Verizon Wireless Finalizes Network Enhancements In Preparation For The Democratic National Convention In Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With an expected 35,000 visitors to descend on Charlotte next week for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC), Verizon Wireless network engineers have finalized wireless enhancements to effectively manage the increased traffic and ensure an excellent experience for visitors, local residents and businesses.

Since Verizon Wireless experienced a 16-fold network increase during the 2008 DNC, 4G LTE-enabled smartphones and tablets have emerged, offering real-time social media and video updates at an unprecedented pace and volume. Verizon Wireless expects record-setting traffic on its 4G LTE network as political representatives, journalists, bloggers and thousands more "wireless power users" upload and download a torrent of videos, photos, posts, tweets, texts, live broadcasts and more.

"Our team knows mobile technology will be the preferred method for voters to keep abreast of the campaign messages, latest news and election results," said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless president for the Carolinas and Tennessee.  "We are taking this responsibility very seriously. Verizon is eager to see our 4G LTE network play a major role in delivering the important campaign messages to keep Americans connected and informed."

Verizon Wireless' network preparations include:

• Distributed antenna systems (DAS) have been installed in all major meeting spaces that will be utilized for the convention including the Bank of America stadium, Time Warner Cable Arena, Convention Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Charlotte Douglass International Airport. A DAS is a series of smaller antennas strategically placed throughout a venue and networked together to form infrastructure that increases capacity and coverage throughout the venue. These are hybrid systems that run voice, EVDO data (3G) and LTE data (4G) and are permanent systems that will remain in place even after the DNC leaves town.
• Mobile cell towers, referred to as CoWs and CoLTS (Cells on Wheels and Cells on Light trucks) are strategically situated throughout the downtown Charlotte area to assist with offloading wireless traffic and increasing capacity in key areas where there is anticipated heavy traffic. CoW and CoLT units have the ability to process thousands of calls and data transmissions at the same time to enhance Verizon Wireless' 3G and 4G LTE coverage in Charlotte during the anticipated spikes in traffic.  
• Network technicians optimized current permanent network in Charlotte by repositioning antennas, increasing permanent capacity and ensuring all permanent towers run at optimum capacity.
• Working in conjunction with the DNC committee, Verizon identified over 75 hotels in the Charlotte area that will host DNC delegates and guests.  System Performance Engineers equipped with special test equipment walked the hallways of the majority of these hotels to test in-building penetration (signal strength inside rooms).  As a result of the System Performance Engineers tests, the network team deployed distributed antenna systems using network repeaters to enhance coverage to numerous hotels.
• Verizon Wireless has made preparations for emergency services during the DNC as well.  A special command center operating throughout the DNC will house additional equipment, technicians and engineers, who will communicate directly with the city of Charlotte and DNC officials in the case of severe weather or emergency. 

Updates on DNC-related wireless network usage will be available via Twitter @VZWKarens. For additional information about the Verizon Wireless network, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless