Minnesota State Fairgoer's Are Using More Data To Share Their Fair Experience

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- While attendance for the first four days of the Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 21-24) increased slightly by 1.9 percent http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/attendance.html data usage on Verizon's wireless network increased 156 percent compared to the first four days of the 2013 state fair. 

Smartphone toting fairgoers are staying connected and sharing their experiences and the Minnesota State Fair has encouraged the trend with a mobile website and mobile app to help those in attendance navigate this massive event. In addition, most of the vendors are promoting their booths via social media.  

In anticipation of the increased usage, Verizon Wireless boosted its data capacity more than 300 percent for the Minnesota State Fair, which runs through Labor Day and is expected to draw 1.8 million people. Verizon has boosted its network by increasing its deployment of mobile cell sites from four in 2013 to six and adding more 4G LTE data capacity with the addition of its newest XLTE network technology.

XLTE utilizes Verizon's AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum, which allows Verizon to deliver significantly increased capacity over its high-speed 4G LTE network.  This means more customers in high-traffic locations can access the company's most advanced technology at the same time to send photos, download videos, surf the Internet and use other popular applications on their smartphones, tablets and other devices during times of peak usage.

Verizon's Temporary Sites
Verizon added two new small cells which augmented 4G LTE and XLTE data capacity to the Commissary and Food Buildings, while continuing with small cells at the Grandstand and 4H buildings.  Verizon hosts a permanent site at the Minnesota state fairground on the Ag building.

In addition, two temporary cell sites, appropriately named COLT (Cell on Light Truck) and COW (Cell on Wheels) – are stationed at the north and south end of the fairgrounds to add additional voice and data capacity. To make sure everything goes smoothly, network technicians will attend the fair and closely monitor the customer experience.

This investment for the Minnesota State Fair is part of Verizon's ongoing commitment to network reliability and enhanced services. Nationwide, more than 350 of Verizon's 4G LTE 500-plus markets have been enhanced with XLTE, with more scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.  The company consistently earns top rankings from independent consumer reporting and testing institutions for network quality and performance, including in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte and for more on Verizon's Tech Barnyard of mobile network assets visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2014/08/the-tech-barnyard.html.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 104.6 million retail customers, including 98.6 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

SOURCE Verizon Wireless