Super Bowl brings super DAS rollouts to handle data deluge
Super Bowl XLVI is coming to Indianapolis this weekend and all of the fans in town for the football extravaganza are going to be sending a lot of content from their smartphones and wireless tablets. Whether you are a New York Giants fan or a New England Patriots fan, you will want to share your photos, video and Foursquare locations with your family and friends. (And let's face it --- this is the one time that checking in with Foursquare will be cool.) But all of that traffic puts pressure on cellular networks. Wireless operators are up for the challenge of managing that traffic by deploying Distributed Antenna Systems. Earlier this week, Corning MobileAccess said it deployed DAS solutions at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis International Airport; eight hotels, including the JW Marriott Indianapolis; two medical centers; the Indiana Convention Center; and the Indianapolis Colts' training facility. Another member of The DAS Forum, Connectivity Wireless, helped with the project. Meanwhile, ExteNet Systems Inc. said it helped Verizon Wireless improve coverage in downtown Indianapolis and outside Lucas Stadium. While the focus on Sunday will be on the game, I'm sure the fans will appreciate the improved wireless coverage. -- Tracy Ford, director of The DAS Forum at PCIA.