Nebraska Cornhusker football fans enjoy upgraded game day network experience
LINCOLN, NE – University of Nebraska football always draws a crowd on Saturdays, especially during a recent homecoming game against the Michigan State Spartans.
More than 86,000 fans packed Memorial Stadium for the game, according to the University of Nebraska and those fans on Verizon noticed an upgraded experience when using their smartphones. Verizon recently made a significant investment in the stadium's network infrastructure to meet the demand of fans who are more connected than ever.
Verizon’s 2024 Consumer Connections Report shows that video accounts for 25% of consumer data usage at NFL stadiums, demonstrating how much the in-stadium experience hinges on a fast, reliable connection.
To meet this changing way fans watch live sports, Verizon has upgraded and expanded the University of Nebraska Memorial Stadium with 5G Ultra Wideband.
Improved Connectivity
The new network upgrades will allow fans to share their gameday experience with friends and family, whether it’s uploading videos of an incredible play or video calling so they can sing the fight song together.
Brandon Meier, Senior Associate AD for Marketing and Multimedia at the University of Nebraska, said it’s something fans have been asking for in their annual surveys.
“They want to be able to share photos. They want to be able to text. They want to be able to call their babysitter,” said Meier. He stressed that real-time sharing is not only important to the fan experience but it helps grow the university’s brand.
“It’s letting the world know that there's cool things happening here at the stadium, not just letting the world know three hours after the game when they get home,” said Meier.
The Technology Behind the Massive Boost
The key to the upgrade is a new distributed antenna system (DAS) designed to provide noticeable connectivity enhancements.
Verizon more than doubled the amount of antennas inside Memorial Stadium to handle the huge increase in fan mobile data usage.
The upgrades added more capacity and increased 5G coverage throughout the stadium.
New 5G C-band technology has been integrated along with 4G technology to deliver better data speeds.
From Fan Grumbles to Smiles
Verizon’s Associate Director of Network Performance, Chad Loecker, is a Husker fan and season ticket holder. He said the enhanced connectivity has elevated his experience at the stadium, “I can check the scores of other games, pull up highlights and do all of those things. I even streamed part of the Michigan game against OU, while I was at the Husker game.”
Seeing the improved experience brings him a sense of pride. “You see fans look at their devices, smile and then go back to watching the game,” said Loecker.
Beyond the Field and Into the Future
The network enhancements extend beyond the stadium seating bowl. New 5G equipment was deployed near tailgating areas, classrooms, and the student union, ensuring better coverage around campus environment.
The enhanced connectivity also supports important public safety measures, such as the stadium's text messaging system for reporting issues in a section.
“Cell phones aren't going away. Connectivity is not going away,” he said. “We hope that this system helps our fans connect for years to come,” said Meier.
