Phoenix Expands 5G, Connectivity Infrastructure Ahead of Super Bowl 2023

The city of Phoenix is expanding its wireless connectivity infrastructure as it gears up for the hundreds of thousands of visitors anticipated to arrive ahead of Super Bowl 57.

In addition to providing increased network capabilities for visitors, the expanded infrastructure is hoped to facilitate faster communication between emergency departments. 

Speaking at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting in Washington, D.C., Mayor Kate Gallego said there’s been “major upgrades” to the city’s 5G capabilities, as well as cybersecurity boosts to protect applications such as mobile ticketing and video-streaming software. 

Verizon has been selected as the network provider, and the company says it will be providing an operations center previously used to assist with refugee-processing in Virginia and hurricane relief in Florida. The network bumps emergency services and personnel to the top of the network to ensure they are always contactable even when the network is at capacity.

“Our goal is to design the best possible fan experience,” said Gary Bailey, Verizon director of network experience. “Anywhere you go in the stadium, inside, outside, every level, suites, you name it – we're here to make sure it all works perfect for the big day.”

The network expansion covers not just the stadium but also the entire downtown area of the city. 

Related:Waymo Offers Fans Driverless Rides at Super Bowl 2023

“We have a history of putting on Super Bowls here in the valley,” said Jennifer Weaver, Verizon’s principal engineer of network engineering. “So, this is not our first time, but this command center is really just amped up so much more for Super Bowl 57, and the data and the information that's coming out of here is truly remarkable.”

This is not the only example of the city’s technology deployments, with the launch of an autonomous shuttle service from Waymo, which will ferry visitors from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and downtown.