Cellular connectivity improvements coming to LaVell Edwards Stadium

During the spring of 2015 the athletic department distributed a Qualtrics online survey to Cougar fans that purchased season or individual football tickets over the past five years. The goal was to identify ways to improve the game-day experience at LaVell Edwards Stadium and other areas of BYU Athletics.

Improve cellular coverage and Internet connectivity at LES

According to the survey results this is an important issue to Cougar fans. The university has been working on this complicated issue for a couple of years. It has been a challenge. The solution is a two-part process that requires two very different resolutions.

1) Improved cellular connectivity — This summer BYU worked closely with the four major carriers in Utah (Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile) to identify cellular reinforcement solutions for LaVell Edwards Stadium. Working with several campus departments, each carrier has determined a solution that works best for their network. The various cellular reinforcement solutions should improve basic cell phone functions such as texting and sending and receiving phone calls. Other functions, such as using mobile apps may or may not work depending upon the users phone and the specific carrier.

The majority of the equipment has been installed and tested, but the true test will come when we have 60,000-plus fans in LES trying to use their cell phones. Sprint and Verizon have installed and tested their cellular reinforcement systems and are set to go for the home season-opener versus Boise State. AT&T and T-Mobile are in the installation phase and should be ready to go by the UConn game on October 2.

There will be growing pains, but the athletic department is committed to improving fan connectivity at the stadium and this is the first step in that process.

2) Wi-Fi solution for LES —Part two of the master plan is to identify a Wi-Fi solution that can accommodate a stadium the size of LaVell Edwards Stadium.

We’ve been carefully studying this issue and looking at potential solutions. It’s a major undertaking, with the biggest challenge being cost. Initial estimates for a comprehensive Wi-Fi solution for LaVell Edwards Stadium could cost upwards of $2 million, a significant investment for a venue that is used 7-8 times a year. We are working with several companies and reviewing various options, but there will not be a Wi-Fi system in place for this season. We are trying to be creative and find a solution for the 2016 season.