Verizon Wireless Deploys A Third Mobile Cell Site And Three Repeaters To Help Wallow Fire Emergency Crews Make More Calls

CHANDLER, AZ — What/when:
On June 10, 2011, Verizon Wireless deployed a Cell on Wheels (COW) to Reserve, NM to provide wireless coverage and capacity at the Wallow Fire command center in Reserve.  This COW is the third mobile cell site activated this week by the company in support of the wildfire relief effort.  

Additionally, the company boosted wireless calling coverage and capacity by deploying repeaters to the National Guard Armory in Show Low, Ariz.; to the base camp in Eager, Ariz. and to Rose Peak near the base camp at Point of Pines, Ariz. on the San Carlos Indian Reservation. 

Reliability:     
In addition to its fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless’ reputation as the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G wireless network is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures.  This has proven particularly valuable during natural disasters and other emergencies across the country.

Standard Verizon Wireless network-reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations.

Emergency preparedness:

• “We Keep You Connected When You Count on Us the Most” and “Making Wireless Reliable in the West” take viewers to Verizon Wireless cell sites, mobile cell sites, switches and other network operations to show how the company prepares for natural disasters. 
• Tips for preparing disaster communications plans and videos with details about Verizon Wireless’ preparations before, during and after an emergency are available at www.verizonwireless.com/emergencypreparedness. 
• The latest network-related news, information and upgrades are available on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNetwork.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network.  The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit 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.

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