Wifi Revolution

AT&T has enhanced its wireless system to bring coverage to in and around the KFC YUM! Center in downtown Louisville.

The KFC Yum! Center is a 22,000-seat basketball and multipurpose arena on the Ohio River waterfront in Louisville, Ky. Major sports competitions, concerts and conventions have added Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center to their list of prime destinations. It is also home to the University of Louisville Cardinals Men's and Women's Basketball programs, NCAA championship events, as well as concerts, circuses, wrestling and boxing matches, and ice shows.

Officials with the arena said that the newly activated wireless system is supposed to help arena guests realize better communication using their cell phones no matter where they are on game or event days. The enhanced wireless coverage would also attract new convention business to the arena.

In order to enhance the coverage, AT&T (News - Alert) installed network equipment on a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to manage available spectrum and increase mobile broadband capacity inside the KFC YUM! Center. Now the network will able to handle large amount of wireless voice and data traffic that usually peaks during basketball games.

AT&T explained that a DAS installation consists of several strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless network coverage throughout the stadium, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas. DAS is built with several features that make it ideal to enhance coverage in places where geographical limitations such as terrain, building construction might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience. At the KFC YUM! Center the DAS offers wireless service throughout all seating areas, the press box, the garage, the luxury suites, concourses and locker rooms.

An official with the University of Louisville asserted that the new wireless system will help University of Louisville fans stay better connected when they're at the KFC YUM! Center.

“These advanced systems will provide our customers with an enhanced mobile experience as they enjoy games and other events,” said Mary Pat Regan, AT&T Kentucky state president. “We are committed to providing superior coverage on AT&T's network for our customers, and are happy to improve their experience at the KFC YUM! Center.”

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