INDIANAPOLIS, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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:
  • Three custom designed COPs (cell-on-platform), with a new innovative approach that includes the capacity equivalent to 7 COWs (cell-on-wheels);
  • Generator redundancies
  • 30 days of battery backup on-site
  • Redundant cooling systems
  • Redundant fiber for backup
  • 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:
  • Hospitality lot
  • Beer garden
  • Verizon Fan Village
  • Driver garages
  • 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.

Media Contacts:
Trevor Thomas, Verizon, trevor.thomas@verizonwireless.com, 248-915-3680
Kyle Niederpruem, For Verizon, kyle@kylecommuniations.com, 317-509-7334

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.6 million retail customers, including 102.6 million retail postpaid customers. Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless