Verizon Wireless Reports Restoration of Network Service, Continues Support of Communities Recovering From Hurricane Sandy

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Over a week after Hurricane Sandy, and after Winter Storm Athena, the Verizon Wireless network continues to perform very well and is virtually back to normal. The company also continues to support relief operations across the hardest-hit areas.

The company's network held up during the overnight weather on Wednesday and suffered no setbacks in progress toward complete restoration of network infrastructure affected by Sandy. Over 99.5% of network cell towers are back online.

Verizon Wireless also reported that all but three corporate retail locations in the storm-affected area are open for business.

In support of local residents who may still be without power or other telecommunications services, the company has staged eight mobile device charging stations in the NY/NJ/PA area and is offering free device charging and Internet access at all open retail locations. Several of the mobile device charging stations had to be moved in advance of Winter Storm Athena to protect the safety of employees and the community, and to ensure the stations remained operable and ready to redeploy after the storm. The company started re-deploying mobile charging stations on Thursday, the day after the storm. An updated listing of locations and services can be found here.

To support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, Verizon Wireless customers and the Verizon Foundation have pledged more than $3.7 million to the American Red Cross and other organizations aiding in Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.  Customers can still make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999, and those who would like to give more can donate up to $50 via text.   In addition, Verizon employees have donated nearly $500,000 to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to date through the Verizon Foundation's matching gifts program; the foundation will match those donations two-for-one.  For more on the Verizon Foundation's Sandy support, click here.

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Editor's note: High resolution photographs and video of mobile resources are available here.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 96 million retail customers, including 90.4 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 75,000 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.

CONTACT:
Andrea Kimmet
Verizon Wireless - Northeast Area
[email protected]
908-310-5591

SOURCE Verizon Wireless