More capacity in more places

Network engineers have added 500 percent more wireless voice and data capacity throughout Washington D.C., including at Dulles International Airport, Union Station, and at local hotels and convention centers.

Testing, and re-testing the network

Teams of engineers equipped with hand-held test equipment are walking the Mall and most-densely populated neighborhoods of the nation’s capital throughout the festivities to monitor the network in real-time so changes can be made quickly as needed.

The most connected Inauguration in U.S. history

For President Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, only 10 percent of the U.S. population used a smartphone. Today, 88 percent of Americans own smartphones and more than 95 percent of Verizon’s data traffic runs on its 4G LTE network, which launched nationwide about two years after that first inauguration.

“We’ve been preparing our network in the D.C. area for months to be ready for this historic event. Verizon customers at the inauguration will be using Instagram, SnapChat, and Twitter to share photos and videos of the swearing in ceremony, run Facebook Live while attending the parade, and connect with folks back home, all from their wireless devices,” added Palmer.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: Video of the Matsing Ball technology, engineers preparing the network, and additional still images are available via this link: https://www.webcargo.net/l/sjCY95z7tc/