Wireless Technology and the Nation's Most Reliable Network Ensure Race Officials, Runners and Spectators are Connected Throughout the Race

CHICAGO, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the official wireless sponsor of the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, announced today that the company will provide its Field Force Manager product and PC cards to the race staff to guarantee crystal clear communication between staff members and to ensure emergency response communication can be organized and communicated clearly. The wireless company will also increase network capacity with the deployment of a temporary portable "cell on wheels" to prepare for the expected influx of simultaneous calls and text messages as thousands of fans and supporters descend upon the city.

High-Tech Marathon Team

Field Force Manager is a turnkey wireless solution that combines powerful Web-based applications with handsets to help increase efficiencies between a central base of operations and workers in field. Bank of America Chicago Marathon race coordinators will use Field Force Manager to map crew workers' GPS locations along the race route in real-time for live monitoring of race activities and to assist in the event of an emergency situation. Field Force Manager will also enable volunteers from health services and race administration, as well as timekeepers and others to stay in touch about real-time events occurring along the race route.

"Communication plays a big role in the coordination of a marathon that is safe, successful and fun for everyone involved," says T.J. Fox, Illinois/Wisconsin Region President-Verizon Wireless. "Verizon Wireless' Force Field Manager will allow the marathon staff to clearly communicate situations while the system pinpoints their ground crews' whereabouts. This prevents any confusion about a crew's exact location on the marathon route-- between city blocks or in the middle of Grant Park, for example."

Verizon Wireless is also providing marathon officials with 3G-capable wireless phones and PC cards, giving access to both voice and data services, including the Internet, via the company's high-speed mobile broadband network. Marathon officials will use the PC cards in laptops and handheld computers to keep track of runners and share other information during the race.

'Beefing up' Cell Capacity

Verizon Wireless will also deploy a COW (Cell on Wheels) at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon site to provide additional voice and high-speed data capacity for the tens of thousands of marathoners and more than a million fans expected to descend upon downtown Chicago to support their friends and family members as they cross the finish line.

The COW is part of a fleet of mobile cell sites the company maintains not only to enhance service surrounding large-scale events, but also in times of natural disasters. The service enhancement means that more customers can use the Verizon Wireless network concurrently, whether making voice calls or using data applications to receive real-time updates as runners cross the 10K, halfway (13.1 miles) and 30K checkpoints, as well as the finish line.

"We anticipate a 200 percent spike in wireless traffic on our network in the area during marathon weekend," says Fox. "The COW strengthens an already robust Verizon Wireless network in Chicago and is equivalent to the highest capacity stationary site presently in Illinois, with the ability to process thousands of calls every hour."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: 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.

About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon

In its 32nd year and a member of the World Marathon Majors, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon annually attracts 45,000 runners including a world class elite field and 1.5 million spectators. As a result of its national and international draw, the iconic race assists in raising $10 million for a variety of charitable causes while generating an estimated $143 million economic impact to its host city. To extend that impact, the 2009 race has invited all participants and fans to get involved through a first-ever online fundraising campaign going on now through Oct. 9. By customizing a shoeprint at www.chicagomarathon.com/footprint, visitors select one of 22 charities to receive a dollar donation from Bank of America. The charity with the most submissions will also be granted an additional $10,000 donation in an announcement at the 27th Mile Post-Race Party on race day.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.verizonwireless.com
http://footprint.chicagomarathon.com/