“Our network teams have been working extremely long and hard on this giant jewel of wireless network technology,” said Frank Wise, Florida executive network director.  ”This is a big moment for our technicians and a great moment for wireless customers in South Florida.”

The building was designed to accommodate large-scale expansion of the Verizon network as needed and to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. The facility also has the capacity to handle tens of millions of daily voice calls and wireless data transmissions such as text, photo and video messages; downloads of games, music and other applications; uploads to social media sites; Web surfing; and more.

“South Florida is one of the most dynamic and demanding markets in the nation, with millions of highly mobile tech-savvy customers squeezed along a coast,” said Pam Tope, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless.  ”We built this switch to ensure our customers have the most reliable, advanced coverage and services today and for decades to come.”

In the past year, the company has spent $240 million in Florida on network enhancements.

Later this year, Verizon Wireless plans to launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless services in 25 to 30 markets nationally.

The upgrades will mean the network can handle twice the capacity of the most powerful mobile cell sites typically deployed at large special events such as this.

“South Florida hosts many professional and college championships, big games and other major gatherings,” said Pam Tope, president of the Verizon Wireless Florida region. “We made this investment to ensure that we always have a strong wireless network for visiting fans, journalists and local wireless users whenever there is a big event.”

In addition to the new system, Verizon Wireless also has teamed with Qualcomm on a brand new technology to optimize network performance during the Feb. 7 game. Qualcomm’s Engineering Services Group developed a new technology to address the special technical challenges of a wireless network serving a large number of users in a small geographic area.

“The new stadium system and our initiative with such a strong teammate as Qualcomm are the high-tech highlights of this total effort,” Tope said. “Our game plan has many components to deliver strong performance during special events – and every day.”

The work is part of Verizon Wireless’ overall continuing effort to enhance its wireless 3G network. In Florida alone, the company invested $240 million in network improvements during 2009 and more than $2 billion in the state since 2000.