What:
Verizon Wireless tapped its fleet of emergency mobile equipment to respond to a request from the Forest Service to boost wireless coverage for emergency crews battling multiple blazes in western Montana.
The Cell on Wheels, or "COW," is a self-contained mobile cell site designed specifically for rapid and short-term network response. The COW enhances wireless coverage so that emergency response teams and other Verizon Wireless customers can make more calls.
When:
COWs were deployed from Helena beginning on July 20, 2007.
Where:
In Montana, near the communities of Augusta, Choteau and W. Yellowstone.
Why:
Verizon Wireless uses mobile cell sites to enhance its network when there is a natural disaster or other unplanned event that calls for additional cell coverage and capacity. So far this year, Verizon Wireless has deployed mobile cell sites and other equipment to more than a dozen wildfire incidents around the country. Additionally, the company has donated more than 600 wireless phones with service to aid public safety officials and others.
Network Investment:
Verizon Wireless has invested more than $125 million in its Montana network in the past five years.
Reliability:
In addition to its fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless' nationwide network reliability is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures. This has 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.
B-roll:
B-roll and high-quality still photographs of Verizon Wireless' fleet of COWs can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company 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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