AT&T Enhances Gameday Mobile Internet Coverage at Faurot Field
COLUMBIA, Mo., Oct. 6, 2014 — When a big play happens this season at Faurot Field, football fans can expect to enjoy an enhanced mobile experience as they pull out their wireless device to share the most exciting moments with friends and family.
As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T* has expanded mobile Internet coverage at Faurot Field by completing upgrades to the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to enhance the fan experience throughout the facility.
A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout Faurot Field, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas, such as football stadiums. DAS has the ability to provide enhanced, consistent wireless coverage to customers in indoor or outdoor spaces where geographical limitations – terrain, building construction, etc. – or crowd density might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience.
The Faurot Field DAS is part of AT&T’s Project Velocity IP (VIP), a multi-year plan to invest for growth, announced in 2012. Through this investment, AT&T is supporting its customers’ growing desire for high-quality, fast wireless and wired services. As part of Project VIP, AT&T is deploying small cell technology, macro cells and additional DAS, which will increase the density of our wireless network. The wireless network densification will further improve network quality and increase spectrum efficiency.
“When our customers head out to the stadium to cheer on their favorite team, we want them to have a great network experience throughout the game no matter what they’re doing – whether that’s making a call, checking email, downloading apps or surfing the Internet,” said Nancy Garvey, Vice President and General Manager of AT&T’s Greater Midwest Region. “With initiatives like Project VIP, we’re continuing to investment in the wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at Faurot Field is just one way that we’re investing in Columbia.”
DAS technology helps improve the mobile Internet experience by shortening the distance a request must travel. The additional capacity also is expected to help improve call reliability, boost data traffic capacity and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.
Data usage has been up this year at Faurot Field, as 290 GB of mobile data traffic crossed our in-venue mobile network during the game on September 20, 2014. This was approximately 155% more traffic than what was used on the AT&T venue-specific network during the 2013 season home finale.
Even more on September 20, Global Wireless Solutions (GWS), a leading independent benchmarking solutions vendor for the wireless industry, tested mobile coverage at Faurot Field and found that AT&T offered the most reliable 4G LTE network experience of any mobile provider at the stadium. The results also found AT&T tied for first in offering the fastest 4G LTE download speeds and delivered 100% LTE accessibility at the venue. **
These investments help to ensure that Missouri residents continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go. Our 4G LTE network is the most reliable in the nation. ***
“Enhancing our fans’ gameday experience is very important, especially as technology continues to expand and become so much more of a connection that people use with each other,” said Chad Moller, associate athletic director for communication. “This investment by AT&T ensures that our fans can share their favorite moments as they happen with their friends and family.”
Across Columbia and Missouri, AT&T’s 2014 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of our 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds. AT&T 4G LTE is now available in Columbia as well as Branson, Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Joplin, Hannibal, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lebanon, Mexico, Moberly, Rolla, Poplar Bluff, Sedalia, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Warrensburg and West Plains. Our 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering more than 290 million people.
AT&T’s focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T owns and operates more than 34,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 1 million hotspots globally through roaming agreements. **** Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly wireless data plans.
Over the past six years (2008 to 2013), AT&T invested more than $140 billion into its wireless and wireline networks, when you combine capital investment and acquisitions of spectrum and wireless operations. Over the past six years, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a September 2013 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. “Investment Heroes.”
For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Columbia or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
**All speed and reliability claims are specific to GWS benchmarking test results and only in-venue coverage at the event on September 20, 2014, between approximately 2pm and 7pm CST.
*** Claim based on analysis of independent third party data re national carriers’ 4G LTE. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.
**** A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
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