MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO:
Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network
WHAT/WHERE:
Verizon Wireless has delivered 25 phones and equipment to the Command Centers in Pueblo and Florence, enabling coordinators and other emergency personnel to communicate with and direct fire-fighting teams
MOBILE CELL SITE FLEET:
Verizon Wireless owns, maintains and deploys a fleet of Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS) and Cells on Wheels (COWS) that can mobilize quickly to provide temporary network facilities and capacity in the event of a natural disaster or other unplanned interruptions of voice and data service. The fleet is on standby to assist Southern Colorado fire-fighting efforts. So far, the existing network, which was recently enhanced with four new cell sites in the Pueblo area, is providing needed coverage.
NETWORK RELIABILITY:
In addition to the fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless' nationwide network reliability is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures, which have proven particularly valuable during natural disasters and other emergencies. 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.
NETWORK INVESTMENT:
In Colorado, Verizon Wireless invested more than $107 million in network enhancements in 2004. The company has invested nearly $295 million over a three-year period in Colorado network upgrades alone.
B-ROLL AVAILABLE:
B-Roll and high-quality still photographs of Verizon Wireless' mobile cell sites used for disaster response can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia
CONTACT:
Bob Kelley
Verizon Wireless
303-694-8990
robert.kelley@verizonwireless.com
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data 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 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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