AT&T And Mobilitie Enhance All-Star Mobile Internet Coverage At Nationwide Arena
Today : Wednesday 21 January 2015
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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- When the Blue Jackets take the ice at Nationwide Arena, hockey 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 tapped into the Distributed Antenna System (DAS), engineered, owned and operated by Mobilitie, the nation's leading provider of wireless network infrastructure, to enhance wireless coverage and increase data connectivity for an optimal fan experience throughout the facility.
The installation consists of a neutral-host DAS infrastructure designed by Mobilitie, with multiple strategically-placed AT&T antennas that distribute wireless coverage throughout Nationwide Arena providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas. 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 collaboration with Mobilitie at Nationwide Arena is just one 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 installations in collaboration with companies like Mobilitie, which will increase the density of the company's wireless network. The wireless network densification will further improve network quality and increase spectrum efficiency.
"When our customers head out to the arena to cheer on the Blue Jackets, 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 Adam Grzybicki, president of AT&T Ohio. "With initiatives like Project VIP, we're continuing to invest in our wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at Nationwide Arena is just one way we're investing in Columbus."
"Fans aren't just watching the game anymore – they're increasingly relying on their mobile devices to text, access their social channels and watch videos," said Christos Karmis, president of Mobilitie. "The lack of a great network connection can often make or break the fan experience. That's why we're working with carriers like AT&T who recognize the importance of mobile connectivity for sports fans of today and tomorrow."
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.
These investments help to ensure that Ohioans continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go. AT&T's 4G LTE network is the most reliable in the nation.**
Across Columbus and Ohio, AT&T's 2014 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of the company's 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds.
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.***
AT&T invested more than $250 million in its Columbus area wireless and wireline networks from 2011 through 2013. 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."
