Sports Technology & Communications News from Around the World

Sprint, a provider of wireless and wireline communications, announced that it is preparing the network for the near record crowd for the Super Bowl XLV at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on February 6.

The company has been preparing for the big game to ensure coverage, capacity, and network dependability for customers in and around Cowboys Stadium, company officials said.

“We are stepping up our game this week to ensure our network is ready to handle the increased traffic that comes with the big game,” said Bob Azzi (News - Alert), Senior Vice President of Sprint, in a statement. “Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and we want to ensure customers have the best possible wireless experience.”

Sprint (News - Alert) has invested heavily over the past one year to improve its network in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Of the approximately $50 million investment, $2.85 million was spent on telecommunications enhancements for game-day communications. An additional $2.5 million was invested to enhance coverage and capacity at additional locations throughout the area.

The company has bolstered its wireless and wireline networks to accommodate the expected increase in voice and data traffic. They include the deployment of two Cells on Wheels (COWs) near Cowboys Stadium for additional coverage and capacity, and performance improvements for the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) inside Cowboys Stadium.

Sprint has also added iDEN and CDMA sites for improved coverage around the stadium and at additional venues including: Dallas Convention Center, Hilton Anatole, Sheraton Dallas, Downtown Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Convention Center, according to company officials.

Clearwire (News - Alert), Sprint’s 4G network partner, has enhanced coverage and capacity through the addition of two 4G macro sites.

Additionally Sprint also added on-site support at the stadium to closely monitor call and data volumes on game day.

Sprint first launched 4G in Dallas/Fort Worth in November 2009. In November 2010, the company launched 4G networks in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. The service is currently available in 71 markets across the country.

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