Sprint Super Bowl Coverage/DAS

[RedSpark]

Great game!

1.4 Gbps. To a mobile device. At the Big Game.

It’s pretty incredible.

[RedSpark]

Some great stats from this article: https://stadiumtechreport.com/news/verizon-att-hit-new-highs-for-big-game-cellular-data-use-at-super-bowl-liv

Quote

 

According to Verizon, customers on its wireless networks "in and around" the stadium Sunday used a total of 30.4 terabytes of data, up from the previous high-water mark for Verizon of 21.5 TB of data used at Super Bowl LIV in Miami in 2020. AT&T reported customers on its networks used 13 TB of data Sunday, up from 10.2 TB seen at Super Bowl LIV in 2020. Last year's Super Bowl LV in Tampa had much lower data totals for all kinds of wireless communications, due to the reduced-capacity crowd due to the Covid pandemic.

...............

Verizon said that its networks were used by 60 percent of the attendees at the game Sunday.

...........

According to Verizon the biggest spikes in data usage Sunday happened at the halftime show as well as just before kickoff; AT&T reported that about half its data total, 6.6 TB, was used before kickoff and during the first quarter.

Like in recent years past, T-Mobile did not report any Super Bowl data-usage totals. However, T-Mobile did say that its customers saw peak 5G speeds "topping 2 Gigabits per second" on its 5G networks at SoFi Stadium.

 

Wish we could see those usage stats for T-Mobile. Sprint used to report its usage stats. Oh well.

That usage for Verizon is crazy high... More than double AT&T's... and that's with Verizon's autoconnect agreement for WiFi at the Stadium. What explains this?

The article mentions that in addition to its cellular numbers Verizon customers likely contributed to the usage of the Wi-Fi network at SoFi, since Verizon has an autoconnect agreement which can quickly switch customers to the Wi-Fi network. I'd be curious to see those numbers, which will be reported by Extreme Networks: https://www.extremenetworks.com/nfl/

Perhaps this is a first? Wi-Fi Coaches?:

I think it's a great idea.

Edited February 15, 2022 by RedSpark
Additional Detail

[RedSpark]

Some additional background on SoFi's Network Infrastructure and DAS: https://stadiumtechreport.com/editorial/cellular-carriers-bring-5g-blitz-to-sofi-stadium-for-super-bowl-lvi

Quote

According to Mecum, Verizon has more than 472 5G nodes deployed throughout SoFi Stadium, easily the most for any single venue it covers.

Perhaps that explains Verizon's high usage numbers?

Quote

T-Mobile, which uses different spectrum bands than AT&T and Verizon, said it will have its 5G services available at 2.5 GHz, 24 GHz and 39 GHz.

There are also some great insights on how usage is modeled/anticipated in this article. Definitely worth a read.

Edited February 15, 2022 by RedSpark
Clarity

[PedroDaGr8]

2 hours ago, RedSpark said:

Some additional background on SoFi's Network Infrastructure and DAS: https://stadiumtechreport.com/editorial/cellular-carriers-bring-5g-blitz-to-sofi-stadium-for-super-bowl-lvi

Perhaps that explains Verizon's high usage numbers?

There are also some great insights on how usage is modeled/anticipated in this article. Definitely worth a read.

This is one of the first times I have seen them explicitly mentioning 24GHz deployment.

[RedSpark]

23 minutes ago, PedroDaGr8 said:

This is one of the first times I have seen them explicitly mentioning 24GHz deployment.

Great point. First I've heard about it as well. The Big Game is a great platform for putting the latest tech out there to a worldwide audience.

[RedSpark]

Super Bowl LVII is just around the corner.

Good piece on preparations being made at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ:

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/01/16/Upfront/super-bowl.aspx

Look at those data usage numbers. Crazy stuff.

We should get carrier-specific information in the coming weeks.

[RedSpark]

Over the past 12 months, T-Mobile has rolled out significant 5G upgrades inside State Farm Stadium and across Phoenix to better serve customers with faster speeds and better reliability than ever before. This includes permanent 5G upgrades at venues like Gila River Arena, the Phoenix Convention Center, Tucson International Airport, and with key hotels and points around the area where large gatherings are expected.

The permanent upgrades inside State Farm Stadium include:

• Boosting 2.5 GHz Ultra Capacity 5G coverage and capacity with indoor and outdoor DAS systems.
• Launching 600 MHz of mmWave spectrum for download speeds up to 10x faster than before.

Beyond the stadium, the upgrades include:

• Ultra Capacity 5G upgrades to areas around the stadium, with more towers, enhanced backhaul and 100 MHz of 2.5 GHz spectrum for customers to tap into.
• Capacity upgrades across the region, including dedicated Ultra Capacity 5G small cells to densify the network in areas where crowds are expected.
• These upgrades will give customers 4x faster speeds and a more reliable connection than before.

