WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With an
anticipated one million or more attendees expected to be in the
nation's capital for the Presidential Inauguration, Verizon has
made significant network enhancements, leading to a 500 percent
increase in wireless data capacity and debuting new
technologies.
New self-optimizing technologies
- We're using new technology in our temporary cell sites along
the National Mall that allow Network engineers to make real-time
adjustments, moving wireless capacity with the crowds as they move.
For the first time, the Network team is using Remote Electrical
Tilt (RET) antennas to remotely change antenna angles. In addition,
we are using Matsing Ball technology, which divides crowds into
sectors like slices of a pie. Each slice or sector can be
adjusted individually to handle wireless traffic.
- All permanent cell sites around the Mall and the surrounding
area have been upgraded with Electrical Tilt antennas to allow
remote adjustment to boost coverage and capacity – so DC residents
and visitors will benefit for years to come.
- We're using three-channel carrier aggregation (LTE Advanced) in
the Washington metro area to
enhance peak data speeds. This is a further enhancement to the
nationwide August rollout of two-channel aggregation, providing 50%
greater peak speeds in DC and across the country (to more than 90%
of the population).
"Verizon customers attending the Inauguration will have early
access to these new technological advancements we are deploying
widely throughout our network in 2017," said Nicola Palmer, Chief Network Officer for Verizon
Wireless. "Our customers have always had the leading technologies
first, providing them with the best experience."
More capacity in more places
Network engineers have added 500 percent more wireless voice and
data capacity throughout Washington
D.C., including at Dulles International Airport, Union
Station, and at local hotels and convention centers.
Testing, and re-testing the network
Teams of engineers equipped with hand-held test equipment are
walking the Mall and most-densely populated neighborhoods of the
nation's capital throughout the festivities to monitor the network
in real-time so changes can be made quickly as needed.
The most connected Inauguration in U.S. history
For President Obama's first inauguration in 2009, only 10
percent of the U.S. population used a smartphone. Today, 88
percent of Americans own smartphones and more than 95 percent of
Verizon's data traffic runs on its 4G LTE network, which launched
nationwide about two years after that first inauguration.
"We've been preparing our network in the D.C. area for months to
be ready for this historic event. Verizon customers at the
inauguration will be using Instagram, SnapChat, and Twitter to
share photos and videos of the swearing in ceremony, run Facebook
Live while attending the parade, and connect with folks back home,
all from their wireless devices," added Palmer.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in
New York City, has a diverse
workforce of 162,000 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates
America's most reliable wireless network, with 113.7 million retail
connections nationwide. The company also provides communications
and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation's
premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business
solutions to customers worldwide.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: News releases, feature stories,
executive biographies and media contacts are available at Verizon's
online News Center at www.verizon.com/news/. News releases are also
available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit
www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Media contact:
Karen Schulz
864.987.2006
Karen.Schulz@verizonwireless.com
@VZWKarenS
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-enhances-next-gen-network-increases-wireless-data-capacity-500-as-dc-prepares-for-donald-trump-presidential-inauguration-300385321.html
SOURCE Verizon