marathon App, powered by AT&T – to learn about the race and competitors.

• Athlete Accessory Bundle: New this year, we’re offering a discounted bundle of accessories to help fans and athletes power through the 26.2-mile race. We will be taking 26.2% off an eligible accessory when they purchase a Boston Marathon phone case or PopSockets PopGrip.