Wireless carriers boost capacity for NATO

The combination of dignitaries and protesters means a lot more people reaching for their cellphones.

AT&T is beefing up its network capacity, and unlike some other NATO-related goodies that will leave town with the heads of state, the extra coverage at McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency and J.W. Marriott hotels will remain. AT&T already is rolling in portable cellphone towers, or COWs (industry-speak for cell on wheels), at Grant Park and Daley Plaza. It's also putting up additional antennae to boost coverage inside McCormick Place and at the Hyatt Regency and J.W. Marriott hotels. Chicago-based U.S. Cellular also added capacity to its network to accommodate the expected spike in wireless usage during the summit. Verizon Wireless said it has taken measures to meet anticipated demand but declined to discuss capacity changes around the summit, citing security concerns. Sprint has added a mobile cell site near McCormick Place, as well as additional capacity inside the convention hall and four other buildings in the area.