Verizon Wireless' "COW" Does The Puyallup In Washington

SEATTLE, WA — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service, the company will expand its network capacity during the Puyallup Fair by deploying a temporary mobile cell site called a COW (Cell on Wheels) for the duration of the fair.

The COW will be stationed on the fairgrounds September 7-23, allowing more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently in making calls, sending and receiving text and picture messages, and downloading games and music.

"With more than a million people expected for the fair, we typically experience a massive surge in wireless activity," said Kelley Kurtzman, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "We maintain a fleet of mobile cell sites to draw on for these kinds of situations. Whether the need is a civic event or a community emergency, we're able to bring in an additional mobile cell site that works along with our existing network in the area to handle a dramatic increase in wireless usage."

Quick Facts on the Verizon Wireless COW

• The temporary cell site is equivalent to the highest capacity stationary site presently in the Verizon Wireless network, able to process thousands of calls every hour.
• The trucks are specially equipped with $500,000 in sophisticated mobile equipment.
• The COW's microwave antenna, used for linking our network components, provides the calling equivalent of 672 landline phone lines. Its reach spans as many as 20 miles, depending on terrain.
• The 25,000 lb. vehicle features a 55 ft. retractable mast. And, since Verizon Wireless has to be prepared that community resources may not be available in the event of emergency, the vehicle is fully self-contained with equipment, fuel, electrical generators, food, water, cots, etc.

The temporary cell site is part of Verizon Wireless' ongoing commitment to network reliability, and to increasing and enhancing the capability and capabilities of its wireless voice and data network in the Puget Sound region and across the country.

The company was recognized on September 6, 2007, for the "Highest Call Quality Performance Among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the West Region," which includes Washington in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study^SM Volume 2. The company's investment in its Washington network alone now totals more than $594 million over the past five and a half years — part of a $40 billion nationwide network investment over the last seven years.

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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