T-Mobile Invests in the Wireless Network at Kyle Field
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced a partnership Tuesday that will provide enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity as well as cellular services at Kyle Field.
Bellevue, Washington-based T-Mobile becomes the third major wireless carrier to contract with The Texas A&M University System to improve game-day service for their customers. Under the agreement, T-Mobile will pay $3.5 million to be a part of the Corning ONEtm fiber network installed within Kyle Field during this initial five-year contract, Chancellor Sharp said.
“I am glad to add T-Mobile to our team of providing speedy and reliable service at Kyle Field,” Chancellor Sharp said. “Now, even more of our faithful fans in the stadium will be able to tap into a powerful network and easily send out great news about Aggie football.”
T-Mobile US, Inc., known as America’s Un-carrier, is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The company’s advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to 71.5 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS.
The renovation of Kyle Field, which was completed in 2015, included a new data network that allows for extraordinarily high usage of data of all kinds, including points of sale at the concession stands, text messages from fans’ phones and video streaming. The network allows more than 100,000 people to make calls, send texts or access in-game apps simultaneously.
Phillip Ray, vice chancellor of Business Affairs for the Texas A&M University System, said that Chancellor Sharp empowered his team to build a state-of-the-art facility – one that would rival or surpass professional football stadiums and enhance Kyle Field’s already legendary game-day experience.
“He wanted iconic Kyle Field to have the most-connected fans anywhere in the country, and having T-Mobile come aboard in such a significant way clearly affirms that the Corning ONE Wireless platform is indeed delivering just that,” Vice Chancellor Ray said.
Before the overhaul of Kyle Field, Chancellor Sharp had promised the most state-of-the-art data network in all of college sports. And by the time the two-year renovation was complete, the stadium had set a standard that many college and pro teams now are trying to replicate.
The Corning ONEtm fiber network, which was installed in Kyle Field by IBM, represents Corning Optical’s commitment to creating a bolder, brighter broadband future by providing fans the first large-scale, all-optical solution for their cellular, Wi-Fi and Ethernet needs.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 150,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $972 million in FY 2016 and helped drive the state’s economy.
Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell
lcopelin@tamus.edu