Houstonians receive improved wireless service in the downtown tunnels thanks to new antenna system resulting from multi-carrier effort

HOUSTON, Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Houstonians working and living downtown can now utilize their wireless devices on a state-of-the-art distributed antenna system (DAS) installed in the underground tunnels. The system, a group of strategically placed antennas throughout the tunnels, is designed to increase capacity and enhance the wireless experience. The DAS was completely funded and installed by the top four wireless providers - the project's lead Verizon, as well as AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.

The DAS drastically improves wireless service along the more than six mile tunnel route, which covers 43 buildings, including office towers, restaurants and retail stores. The thousands of pedestrians who travel through the tunnels daily for business and leisure activities can expect to make and receive calls and text messages, surf the web and access applications with more consistency and faster than before.

Additionally, the wireless carrier team worked with the City of Houston to install a public safety communications system along the same route, which will provide enhanced capabilities, essential to first responders who are navigating emergency situations.

"I want to thank the local wireless carriers for working with us to achieve this technology upgrade," said Mayor Sylvester Turner.  "It is a major public safety improvement that will eliminate dead zones that had hindered radio communications when our police and fire fighters were responding in the tunnels."

Future enhancements are being considered as customers' demand for digital experiences and increased wireless capacity continues in the downtown tunnels.

About Verizon:Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, has a diverse workforce of nearly 162,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, with 113.2 million retail connections nationwide. The company also provides communications and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation's premiere all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.

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About T-Mobile US, Inc.:As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The Company's advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to 67.4 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

About Sprint:Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 59.4 million connections as of June 30, 2016 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the past five years. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About AT&T:AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high-speed Internet and voice services. We're the world's largest provider of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. We offer the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider*. And we help businesses worldwide serve their customers better with our mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.

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*Global coverage claim based on offering discounted voice and data roaming; LTE roaming; voice roaming; and world-capable smartphone and tablets in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier. International service required.  Coverage not available in all areas. Coverage may vary per country and be limited/restricted in some countries.

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SOURCE Verizon