Verizon Expanding LTE Voice, Data Service At Candlestick Park

In what is some solid news for ticket-holders heading into Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, Verizon announced yesterday that they are installing a new wireless Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Candlestick Park. This will reportedly improve 4G LTE coverage, capacity and data speeds during peak network usage occasions (e.g. 49ers games). For those with 3G coverage, this improvement should help you as well because 4G is backwards compatible.

According to Verizon spokesperson Heidi Flato, this new system includes multiple antennas installed throughout the stadium and neighboring parking lots to improve Verizon's network coverage and capacity in the area. Unfortunately this will likely only benefit those on Verizon, as opposed to other carriers. Other services are part of the DAS system, but they need to specifically activate it (some may have). I'll try and get some more details on this. Editor's Note: Looks like Sprint joined in as well (from older press release).

If you have never been to Candlestick Park, cell coverage can be atrocious during games. I can generally text, but getting on the Internet and trying to tweet out pictures and comments can be absolutely brutal. I doubt any stadium will be perfect at this point, but improvements are always welcome. As the 49ers continue building their new stadium in Santa Clara, they have made technology a focus. Who knows if it will ever reach perfection with regards to in-stadium data service, but hopefully it will not be too far in the future.