Verizon Wireless is in the process of deploying 400 small cells in San Francisco before the Super Bowl next year, which will be hosted in the bay front metro.
In a recent interview with a local ABC affiliate, Verizon Wireless engineering director Jacob Hamilton said the new antennas would provide the data capacity fans wants without detracting from the look of the city of the event.
“I think if you walk down the street, you won’t even notice these,” Hamilton said of the small cells. “Verizon sponsors the Super Bowl. Our name’s going to be all over Super Bowl City, our network has to perform great. In some areas where speeds weren’t good before, you’re going to notice a difference.”
This particular small cell deployment is largely reliant on street pole placement. According to Hamilton, each pole will support two Ericsson micro radio units and one small antenna measuring roughly 2 feet by 15 inches or less. One radio will support Verizon Wireless’ 1.7/2.1 GHz frequency band and one will support the 1.9 GHz frequency band. At 5 watts per channel, the radios require less power and space than those used in traditional cell sites.
In addition to the small cells, Verizon Wireless is also deploying distributed antenna systems in the western part of the city in partnership with Crown Castle.
