AT&T to upgrade cellular service at Beaver Stadium

Penn State University’s Board of Trustees Finance and Investment Committee has approved a 10-year agreement with AT&T to upgrade cellular connectivity at Beaver Stadium. The project aims to resolve long-standing issues with slow and erratic service experienced by fans, students, and media during large-scale events.

The new distributed antenna system (DAS) is expected to be fully operational for the 2027 football season, aligning with the completion of the stadium’s $700 million renovation. The upgrade will replace the existing system installed in 2013 by installing approximately three times as many antennas. According to university officials, the improvements will provide five times the current coverage and 18 times the bandwidth capacity.

While the primary rollout is scheduled for 2027, AT&T plans to implement interim improvements and updates during the current season. The service will be available to all mobile carriers, not just AT&T customers. The project also includes the addition of C-band spectrum to enhance network strength, though university officials noted that the agreement does not currently include Wi-Fi upgrades.