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Texans Block Access to Cell Phone Carriers Other Than Verizon

Runner

Runner

Hubcap Diamond
Staff member
Double Barrel said:
One of the smartest things Bob has ever done. :spin:
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Leverage is great. As a sponsor of the Texans, it appears Verizon blocks high speed wireless access to AT&T in the stadium. I wanted to track my fantasy team during the game but couldn't. Surprisingly, that action by Verizon and the Texans didn't leverage me into going out and getting a Verizon phone! In fact, it makes me dislike Verizon somewhat. Go figure.

It didn't do much for my evaluation of that "great game day expereince" the Texans tout either.
 
Runner said:
Leverage is great. As a sponsor of the Texans, it appears Verizon blocks high speed wireless access to AT&T in the stadium. I wanted to track my fantasy team during the game but couldn't. Surprisingly, that action by Verizon and the Texans didn't leverage me into going out and getting a Verizon phone! In fact, it makes me dislike Verizon somewhat. Go figure.

It didn't do much for my evaluation of that "great game day expereince" the Texans tout either.
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Dude, I was wondering about that!! I was with Sprint last year and got a great signal outside of the stadium but couldn't even get one bar inside it. Now it makes sense! BOOOO!
 
Last Sunday was the first time I've had major trouble getting signal with Sprint. It's always somewhat iffy but last week it was receive only. No sending.
 
Double Barrel said:
Dude, I was wondering about that!! I was with Sprint last year and got a great signal outside of the stadium but couldn't even get one bar inside it. Now it makes sense! BOOOO!
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I could receive calls and text, but no internet access via the higher speed wireless. It went out as I approached the stadium. I tracked it leaving and it came back on 30-50 yards away. It came back full bore and had a high speed, so it wasn't because of the crowd creating too many users.

I may need to to start a thread...
 
This is just another thing added on top of the others that are making me dislike the Texans as a business entity. I still enjoy the team, but they won't get anymore money from me.
 
Runner said:
Leverage is great. As a sponsor of the Texans, it appears Verizon blocks high speed wireless access to AT&T in the stadium. I wanted to track my fantasy team during the game but couldn't. Surprisingly, that action by Verizon and the Texans didn't leverage me into going out and getting a Verizon phone! In fact, it makes me dislike Verizon somewhat. Go figure.

It didn't do much for my evaluation of that "great game day expereince" the Texans tout either.
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I wondered what was going on when I tried to look at my team as well as check ESPN scoreboard and box scores. I will just have to adjust because I will continue to be an AT&T customer.
 
StarStruck said:
I wondered what was going on when I tried to look at my team as well as check ESPN scoreboard and box scores. I will just have to adjust because I will continue to be an AT&T customer.
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I was trying to check my ff on my iPhone. I had to resort to checking with my friend's Blackberry, which made it very clear why iPhones are better for fun stuff involving the web. Nice sales job, Verizon!
 
Yup. I so want to sign up for text alerts from HoustonTexans.com but cannot. They only send them to Verizon customers. I'm with T-Mobile and don't really have too much choice on which carrier to use because of the goodies that I require to make life easier on me known as the Sidekick. No, I don't use the Sidekick but my better half does.

Whatever happened to "No purchase necessary."
 
Runner said:
I could receive calls and text, but no internet access via the higher speed wireless. It went out as I approached the stadium. I tracked it leaving and it came back on 30-50 yards away. It came back full bore and had a high speed, so it wasn't because of the crowd creating too many users.

I may need to to start a thread...
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I use AT&T. I am able to send and receive tweets within the stadium but the coverage is spotty. That is through my internet.

I've heard that some public facilities get overloaded with internet traffic.

Do you know if blocking non-verizon cell reception is an official policy?
 
I didn't think it was legal to block cell phone signals. Isn't the State of Texas having an issue right now about possibly wanting to block cell phone signals in prisons...and they can't do it legally?

I could not get any signal inside the stadium on my iPhone. Not for calls...not for internet...nothing.

Steph...with you being a lawyer...could you find out what the truth is on this topic?
 
Texans_Chick said:
I use AT&T. I am able to send and receive tweets within the stadium but the coverage is spotty. That is through my internet.

I've heard that some public facilities get overloaded with internet traffic.

Do you know if blocking non-verizon cell reception is an official policy?
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This was not spotty coverage but it just stopped working, except for the low bandwidth voice call and texting functions. I tried from my seat and the outer edges of the stadium as well. I couldn't use my broadband until I was outside the stadium, near to where I lost it coming in, and I was checking constantly as I walked out. Once I reached this point I had strong, fast access although the crowd had not yet thinned.

I talked to some other people and was told that AT&T blocks other carriers in Cleveland's stadium and Nextel blocks at NASCAR events. Given that others have had the same experience within Reliant, I assume it is intentional to support the sponsor. I doubt this is a policy they publicize. The people with Verizon phones that I was with had no problems anywhere. It was just those of us with other carrriers.

The evidence points me to a conclusion it is on purpose.
 
Runner said:
This was not spotty coverage but it just stopped working, except for the low bandwidth voice call and texting functions. I tried from my seat and the outer edges of the stadium as well. I couldn't use my broadband until I was outside the stadium, near to where I lost it coming in, and I was checking constantly as I walked out. Once I reached this point I had strong, fast access although the crowd had not yet thinned.

I talked to some other people and was told that AT&T blocks other carriers in Cleveland's stadium and Nextel blocks at NASCAR events. Given that others have had the same experience within Reliant, I assume it is intentional to support the sponsor. I doubt this is a policy they publicize. The people with Verizon phones that I was with had no problems anywhere. It was just those of us with other carrriers.

The evidence points me to a conclusion it is on purpose.
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Mine still barely worked all the way out in the Yellow Lot...
 
Texans_Chick said:
I use AT&T. I am able to send and receive tweets within the stadium but the coverage is spotty. That is through my internet.

I've heard that some public facilities get overloaded with internet traffic.

Do you know if blocking non-verizon cell reception is an official policy?
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I would find it hard to believe if there is an official policy. It's all about the wording in their ads.

http://www.houstontexans.com/fanzone/VerizonWirelessTextAlerts.asp

They're definitely protecting their interests here with Verizon being a bigger customer than the masses.
 
So it's not that their "blocking" cell access, its just that the only provider available inside the stadium with the capacity to handle the masses is Verizon.
 
Interesting. Cell phone jamming is apparently illegal, although it isn't enforced. There is also some question to what cell phone jamming is. If you block 3G access but allow voice, is the phone jammed?

So: are they or aren't they?

I haven't found much specific info on the web yet.
 
Stemp said:
So it's not that their "blocking" cell access, its just that the only provider available inside the stadium with the capacity to handle the masses is Verizon.
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Except in Cleveland, where only AT&T can handle it.

Funny how everyone else can handle the masses in the parking lot immediately before and after the game.
 
I honestly do not see how this is promoting using Verizon. All it makes me want to do is avoid them. I won't give them my personal or business patronage after reading (and experiencing) this ****. Honestly all this does is piss me off and make me hate them. As if we don't already pay enough to even go to the game and support our team, now we have to get McNair's corporate sponsor for our every day cell usage as well, just so we can experience what every other Houstonian in the city with any provider they choose can? Really? Jeebus this burns my ass.
 
I hate the signal in Reliant.

I always want to text people about the game or meet up with people and it is always so difficult.

Create a solution Texans not build on the problem!
 
Runner said:
Interesting. Cell phone jamming is apparently illegal, although it isn't enforced. There is also some question to what cell phone jamming is. If you block 3G access but allow voice, is the phone jammed?

So: are they or aren't they?

I haven't found much specific info on the web yet.
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There is a neighborhood in San Antinio that is jammed by the military and the people have to use landlines for all calls.
 
Runner said:
Interesting. Cell phone jamming is apparently illegal, although it isn't enforced. There is also some question to what cell phone jamming is. If you block 3G access but allow voice, is the phone jammed?

So: are they or aren't they?

I haven't found much specific info on the web yet.
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freaking double post
 
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It may not be actual blocking. It may be that the only company allowed to put a relay tower within the stadium is Verizon. In a virtually enclosed tall metal and concrete structure, that could easily explain why owners of other carrier cell phones have varying degree though across the board poor or nonexistent service (but decent outside perimeter of the stadium reception).
 
I have NEVER been able to get any sort of AT&T service in or around Reliant. No texts, no calls, no 3G...nothin'. So frustrating.
 
I have a feeling that this is something new because I know that I have used my AT&T phone at Reliant in previous years. However, this year, I haven't been able to get any service. I switched phones this year, but not providers.
 
I've had T-Mobile since before 2002. I've never been able to get service inside the stadium. It really sucks. :/
 
StarStruck said:
I have a feeling that this is something new because I know that I have used my AT&T phone at Reliant in previous years. However, this year, I haven't been able to get any service. I switched phones this year, but not providers.
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Maybe I just had a crappy phone in years past. That's a possibility.
 
perhaps the local hub is just maxed out with so many people using their phones at the same time in the same area?
 
I have had issues with AT&T there since I switched to the iPhone, but that is my own fault being an Apple guy since the IIe.
 
Vinny said:
perhaps the local hub is just maxed out with so many people using their phones at the same time in the same area?
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It stopped at 11:50 when I entered the stadium and started when I walked out after the game. The load wasn't that different.

============

I have a neighbor who is a telecom exec. I'll ask him. I should have thought of that last night.
 
Lauren said:
I have NEVER been able to get any sort of AT&T service in or around Reliant. No texts, no calls, no 3G...nothin'. So frustrating.
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Hmmm. I am always able to use my At&t phone in Reliant for calls, text, and internet. Now when I try to send mms it takes longer.
 
Did some deep digging. This is the system installed at Reliant.

The Alltel Stadium, located in Jacksonville Florida and home to the Jacksonville Jaguars , is considered one of the most modern and best-equipped in the world. The stadium is the latest in hundreds of structures in which MobileAccess has successfully installed in-building wireless networks. In addition to the Alltel venue, over the past year Mobile Access has installed a similar network at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
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She explained that the MobileAccess broadband network supports both wireless voice and data applications. Instead of installing WiFi access points in drop ceilings, MobileAccess clusters them in telecommunications closets and amplifies the signal, sending it out to passive antennas that radiate the signal throughout a building. "The same effective power, and therefore bandwidth, that existed when the access point was in the ceiling now exists where the antennas are," she told the Post.

The MobileAccess service is modular, so companies can add or subtract features as their needs dictate. "We've found that one of the major factors in evaluating this type of equipment, and where we think we're uniquely positioned, is [companies] want to make sure that not only the cellular, but also the WiFi and WiMax applications that may become available, can be added to the system," she said.
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This modular system is obviously very "versatile" and open to easy manipulation.
 
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