Verizon Wireless Deploys Portable Cell Site to Enhance Coverage For Basketball Fans

Media Contact Info

Patrick Kimball
Patrick.Kimball@verizonwireless.com
713-219-8227

02/12/2008

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Verizon Wireless is bringing a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) to the New Orleans Arena to provide Verizon Wireless customers with increased network coverage during this weekend’s big game.

Verizon Wireless works year-round to expand coverage, increase capacity and strengthen the quality of its wireless network to ensure it is the MVP when it comes to handling the increased call volumes that occur around special events such as this weekend’s match-up of basketball’s biggest stars.

A COLT is a fully functional, mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity in a given area, thereby enabling thousands of extra calls to take place concurrently on the network, all in an attempt to make sure calls go through on the first try and are not disconnected mid-sentence.

Not only can a COLT enhance service surrounding large-scale events, it can also be used in times of disaster. Verizon Wireless’ COLTs can be rolled into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network capacity, such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Verizon Wireless has invested nearly $44 billion since it was formed – $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. In 2007 alone, Verizon Wireless invested more than $64 million to expand and advance its Louisiana network.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.