Here we go!

[RedSpark]

For comparison:

Verizon: https://www.verizon.com/about/news/speed-january-30-2023

Great behind the scenes video. Sounds like they plastered the place with antennas.... Wow.

[mikejeep]

Every year the impact of hosting a Super Bowl seems to come with better and better long-term network impacts. Those look like some huge investments that people in the area will get to enjoy for a long time.

VZ video was cool until Eli showed up in it.. 🤣

[radem]

10 hours ago, mikejeep said:

Every year the impact of hosting a Super Bowl seems to come with better and better long-term network impacts. Those look like some huge investments that people in the area will get to enjoy for a long time.

VZ video was cool until Eli showed up in it.. 🤣

These types of mass gatherings of people are exactly what MMWave with the other layers of the spectrum cake above it is good for.  There is nothing worse from a customer point of view than being at one of these events but getting no or very slow data due to the system being overloaded.  MMWave when deployed properly fixes this problem for densely packed crowds who are heavy mobile data users.

[RedSpark]

10 hours ago, mikejeep said:

Every year the impact of hosting a Super Bowl seems to come with better and better long-term network impacts. Those look like some huge investments that people in the area will get to enjoy for a long time.

VZ video was cool until Eli showed up in it.. 🤣

Haha!

Agreed. The Super Bowl is a really good measure of the progress/advancement of what can be accomplished given a certain focused spend in a market each year. Pretty amazing how far things have come in a matter of a few years.

[RedSpark]

45 minutes ago, radem said:

These types of mass gatherings of people are exactly what MMWave with the other layers of the spectrum cake above it is good for.  There is nothing worse from a customer point of view than being at one of these events but getting no or very slow data due to the system being overloaded.  MMWave when deployed properly fixes this problem for densely packed crowds who are heavy mobile data users.

Agreed. I'm really looking forward to the stats on the amount of data used at the game released by the carriers. Should be a substantial amount given the deployment of MMWave.

Waiting on AT&T to release its network build announcement for the Game.

[RedSpark]

VERIZON

Found this Article from a bit ago: https://www.pcmag.com/news/inside-look-how-verizon-is-bringing-faster-5g-to-phoenix-for-super-bowl

It contains some very interesting info on the specs and capacity of Verizon's Network build for the Stadium.

Apparently the Network command center that Verizon just built in Phoenix will also be used for the 2024 Super Bowl which will be held in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. They're close enough in distance.

(There's also some interesting information about AT&T's upgrades in the Article.)

AT&T

There's more specific info on AT&T's Network build here with some historical stats: https://www.yourvalley.net/glendale-independent/stories/att-adds-2k-wireless-antennas-inside-glendale-stadium-for-super-bowl,363805

The additional coverage in Glendale includes:

• Deploying more than 2,000 wireless network antennas serving the interior of the stadium to deliver network coverage and capacity to seating areas on all levels.

• Boosting network capacity throughout the stadium interior for fast data experience by adding AT&T 5G+, 5G mmWave, and C-Band spectrum.

• Outside of the stadium, AT&T has deployed 64 outdoor antennas supported by 15 miles of fiber and power cables to cover the parking/tailgating and Westgate area.

• Hotel locations in the near vicinity to the stadium have been equipped with iDAS networks (indoor distributive antenna systems) to provide customers with wireless service during their stay.

Very cool!

[floorguy]

30 minutes ago, RedSpark said:

VERIZON

Found this Article from a bit ago: https://www.pcmag.com/news/inside-look-how-verizon-is-bringing-faster-5g-to-phoenix-for-super-bowl

It contains some very interesting info on the specs and capacity of Verizon's Network build for the Stadium.

Apparently the Network command center that Verizon just built in Phoenix will also be used for the 2024 Super Bowl which will be held in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. They're close enough in distance.

(There's also some interesting information about AT&T's upgrades in the Article.)

AT&T

There's more specific info on AT&T's Network build here with some historical stats: https://www.yourvalley.net/glendale-independent/stories/att-adds-2k-wireless-antennas-inside-glendale-stadium-for-super-bowl,363805

The additional coverage in Glendale includes:

• Deploying more than 2,000 wireless network antennas serving the interior of the stadium to deliver network coverage and capacity to seating areas on all levels.

• Boosting network capacity throughout the stadium interior for fast data experience by adding AT&T 5G+, 5G mmWave, and C-Band spectrum.

• Outside of the stadium, AT&T has deployed 64 outdoor antennas supported by 15 miles of fiber and power cables to cover the parking/tailgating and Westgate area.

