Verizon, Ericsson Detail LTE Multicast Strategy For Indy 500

As part of its newly signed title sponsorship with the IndyCar racing series, Verizon has formally detailed how it will use LTE Multicast protocol during the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race this Sunday. The carrier will utilize network equipment from Ericsson and customized Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphones with LTE Multicast-capable chipsets along with deploying permanent XLTE-capable femto and microcells throughout the facility to provide Verizon customers enough bandwidth while attending the event.

Ericsson has also confirmed in a separate release that it will also provide the base station equipment necessary for the LTE Broadcast deployment, which will consist of real-time in-car video feeds being delivered throughout the speedway for both fans and the stewards in race control as well as delivering feeds from multiple angles in multiple applications, such as television coverage and Verizon’s exclusive IndyCar ’14 smartphone app that delivers live timing and scoring as well as multiple in-car camera angles and real-time pit crew audio.

This will be the second major application test for the LTE Multicast protocol for Verizon following the Super Bowl last February, however, this will mark the first time that the protocol will be widely deployed and access available to the general public attending the event, as the Super Bowl deployment was limited to selected users away from the game’s actual venue on specifically modified devices and the usage volume will be significantly increased owing to the expected attendance of ~230,000 people.