Cricket launches service in Chicago convention hall

MetroPCS and Cricket launch service in new markets this year, but we’ve yet to see an expansion quite like Cricket’s latest. This one involves an indoor network at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the nation’s largest convention center (at least according to the press release). It sees more than three million people pass through its halls each year for various conventions, so Cricket is obviously catering to quite the crowd here. But with Cricket’s regional nature, are they really better off with an indoor network at a site which hosts mostly out-of-towners? This paragraph from the release sums it up, in a way:

Since demand for wireless services has skyrocketed across the country, enterprise customers and wireless carriers are interested in indoor DAS networks that can expand the reach of conventional cell sites by using discrete indoor antennas – or by using ExteNet’s proprietary wireless-over-HVAC (heating, ventilating & air conditioning) technology. Indoor DAS solutions have been installed by ExteNet Systems in suburban corporate campuses, downtown high-rises, hospitals and other health facilities, and institutions of higher education. This is especially important as nearly 80 percent of mobile phone calls in the United States either originate or terminate inside buildings.

This would seem to make more sense for a nationwide carrier like Verizon or AT&T, because those traveling from other parts could use the service. Because of Cricket’s limited number of markets, visitors might not get as much use out of the network. Or am I misunderstanding? Will this just amplify any existing cellular signal? In any case, Jon Davis, VP of Inbuilding Solution for ExteNet, noted that it will “provide coverage in the operations and office space for McCormick Place employees.” So there’s one benefit. It all still sounds a bit confusing. Can anyone clarify?]]>