Verizon Wireless' 'COLTs' Make Pit Stop at Pocono Raceway for NASCAR Weekend

LONG POND, Pa., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- In readiness for the throng of NASCAR fans expected to descend on the area for this weekend's Pocono 500, Verizon Wireless will beef up its network capacity by deploying two temporary mobile cell sites known as COLTs (Cell on Light Truck).  Each COLT is a fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity, allowing more customers to use their wireless phones -- including the latest, advanced smartphones -- concurrently to make calls, surf the Internet, update social networking sites, send and receive text and picture messages, and download apps, music, and games. Desktop and laptop computer users will even be able to use MobileBroadband, the company's wireless broadband service, to surf the Web at high speeds.

"Whether they're looking up a racing statistic, updating their Facebook status, tweeting updates or sending a picture to a friend, our customers take full advantage of their wireless service to capture the moment, significantly increasing traffic on our local network," said Mario Turco, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "By activating these temporary cell sites, our network is prepared to handle the increased activity that comes with large gatherings. We anticipate a big surge in voice calls, Internet access, text messages and picture messages as attendees use their wireless devices to capture and share the events."

The temporary cell sites are part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless' voice and data services. The company has invested more than $59 billion nationwide since it was formed -- $5.7 billion on average every year -- including more than $1.3 billion across the region. Verizon Wireless invested more than $163 million to enhance services and coverage across central, northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware during 2009. The mobile cell sites are on constant standby to provide additional wireless network capacity and coverage in emergencies and at highly attended scheduled events.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with  81,000 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless