Bud Walton Arena Gets Enhanced Mobile Internet Coverage

 

FAYETTEVILLE — As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T has expanded its mobile Internet coverage at Bud Walton Arena by utilizing a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to enhance the customer experience throughout the facility.

“As we work to further enhance game days at Bud Walton Arena, we are grateful to AT&T for their commitment to Razorback fans,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long. “Technology has become integral part of the fan experience and with AT&T’s 4G LTE network, fans will be able to share more photos and interact on social media while they are cheering on the Hogs. It all adds up to a better experience and a memorable visit to Bud Walton Arena.”

A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout Bud Walton 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 Bud Walton Arena DAS installation is 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, which will increase the density of our wireless network. The wireless network densification will further improve network quality and increase spectrum efficiency.

“We want our customers to have a great network experience wherever they are, no matter what they’re doing – whether that’s making a call, checking email, downloading apps or surfing the Internet,” said Ed Drilling, AT&T Arkansas president. “With initiatives like Project VIP, we’re continuing our investment in the wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at the Bud Walton Arena is just one way that we’re investing in Northwest Arkansas.”

AT&T invested more than $100 million in its best-in-class wireless and wired networks in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers market between 2010 through 2013, driving a wide range of upgrades to enhance speed, reliability, coverage and performance for residents and business customers. AT&T in 2013 made 92 network upgrades in the Northwest Arkansas area, including new cell sites, addition of wireless and wired network capacity, and new broadband network connections. Last year, AT&T also expanded mobile internet coverage at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium with the installation of an upgraded 4G LTE DAS.

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 Arkansas residents continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go.  Our 4G LTE network is the most reliable in the nation.** And the great performance of AT&T’s 4G LTE network continues to be validated by independent third-party testing.

Across Arkansas, AT&T’s 2013 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of our 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds. AT&T’s 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering nearly 280 million people. We expect to be substantially complete with our 4G LTE deployment by summer 2014.

 

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