Verizon Wireless Increases Network Capacity For The NFL Draft, Provides Fans With High-Tech Virtual Reality Experience

CHICAGO, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To ensure an optimal customer experience at the 2015 NFL Draft, being hosted in Chicago for the first time in more than 50 years, and to prepare for the large crowds it will attract, Verizon Wireless is amplifying its network in the Grant Park area. In addition, the company is bringing exciting technology to fans to offer them a special NFL experience at multiple locations around town.

The NFL's Draft Town in Grant Park, and the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, which is hosting the Draft itself, will be the epicenter of the NFL for thousands of fans. Verizon is taking a number of steps to ensure fans and NFL executives with teams including Chicago's own Chicago Bears can stay connected with friends and family via calls, texts and social media.

Staying Connected via VerizonThe Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University has been equipped with a temporary in-building DAS (Distributed Antennae System) to ensure all teams can easily communicate as they work to make their draft selections.

Network SupportVerizon has added two 4G LTE Cell on Light Trucks (COLTs) to the Grant Park area to boost coverage capacity. A COLT is a 20,000-pound truck equipped with a 30-foot antenna and back-up generator, operating as a fully functional, mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity in a given area. Additionally, XLTE, which launched in the Chicago area last year, utilizes Verizon's AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum, and allows Verizon to deliver significantly increased capacity – at a minimum, doubling the capacity – over its high-speed 4G LTE network. More customers in high-traffic locations can access the company's most advanced technology at the same time to send photos, download or upload videos, and use the Internet along with other popular applications on their wireless devices during times of peak usage. Another way to think of it: Having access to XLTE is like doubling the number of lanes on a freeway from 10 to 20 and allowing a lot more traffic.

The NFL Draft Town Fan ExperienceVerizon is also bringing the experience of an NFL game to fans at its tent located in the NFL Draft Town and at its Destination Store on Michigan Avenue. At both locations fans can step into a virtual reality helmet and see how it might feel running out of the tunnel at the start of the game, getting pumped with your teammates, to scoring a touchdown via a 360-degree, multi-sensory virtual reality experience. The helmet is powered by the Samsung Gear VR. Check it out Thursday through Saturday.

Chicago Bears Appearing at the Destination StoreAt Verizon's Destination Store (840 N. Michigan Ave.), current Chicago Bear Matt Forte, and former Bear and Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent, will be available to meet with fans and sign autographs on Friday, May 1 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

NFL Mobile Brings Draft to AllFor those who can't visit Draft Town, a Verizon smartphone can provide Draft access on the go. Fans can watch the Draft on the NFL Network via NFL Mobile – a premier feature of the app available exclusively to Verizon customers and available at no additional charge for customers on MORE Everything plans. Data usage applies for app download and use.

For Verizon Wireless Updates on Twitter Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in Illinois by following @MeyerILWI on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MeyerILWI.  For the latest network-related news, information and upgrades, follow @VZWNews on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

About Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.6 million retail customers, including 102.6 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. 

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless