Verizon returns to Super Bowl to spotlight new 5G Internet expansion

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon announces the launch of the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, a mobile experience designed to enhance engagement during the Halftime Show. Notable highlights include Jim Carrey's return as 'The Cable Guy' in an advertisement promoting 5G Home and 5G Business Internet. Verizon has invested $119 million to upgrade infrastructure in Los Angeles. This event will utilize 360-degree cameras streaming in 4K, allowing fans unique access. Verizon is also committed $1 million to educational initiatives in the local community.

Positive

• Launch of a unique mobile experience for the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
• Investment of $119 million for infrastructure improvements in Los Angeles.
• Access to real-time streaming with 360-degree cameras in 4K.
• Expansion of 5G Home Internet to 20 million families and 5G Business Internet to 2 million businesses.
• $1 million commitment to education in partnership with USC.

Negative

• None.

The “Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband” is a first-of-its-kind second screen mobile experience offering unprecedented access to the most anticipated Halftime Show ever

What you need to know:

• Jim Carrey will reprise his role as “The Cable Guy” in Verizon’s in-game commercial, giving a huge platform to 5G Home and 5G Business Internet, view tease here
• The “Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband” is a first-of-its-kind mobile experience offering unprecedented access to the most anticipated Pepsi Halftime ever
• Verizon makes $119 million long-term investment throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood in preparation for the big game at SoFi Stadium
  

NEW YORK, Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon, an Official Technology Partner and the Official 5G Network of the NFL, returns to the Super Bowl for the fifth consecutive year with an in-game advertisement. Jim Carrey will reprise his role as “The Cable Guy” and give a huge platform to Verizon’s new 5G Home Internet and 5G Business Internet offerings, including the speed and bandwidth to connect TVs, tablets, phones, gaming consoles and more to Verizon’s ultra-fast and reliable network, view tease here.

5G Home is now available to 20 million people and 5G Business Internet is available to two million more businesses around the country.

Powered by the recent expansion of 5G Ultra Wideband to more than 100 million people¹ in the United States, the company will also showcase the speed and power of its 5G network throughout the game broadcast - from the on-field action to immersive mobile access to the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show ever.

The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show will be streamed in real-time by the Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband network, enabling this one-of-a-kind experience to take place. With the addition of strategically placed 360-degree cameras streaming in 4K throughout the stadium, field, and stage, fans will be able to curate their own second screen experience with access to exclusive vantage points not accessible on television. To gain access to the experience, consumers can enter the “Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband” through the Pepsi Halftime mobile app to instantly feel transported into the show itself – at home or watching with friends.

“The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband is so much more than just a second-screen experience, it lets fans feel as though they are on stage with the artists,” said Diego Scotti, CMO, Verizon. “Utilizing 5G Ultra Wideband technology and in close partnership with Pepsi, Roc Nation and the NFL, we are able to enhance one of the most-watched events of the year, in a way that’s never been done before, opening the doors for the future of live events.”

“This year’s Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show performance is already among the most anticipated of all time, so we wanted to provide fans with an unprecedented level of access. Since most people already consume content on their mobile devices while watching the game on TV, we thought it was a great opportunity to create a new, immersive way for fans to experience the performance - as if they were on the stage or in the stadium itself - all from within our Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show mobile app,” said Todd Kaplan, VP of Marketing, Pepsi. “The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass Powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband takes the second screen experience to a whole new level, as it will truly enhance fan engagement and participation, in what will certainly be a performance for the ages!”

In support of Pepsi Halftime headliner Dr. Dre, Verizon is making a $1 million commitment to the University of Southern California's (USC) Iovine and Young Center, a key partner of Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young’s magnet high school (Regional High School #1) which will open in Leimert Park in fall 2022. Verizon’s commitment supports the expansion of the Academy's instructional activities into design, technology and entrepreneurship learning experiences for secondary education students and related professional development opportunities for teachers throughout the Los Angeles metro area. This partnership brings together the Academy’s goal of scaling its educational models and their impact and Verizon’s goal of promoting digital skills training. It also demonstrates Verizon’s commitment to the LA community, where, through its nonprofit partners, it supports 39 Verizon Innovative Learning Schools with over $75 million in market value to help bridge the digital divide in education.

“Verizon's incredible generosity provides the opportunity to create the same impact in arts, technology and the business of innovation at the high school level in South Los Angeles as the Iovine Young Academy did at USC,” said Jimmy Iovine, music entrepreneur and philanthropist. “Verizon's commitment to education has always been impressive, and we're grateful for their support of the Iovine and Young Center.”

