Verizon Wireless customers maximized their experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend by sending pictures, texting, tweeting, talking and accessing the INDYCAR 14 app – all of which generated unprecedented volume over the Verizon Wireless network.

During the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, total customer data usage at the Speedway reached almost 1.5 terabytes, a record for a Verizon IndyCar Series event. The data connection and volume records set on Race Day in 2013 were broken two hours before honorary starter Mark Cuban waved the green flag May 25.

Verizon Wireless installed more than 200 small antennas throughout the Speedway to increase 4G LTE data capacity by 250 percent and deployed XLTE, which delivered faster peak data speeds and a minimum of double the 4G LTE bandwidth.

Additionally, with the INDYCAR 14 app, fans could watch live in-car camera video and listen to driver and pit crew audio and the IMS Radio Network broadcast on their mobile devices. Other features of the app include a real-time leader board with car telemetry and track positioning. 

Verizon Wireless also demonstrated the LTE Multicast, which incorporated the ABC telecast, during “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Large audiences in specific locations that want to watch high-definition video can present a challenge. But with LTE Multicast, a specific channel of spectrum is assigned, making the video experience -- and ultimately the overall wireless experience of others in the same location – high quality.

Cameras deployed trackside, which capture the race cars as they speed around the 2.5-mile oval at more than 225 mph, are combined with in-car cameras for unparalleled views from the drivers’ perspective.

To deliver LTE Multicast on the commercial 4G LTE network, Verizon Wireless uses network equipment from Ericsson. Devices used are enhanced Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphones, featuring Qualcomm’s Multicast-capable chipset and middleware, as well as Sequans demo tablets with Expway middleware.  MobiTV supported the effort with application development, content management and delivery across multiple devices.