• Hotel locations in the near vicinity to the stadium have been equipped with iDAS networks (indoor distributive antenna systems) to provide customers with wireless service during their stay.

Very cool!

Crazy all this temp work for 1 game.. Take what a week or 2, to set up and take down.. 15 miles of fiber, 2000 antennas.

Insane for 1 game

 

[RedSpark]

3 hours ago, floorguy said:

Crazy all this temp work for 1 game.. Take what a week or 2, to set up and take down.. 15 miles of fiber, 2000 antennas.

Insane for 1 game

 

The substantial growth in device usage necessitates it. It’s also an advertisement on Sport’s biggest stage for the Brand.

Many of these these upgrades are permanent, but each carrier has its own plans/budget for what it does.

[RedSpark]

More on Super Bowl preparations here: https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-att-and-verizon-gear-super-bowl

Verizon:

That said, Verizon will have some hefty gear on hand if it needs to use it, like THOR, the Tactical Humanitarian Operations Response vehicle, as well as THOR’s Hammer and the Mobile Utility Technology Transport (MUTT) police cruiser.

Very cool…

AT&T:

Like Verizon, AT&T is bringing all the tools at its disposal to serve fans and public safety customers during the big game. That includes a flying cell on wheels (COW) and a robotic dog.
 

There’s a ton of detail on AT&T’s network build here. Great read!

[RedSpark]

Some more detail in this article: https://www.rcrwireless.com/20230207/test-and-measurement/srg-on-super-bowl-capacity-5g-is-the-go-to-carrier-and-3-45-ghz-is-in-play

Among the findings of interest:

Quote

 

-For all three operators, SRG estimated that 5G accounted for more than 75% of their potential network capacity.

-For T-Mobile US in particular, its mid-band 5G spectrum assets accounted for 97% of its potential capacity, and for AT&T, its mid-band 5G holdings provide around 90% of its total 5G capacity (SRG also encountered some AT&T mmWave sites in its drive-testing.) 

-Verizon’s 5G accounted for 77% of its available capacity, mostly due to its “heavy use of CBRS spectrum, which gave it much higher LTE capacity than its peers,” SRG said. By SRG’s reckoning, CBRS-related radio assets accounted for nearly half (49%) of Verizon’s available LTE capacity. Meanwhile, Verizon’s 5G mmWave spectrum represented 69% of its available 5G capacity. 

-SRG made note that a recent software update to the Galaxy S22 smartphones that it used in testing allowed the use of AT&T’s new 3.45 GHz spectrum for aggregation with other bands.

 

 

Links to this Report: https://signalsresearch.com/issue/srgs-super-bowl-scouting-report-of-lte-and-5g-cellular-capacity/

Very cool!

[RedSpark]

There's so much great detail on the carrier builds in this Light Reading piece:

"The firm reported that AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon each offered both 4G LTE and 5G signals, and that roughly 75% of the operators' collective capacity was allotted to 5G. However, each operator leveraged their own unique spectrum holdings."

Verizon:

Verizon deployed around 20MHz of 3.5GHz CBRS spectrum for its 4G LTE network. Verizon also deployed the most extensive millimeter wave (mmWave) network in and around the venue.

T-Mobile:

The analysts recorded a total of 140MHz of 2.5GHz spectrum deployed at State Farm Stadium. Also mentioned in a recent press release.

AT&T:

The analysts reported that AT&T's 5G network stretched across spectrum bands including mmWave, C-band and 3.45 GHz. See this FierceWireless piece where AT&T said it had about 200 mmWave nodes in/around the stadium. Also mentioned was portable equipment such as COLTs. However, they're not yet deploying 3.45GHz to customers in Glendale. Note that spectrum was recently freed in an FCC auction.

Summary:

Verizon offered the most total wireless network capacity. Based on the amount of spectrum they recorded on Verizon's network, the operator's total network capacity reached 45.7 Gbit/s. That's ahead of AT&T's 28.3 Gbit/s and T-Mobile's 35.9 Gbit/s.

________________________________________________

AT&T:

https://www.policemag.com/655345/att-firstnet-readies-super-bowl-lvii-communications

Verizon:

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-football-fan-experience-super-bowl-lvii

Throughout State Farm Stadium, Verizon’s customers will be served with a highly complex and sophisticated in-building network, providing game-changing performance for fans to capture and share every important moment of the game when connected. In total, there are 490 5G nodes in the stadium, 1400 4G and 5G antennas under the seats throughout the stadium and eight Matsing balls, including four above the 50 yard line and four in the end zone. Additionally, around the stadium and in the Westgate Entertainment District across from the stadium, there are 90 4G nodes and 180 5G nodes for additional coverage and capacity. We encourage Verizon customers attending the game with a 5G compatible device and a 5G Ultra Wideband plan to disable Wi-Fi capabilities for the optimal network experience on Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband. Read more about all of the Verizon enhancements in State Farm Stadium and surrounding Phoenix area.

