Wireless services also need to be able to detect high-demand ad hoc events, such as major sporting contests, that can put lots of stress on a certain cell in the network. The carriers know that there will be games at Yankee Stadium three times a week during baseball season, so they must take steps to ensure that all of the Yankee fans in attendence have data service and voice service (so they can call their friends in Boston and rub it in if they win).

Using network intelligence software, the operator can collect a lot of information about the cellular data needs of the fans at these games. It can detect how many are using smartphones, how many are streaming video of other major league baseball games, how many are using social networking apps, and how many are just placing voice calls.

Based on this information, the operator can tune its network in the area to accommodate the various user types in attendance. Since operators sometimes don't use all of the wireless spectrum they own, they might divert some into service at the stadium to accommodate the larger-than-usual concentration of subscribers. They can move amplifiers or other infrastructure equipment into the cell, increase the density of cellular radios in the area, and create in and around the stadium to offload some of the data traffic from the cellular network. Perhaps most importantly, they can better prioritize their handling of the various types of data requests coming from users in the stadium, to ensure that network resources are used in the best way possible.

Wireless services also use network intelligence software to help measure the broadband usage of subscribers who have metered data plans. The software informs the carrier's billing system whenever a user goes over the allowable usage limit, triggering a schedule of overage charges.