5G and the fan experience

Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband will bring fans as close to the game as possible while inside SoFi stadium. Verizon 5G Multi-View in the NFL Ticketholder app will give fans in attendance, with select Android and iOS 5G phones, the opportunity to engage with up to seven different camera angles, project AR overlays of NFL’s Next Gen Stats for players, and access instant replays. Using Verizon 5G Multi-View, fans will never miss a moment of the on-field action, even if they step away from their seat. In addition, NFL Ultra Toss, an interactive mobile game, will also be available in the NFL Ticketholder app with new features that enable players to view scores and compete directly with other fans playing in real-time.

New this year, Verizon has partnered with Snapchat for an exclusive augmented reality (AR) 5G Connected Lens, for fans at SoFi stadium. Fans connected to Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband at the stadium can use Snapchat to join a shared, simultaneous AR experience where they can team up and battle with other groups of fans to take control of a giant virtual airship hovering above the field. Whichever group makes the most noise will “go Ultra” and have a chance to win control of the airship and ultimately win the game.

Network enhancements in SoFi Stadium and surrounding areas

Verizon has made a $119 million long-term investment throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood in preparation for the big game; an investment that will benefit customers living in and traveling to the area well into the future, adding capacity, speed and coverage for residents, businesses and visitors.

As part of that investment, Verizon built 169 new small cells, 4 new macro cell sites, and 24 new in-building systems. These solutions will provide reliable, secure service to visitors attending the game, NFL players and staff, first responders and residents of Los Angeles and Inglewood enjoying all the festivities surrounding the big game and beyond.

​​Public Safety

Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology built for first responders, is working closely with public safety agencies throughout Los Angeles County to help ensure first responders have the reliable connectivity they need to protect fans at the game and those in the local community.

Staffed by technicians and engineers actively monitoring and managing the Verizon network throughout Los Angeles, the Verizon Command Center will also be operating around the clock to help ensure first responders and fans are able to communicate effectively.

Great offers from Verizon to get fans ready for Gameday

Starting Feb. 9 and for a limited time, fans can make sure their phones are protected and powered with 40 percent off a Verizon Tailgate accessory bundle exclusively available in Verizon stores, while supplies last.

The 5G Home and 5G Business Internet experience

For fans at home, having reliable connectivity for the biggest game of the year is a must. With 5G Home Internet, available in select areas, streaming the Super Bowl and commercials is incredibly easy. Set up is plug and play. It’s reliable and fast enough to power devices at home during the game. Customers can connect their TVs, tablets, phones, gaming consoles and more to an ultra-fast and reliable network. 5G Home Internet is 50 percent off for customers on select new Verizon 5G mobile plans, and new internet service plans come with one month on us.² With Verizon Fios Home, 5G Home Internet and LTE Home Internet, Verizon has great options for customers looking for reliable and fast home broadband solutions.

With 5G Business Internet, 5G Business Internet, available in select areas, customers can also experience great performance, reliability and convenience for their businesses. This wireless alternative to cable internet is for businesses of all sizes and includes self setup or professional installation options, multiple pricing and service options, unlimited data, and a 10-year price guarantee³.

Whether fans are at the game or on the go, they can stream, tweet, Snap and share quickly and reliably. At home with 5G Home or on the go for Super Bowl LVI, they can get the most out of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network.

¹5G Ultra Wideband available in 1700+ cities
² 50% off 5G Home internet: Save 50% off 5G Home Internet when you combine your plan with 5G Do More, 5G Play More or 5G Get More plan. Auto Pay and paper-free billing req’d. One month promo credit applied via bill credit over 1-2 billing cycles. Subject to VZW Agmts and credit approval.
³Price guarantee applies to monthly access fee only. Terms and restrictions apply.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contacts:
Katie Magnotta
Katie.Magnotta@verizon.com

Kyle Ragonese
Kyle.Ragonese@verizon.com

FAQ

What is the Verizon Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Ultra Pass?

It's a mobile experience that provides unprecedented access to the Halftime Show using Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband.

How much did Verizon invest for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles?

Verizon made a $119 million long-term investment for infrastructure improvements.

What technology will enhance the Super Bowl Halftime Show viewing experience?

The event will feature 360-degree cameras streaming in 4K, powered by Verizon's 5G network.

Who stars in Verizon's Super Bowl advertisement?

Jim Carrey will reprise his role as 'The Cable Guy' in the in-game commercial.

How many people are covered by Verizon's 5G Home Internet?

5G Home Internet is available to 20 million people across the country.