Verizon is telling people to turn off their Wi-Fi....

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/speed-february-10-2023

Two questions:

Which carrier will have the most data usage at the Super Bowl on Sunday?

Which team will win? 🏈😎

[RedSpark]

Much more detail in this FierceWireless article: https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/5g-drives-network-capacity-super-bowl-srg

 

For AT&T (90%) and T-Mobile (97%), their mid-band 5G assets account for at least 90% of their total 5G capacity. For Verizon, the percentage was only 29%, and that’s because it uses so much mmWave, which represented 69% of available 5G capacity, according to SRG. The analyst firm also came across some AT&T mmWave sites. None of SRG’s analysis includes in-building mmWave assets; all of this analysis was done outside the stadium.

......

SRG used a combination of a Rohde & Schwarz TSMA scanner and three Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphones to obtain information about LTE and 5G network deployments in the area around the stadium. Since the measurements were taken in mid-January, it doesn’t account for temporary equipment like cells on wheels (COWs) that operators bring in.

 

 

[RedSpark]

Numbers coming in:

Verizon

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-customers-make-60-super-bowl-lvii-attendees

Game day facts

- 60% of the 67,827 attendees used Verizon’s wireless network, equivalent to the 2022 game.

- On game day, Verizon fans used 47.8TB of data in and around the stadium, the equivalent of a single user binge watching HD video for more than three years.

- The data usage by Verizon customers was up 57% over the 30.4TB used at Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

- The biggest spikes of wireless data usage occurred during:

—> The halftime show

—> At kickoff with fans streaming video and web browsing

- Verizon customers benefited from super-fast speeds in the stadium1:

—> Peak: Download speed 4,200Mbps, Upload speed 324Mbps

—> Median: Download speed 2,300Mbps, Upload speed 71Mbps

- Verizon’s team of 100 engineers, nearly 2X the size of an NFL team roster, staffed Verizon’s Network Command Center 24x7 to help ensure a reliable network experience for fans, first responders and public safety teams.

AT&T

https://about.att.com/story/2023/big-game-highlights.html

Whether wearing green or red at this year’s Big Game in Glendale, Arizona, fans on AT&T got the win – breaking data records with 21 TB of data usage. All the selfies, halftime livestreams and social posts increased AT&T 5G data usage by 81% over last year’s Big Game.

Check out our post-game 5G stat sheet:

The Big Game was nothing less than super. Here’s some additional highlights:

• AT&T fans were clearly excited to be at this momentous event as they used 9 TB of data while tailgating and entering the stadium.
• The Big Game’s 3rd quarter clearly had fans nervously watching the game with the lowest usage of 1 TB, but as the game intensified, they were back to posting and live streaming with 3 TB during the 4th quarter.

[RedSpark]

Waiting for numbers from T-Mobile. Found this in the meantime.

[mikejeep]

15 hours ago, RedSpark said:

Waiting for numbers from T-Mobile. Found this in the meantime.

The reply regarding the results showing on the phones in the photo is pretty funny..

[RedSpark]

On 2/15/2023 at 12:16 AM, mikejeep said:

The reply regarding the results showing on the phones in the photo is pretty funny..

Perhaps it explains why T-Mobile still hasn't released Super Bowl data usage figures yet? Nothing on their Blog. Nothing in the news. (At least not that I could find....)

It's very odd that they haven't released this information.

[RedSpark]

Interesting news on T-Mobile’s prep for the Super Bowl and how it compares to the Las Vegas Grand Prix:

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-shifts-f1-grand-prix-role-overdrive

In preparation for the Super Bowl, which will be held for the first time in Las Vegas in February, T-Mobile plans to deploy permanent small cells in areas immediately outside the stadium to better serve tailgaters and fans around the stadium. T-Mobile doesn’t expect to deploy COWs like it is for F1 as its macro network will be able to support customer demand for the Super Bowl. 

[RedSpark]

More info here: https://dasgroupprofessionals.com/verizon-and-t-mobile-say-yes-to-major-connectivity-enhancements-at-allegiant-stadium/

Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, is getting a major upgrade to its wireless network, delivering even faster and higher quality service to its fans in and around Allegiant Stadium. The venue-owned Distributed Antenna System (DAS) will provide another generation of enhancements to its already seamless service that supports fan calls, texts, uploads and downloads. The first on to the system are Verizon and T-Mobile, offering their subscribers superior connectivity during the biggest game of 2024, in February.