CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Charlotte, North Carolina was abuzz with excitement as attendees at the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) gave a vote of confidence to the Verizon Wireless digital network, completing millions of calls, texts, downloads and other data connections inside and nearby the Time Warner Cable Arena, Convention Center and other DNC venues. Customers completed more than three million voice calls (31% more than a normal week) and over 42 million data connections during the convention.
"Verizon network engineers and technicians have been diligently preparing the last 10 months to ensure we would be able to provide an exceptional wireless experience during the convention," said Vikram Rawat, network director for Verizon Wireless. "This was the first Democratic National Convention to have access to Verizon's 4G LTE network to help people seamlessly transmit volumes of streaming data on their 4G LTE smartphones and tablets as technology took center stage in delivering campaign messages."
To prepare for this volume of activity, Verizon Wireless technicians installed Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) in venues including Time Warner Cable Arena, Bank of America Stadium, the Convention Center and Charlotte Douglas Airport. Verizon also optimized the current network in Charlotte by repositioning antennas and increasing capacity and stationing several mobile cell towers in downtown Charlotte to process thousands of calls and data transmissions simultaneously, enhancing Verizon Wireless' 3G and 4G LTE coverage during the anticipated spikes in traffic. http://youtu.be/Ap9HCo2HWjI.
The DNC enhancements were supported by heavy year-round investments to ensure the reliability of the wireless network. Verizon Wireless invested over $290 million in 2011 to improve and expand access to its wireless broadband and voice service in North Carolina. Charlotte was one of the first markets in the world to gain 4G LTE, which Verizon launched in the city in December 2010.
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
