The annual Indy 500 race is set to take place this Sunday (May 24), and the iconic track anticipates large crowds eager to witness the action live. Last year, approximately 350,000 attendees shared a staggering 61TB of data through their mobile connections.
In preparation for this year's event, Verizon has dedicated months to upgrading the 5G infrastructure at the track, resulting in a remarkable 400% increase in bandwidth.
Understanding the need for efficient connectivity, Verizon has established 33 specialized small cells at the main gates to facilitate quick access for attendees loading their digital tickets on mobile devices—a crucial consideration given the number of visitors at the venue.
Covering 559 acres (2.3 square kilometers), the track is now equipped with 240 5G mmWave nodes, 219 high-capacity antennas, and upgraded local cell towers meeting the latest 5G standards.
Real-world testing prior to the event has demonstrated that the enhanced network can achieve download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps, with potential peaks around 2.5Gbps under optimal conditions.
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