Verizon Wireless Prepared As Hurricane Earl Continues To Threaten East Coast

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — With Hurricane Earl moving up the East Coast, the Verizon Wireless network stands ready to provide the wireless coverage and service that customers count on when they need it most.

Verizon Wireless has been monitoring network activity closely in coastal areas from the Mid-Atlantic to the New England states to ensure network capacity continues to serve customers readying themselves, their families and businesses for possible hurricane landfall. In addition:

* The Verizon Wireless Network Operations Center tracks hurricane activity closely and provides real-time information to local network teams up and down the Atlantic seaboard.
* Verizon Wireless network teams have been checking cell sites and switches to ensure backup batteries are fully prepared and topping off generators to ensure continued operation of network cell sites and switches in the event public power is interrupted.
* Verizon Wireless has prepped and staged emergency equipment, including COWs (Cells on Wheels) and COLTs (Cells on Light Trucks) which can operate independently using a mobile satellite tower and generators on wheels, so they can be rolled into areas affected by the storm.
* Verizon Wireless network operations teams have plans for dealing with disaster if and when it strikes, including providing additional network facilities when and where wireless calling capacity is required.
* The company also has its Wireless Emergency Communications Centers, which can provide free calling, battery charging stations, and wireless communications support and service if needed in hard-hit communities, ready to go.

Latest Activity Part of Verizon Wireless’ Year-Round Network Efforts
Verizon Wireless network teams work year-round to prepare the Verizon Wireless network for emergencies and provide the most reliable ongoing wireless service for residents and businesses.

“We Keep You Connected When You Count on Us the Most” takes viewers to Verizon Wireless cell sites, switches and other network operations to show how the company prepares for hurricanes and other natural disasters and emergencies. The video can be viewed:

* On Verizon Wireless’ YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/VerizonWirelessTV
* In the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

More Information Available

* Learn more about Verizon Wireless’ ongoing preparations for hurricanes and other emergencies and find tips to help consumers prepare for a hurricane in the Verizon Wireless Emergency Information Center at http://news.vzw.com/Emergency/Overview.html.
* Ongoing network updates, enhancements and information are available on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNetwork.
* Video footage and images of Verizon Wireless network preparations in hurricane-prone areas are available in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.