Verizon enhances next gen network, increases wireless data capacity 500% as DC prepares for Donald Trump Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With an anticipated one million or more attendees expected to be in the nation’s capital for the Presidential Inauguration, Verizon has made significant network enhancements, leading to a 500 percent increase in wireless data capacity and debuting new technologies.

New self-optimizing technologies

• For the first time, the Network team is using Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) antennas to remotely change antenna angles. In addition, we are using Matsing Ball technology, which divides crowds into sectors like slices of a pie.  Each slice or sector can be adjusted individually to handle wireless traffic.
• We’re using new technology in our temporary cell sites along the National Mall that allow Network engineers to make real-time adjustments, moving wireless capacity with the crowds as they move. For the first time, the Network team is using Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) antennas to remotely change antenna angles. In addition, we are using Matsing Ball technology, which divides crowds into sectors like slices of a pie.  Each slice or sector can be adjusted individually to handle wireless traffic.
• All permanent cell sites around the Mall and the surrounding area have been upgraded with Electrical Tilt antennas to allow remote adjustment to boost coverage and capacity – so DC residents and visitors will benefit for years to come.
• We’re using three-channel carrier aggregation (LTE Advanced) in the Washington metro area to enhance peak data speeds. This is a further enhancement to the nationwide August rollout of two-channel aggregation, providing 50% greater peak speeds in DC and across the country (to more than 90% of the population).

“Verizon customers attending the Inauguration will have early access to these new technological advancements we are deploying widely throughout our network in 2017,” said Nicola Palmer, Chief Network Officer for Verizon Wireless. “Our customers have always had the leading technologies first, providing them with the best experience.

More capacity in more places

Network engineers have added 500 percent more wireless voice and data capacity throughout Washington D.C., including at Dulles International Airport, Union Station, and at local hotels and convention centers.

Testing, and re-testing the network

Teams of engineers equipped with hand-held test equipment are walking the Mall and most-densely populated neighborhoods of the nation’s capital throughout the festivities to monitor the network in real-time so changes can be made quickly as needed.

The most connected Inauguration in U.S. history

For President Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, only 10 percent of the U.S. population used a smartphone.  Today, 88 percent of Americans own smartphones and more than 95 percent of Verizon’s data traffic runs on its 4G LTE network, which launched nationwide about two years after that first inauguration.

“We’ve been preparing our network in the D.C. area for months to be ready for this historic event. Verizon customers at the inauguration will be using Instagram, SnapChat, and Twitter to share photos and videos of the swearing in ceremony, run Facebook Live while attending the parade, and connect with folks back home, all from their wireless devices,” added Palmer.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: Video of the Matsing Ball technology, engineers preparing the network, and additional still images are available via this link: https://www.webcargo.net/l/sjCY95z7tc/