Saturday, May 23, 2015

Verizon Continues to Improve Fan Experience at IMS

[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.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

The Right Call: Recycle an Old Cell Phone for Good

That old cell phone stuck in a shoe, in your closet. The charging cord that gets you tangled up in knots every time you open your junk drawer. What to do?

Responsibly recycle it, eliminate clutter, and help an awesome cause. The best part? You hardly have to do a thing—just bring it to the track.

Verizon, INDYCAR, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are announcing a HopeLine drive, for the month of May, to raise critical funds and awareness for domestic violence prevention. 

HopeLine from Verizon offers the public an opportunity to help prevent domestic violence by donating no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories—in any condition and from any carrier. Wireless phones given to HopeLine are refurbished and recycled in an environmentally sound way generating proceeds going toward financial support of domestic violence awareness and prevention programs. Verizon also donates phones through HopeLine–complete with service–to local domestic violence agencies or law enforcement agencies for use by domestic violence survivors. 

How to do it:

Just drop any unwanted cell phones and accessories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates 1, 3, 9 or 10-A, on the following days in May: 
  • Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Saturday, May 9
  • Indianapolis 500 Qualifications, Saturday, May 16
  • Old National Armed Forces Pole Day, Sunday, May 17
  • Coors Light Carb Day, Friday, May 22
  • Indianapolis 500, Sunday, May 24
In return, a substantial HopeLine grant will be presented by Verizon to the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence to immediately replenish its Emergency Housing and Transportation Survivor Fund.

Tweet a photo of your donation using the hashtag #VZHopeLineIN.

HopeLine from Verizon Statistics (since 2001):

  • 11.4 million+ phones collected nationwide
  • $29 million+ cash grants provided to domestic violence organizations
  • 190,000+ phones donated to domestic violence victims and survivors
You make the call. Let your old cell equipment languish in a drawer, or put it to good use.

You're a superstar!

Chris