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Race Fans Can Make the Call This Weekend Thanks to Verizon Wireless' Fine-Tuned Network

Posted on: Thursday, 21 May 2009, 12:00 CDT

INDIANAPOLIS, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Before and after race officials wave the checkered flag in Indiana this weekend, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to make more calls; exchange more text, picture and video messages; and watch more sports clips on their wireless phones thanks to the company's recent network enhancements. Verizon Wireless has increased data capacity by 95 percent and voice capacity by 30 percent around the Indianapolis Speedway to accommodate an anticipated crowd of 400,000 for this weekend's racing extravaganza.

Verizon Wireless activated one new permanent cell site and deployed a Cell on Trailer (COT), both of which cover the Speedway. A COT is a fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity in a specific location. Additionally, the company upgraded all of its permanent cell sites that provide service to the Speedway and its surrounding area to increase data capacity.

To ensure the reliability of Verizon Wireless' revved-up network, the company's real-life Indiana test man, Howard Groves, will be outside the Speedway on race day in a Verizon Wireless test vehicle, equipped with about $300,000 in special equipment designed to test voice and data coverage.*

"Fans who attend major sporting events like this one rely on their wireless phones, not only to keep in touch with friends and family members, but also to share pictures with those who are not at the race and even to watch sports highlights right from their phones," said Greg Haller, president -- Indiana/Kentucky/Michigan region, Verizon Wireless. "Our customers choose Verizon Wireless because they know they can depend on us when they pick up their phones."

These network improvements are part of Verizon Wireless' ongoing efforts to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Indiana and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed --- $5.5 billion on average every year --- to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. In 2008, the company invested more than $106.5 million in its Indiana network.

* Editor's Note: To learn more about testman Howard Groves and how he tests the network, visit http://news.vzw.com/testdriver/midwest/testdriver05.html. Members of the news media who would like to ride along with Howard Groves on race day and learn more about Verizon Wireless' strategy for monitoring and improving its network, can contact Kyle Niederpruem at 317-509-7334.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

Source: PR Newswire

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