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Still an epic disaster, mere miles from AT&T's world HQ. No excuse for that.

T mobile. Do it.

No excuse for cellphones to be worthless on gameday. They know about the problem. They choose to do nothing.

Didn't know the athletic department was responsible for cell phone logistics. WiFi also worked fine. Peruna1911

University knows the problem. Wifi doesn't help me make a phone call.

Unless Turner has an Osama bin Laden satellite phone, he can't even make a call.

Awful. And you want fans to come back? Good luck.

I wrote hart an email tonight kind of about this. It was more based on Mob points being impossible to get because no one could get service

Peruna1911 didn't work for me or 2 of my guests. For people who aren't avid fans of .000 football, it's an issue. I actually blame at&t but wish smu would rattle at&t cage about it somehow.

SMU has obviously not planned for having 35k plus in the area on gameday (I'm factoring in those who visit the Boulevard but don't attend the game)

Smu knows,smu athletics wants a change,smu internal politics gets In the way....the it department does not want to get outside help....it's been offered..don't blame the ad and his staff.

newshound wrote:University knows the problem. Wifi doesn't help me make a phone call.

Unless Turner has an Osama bin Laden satellite phone, he can't even make a call.

Awful. And you want fans to come back? Good luck.

With t-mobile I've been able to make wi-fi calls for years. Works great.

Maybe we should stop scheduling good teams so that your AT&T service works better, too.

How else do I post in here during the game without service?


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I checked on this problem last year and it is on the schedule to be upgraded next year as I recall. It affects the sportswriters/media as well.

I thought cell phone towers and the equipment therein were owned and controlled by the cell phone carriers. Can someone explain to me what SMU can do if AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint do not want to provide enough capacity?

San Antonio Mustang wrote:I thought cell phone towers and the equipment therein were owned and controlled by the cell phone carriers. Can someone explain to me what SMU can do if AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint do not want to provide enough capacity?

The carriers will set up temporary "towers" for certain events. If you go to the fair this year, keep an eye out and you'll spot them. Not sure if the event organizers spot the bill for that or if you just have to call the carriers and let them know... but either way, SMU should be working with them on it.

SMU can request AT&T install a DAS system - distributed antenna system at the stadium or bring in temporary antennas during games. Not sure what either one would cost but having 30K concentrated in one area with a majority likely being AT&T subscribers places an overwhelming burden on their nearby tower(s) for what is designed for normal traffic for that area. Installing new towers is not always easy - especially in the area around SMU. Everyone wants good cell service regardless the conditions at the time but people that live nearby don't want to always see additional towers.

A DAS system can be used by other carriers as well but not sure what AT&T charges those carriers for access.

Copied from an article regarding AT&T's DAS installed at Baylor's new stadium and something similar was installed at the former stadium that wasn't as well hidden.

The stadium is also equipped with 486 antennas for an AT&T-powered distributed antenna system, or DAS, to give fans optimal cell phone service and reception from any point in the stadium. AT&T extended offers to other major mobile carriers to use the system, and Verizon has already committed to participate.

I venture to say if an AT&T executive had a son or daughter that attended SMU and he/she went to a number of football games, a deal to resolve the problem would be much more likely.