Verizon Wireless To Unleash COLT At Washington University For Vice Presidential Debate In Missouri

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ST. LOUIS, MO — Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, stands primed and ready as all eyes and ears prepare to fall on Washington University for the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2.

The company has deployed a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) to temporarily double its network capacity for voice and data transmissions in the campus vicinity as vice presidential candidates Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., formally square off for their first and only debate this election season.

Deploying this COLT is a proactive measure to accommodate the anticipated onslaught of network activity by members of the media, political strategists, event organizers, students, on-site or in-home spectators, and those otherwise engaged in the political process.

The temporary cell site, or COLT, can process thousands of calls and data transmissions each hour and is designed for use at special events that demand additional network capacity. With the improved network coverage, more customers can use their wireless phones to make calls and send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages.

"There's no question the vice presidential debate will leave Americans with much to say and share," said Lou Sigillo, president – Kansas/Missouri region, Verizon Wireless. "For St. Louisans, that means an additional demand for our wireless service in the area surrounding Washington University. Our COLT enables us to meet that temporary increase in call volume and provide our customers with the high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless."

The ability to meet or exceed network demand, even on a short-term basis, is part of the company's commitment to stay ahead of the growing need for Verizon Wireless' voice and data services. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $45 billion since it was formed – $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. In the first half of this year, the company has spent more than $26 million in Missouri on new cell sites and other upgrades to its network.

Verizon Wireless plans to activate a second permanent cell site on the campus of Washington University by the end of this year – just one of many ongoing network improvements in the St. Louis area.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.

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