Verizon Wireless "Beefs Up" Wireless Capacity, Invests More Than $2 Million To Prepare For Republican National Convention In New York City

NEW YORK CITY, NY — As New York City plans for four days of street closings, traffic shifts and tightened security during the Republican National Convention (RNC), Verizon Wireless already has invested more than $2 million to enhance its network to handle the expected increase in wireless voice and data calls by Convention goers, tourists, the media and local residents.

The company has activated two new cell sites to increase capacity in and around Madison Square Garden and added capacity in all Midtown cell sites to accommodate increased cell phone usage on the RNC convention floor, local streets, in hotels and restaurants in the area, and to enhance wireless voice and data coverage for reporters. Many members of the media will rely on high-speed wireless data services to access e-mail and file reports and stories from the Convention.

In addition, the company has added a repeater, which boosts signal strength inside buildings, at the RNC headquarters to handle the anticipated increase in wireless calls. A Verizon Wireless technical expert will staff the convention command center 'round the clock and mobile cell sites, called COWs for "Cell On Wheels," will be available to provide increased capacity, if needed. Backup power at cell sites and in switching offices will be ready for use in an emergency.

Verizon Wireless invests more than $1 billion in its network every 90 days to provide customers with the most extensive wireless voice and data network in the United States. The anticipated surge in voice and data usage by RNC visitors, New York City commuters and visiting media representatives has Verizon Wireless planning for a very busy week in late August.

"We've made equipment upgrades and added capacity to stay ahead of the demand for our network during the convention, and we're well prepared to maintain superior quality in our network performance," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 40 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.

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