AT&T Ready To Serve Super Bowl Fans, First Responders

Tampa FL

04 February, 2021

10:23 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — Worried about cell phone or internet service this weekend? In preparation for the big game, AT&T has made a $75 million investment in its network at several sites across the Tampa market over the past 18 months. From above and beyond fan experiences to viral commercials – not to mention a star-studded halftime show – all eyes are on pro football's championship game in Tampa. But as fans gather across the globe to cheer on their team, there's a little-known secret within the first responder community: the big game is really a massive public safety event, especially during a pandemic. Raymond James Stadium in Tampa this Sunday will be about 30 percent full, with 7,500 first responders invited to attend as honored guests. And while that's a big change from the typical packed stadium, pre-game concerts and 5G fan experiences of years past, what doesn't change is public safety's need to be prepared for every eventuality. "That's why, as public safety's network partner, we've spent over a year working hand-in-hand with local, state and federal public safety agencies to make this year's game a success," said Jason Porter, senior vice president, FirstNet Program at AT&T. "And today, we're at public safety's side in Tampa to help ensure they have the communications they need leading up to and during the big game: We've blanketed the Tampa area with Band 14 spectrum. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the federal government specifically for FirstNet. It gives public safety a dedicated lane of connectivity when needed. That's unique in the industry and something public safety won't get anywhere but on the FirstNet network.Our FirstNet Response Operations Group – led by a team of former first responders – is onsite to address public safety's immediate needs. They're staffing the Tampa Emergency Operations Center as well as the EOC inside the stadium on game day. This team is dedicated to working around the clock.In addition to four COWs (Cell on Wheels) to support fan and first responder communications, the FirstNet team has also stationed two dedicated FirstNet SatCOLTs (Satellite Cell on Light Trucks) on "hot-standby" for extra redundancy. That means, in the event of an emergency, these assets quickly provide dedicated FirstNet connectivity to first responders for their critical communications needs."Other improvements include: Installed AT&T 5G (sub-6) across the Tampa market. Implemented AT&T 5G+ (mmWave) at five locations: Raymond James Stadium (inside and parking lots), Tampa International Airport, Downtown Tampa (riverfront and Channel District) and Busch Gardens. New/upgraded Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) at 32 indoor locations (practice facilities, hotels, first responder offices, etc.). "Our team in Tampa has spent the last 18 months enhancing our network to give our customers, whether they live in Tampa or are visiting the area, the best wireless experience," said JR Luna, vice president and general manager for Florida. "We have successfully launched AT&T 5G in the Tampa market as well as delivered super-fast AT&T 5G+ to iconic locations like Raymond James Stadium, Tampa International Airport, Busch Gardens and parts of downtown Tampa. We've also upgraded connectivity at more than two dozen other locations so our customers will get a best-in-class network experience. At AT&T, we're all about creating connections and we're proud to showcase this best in class experience at this year's big game."