Customers Experience the Power of the Network at the Indy500

Drivers at the 98thIndianapolis 500 weren't the only ones cranking up the power on Sunday, May 25. Verizon Wireless was also at work, ensuring a powerful wireless experience for customers attending the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). With approximately 250,000 attending the race, Verizon Wireless customers maximized their experience by sending pictures, texting, tweeting, talking and accessing the INDYCAR 14 app. That activity generated unprecedented volumes over the Verizon Wireless network during the Indy500 weekend.

During the race, Verizon Wireless handled a record demand of more than double the data connections over the busiest hour at last year's race. Total customer data usage at the Speedway was nearly 1.5 terabytes, also a Verizon IndyCar Series record.

Verizon Wireless' team of wireless engineers closely monitored the network throughout the weekend to ensure optimal performance. The data connection and volume records set at last year's Indy500 were broken as early as two hours before the green flag was waved on Sunday.

Network preparations and planning for the Indy500 began well over a year ago. As part of $130 million invested in its wireless network throughout Indiana in 2013, Verizon Wireless installed a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) with more than 200 small antennas inside throughout the Speedway to increase 4G LTE data capacity by 250 percent and deployed XLTE —delivering faster peak data speeds and a minimum of double the 4G LTE bandwidth. In addition, Cells on Light Trucks (COLTs) and Cells on Wheels (COWs) were set up outside the track to enhance customer experiences.

For those fans who couldn't be near the Speedway, Verizon Wireless made sure they weren't missing a moment of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." With the INDYCAR 14 app , fans streamed live in-car camera video, driver and pit crew audio and IMSP Radio broadcasts on their mobile devices. Features included a real-time leader board with vehicle telemetry and track positioning and notification alerts when the race started and ended.

Whether they were watching the race live at IMS, exploring Fan Village or hanging out in the Snake Pit , Verizon Wireless kept fans connected throughout the Indy500 weekend.