Verizon Wireless' "COLTs" Make Pit Stop At Dover International Speedway For NASCAR Weekend In Delaware

DOVER, DE — Anticipating a surge in wireless activity from thousands of NASCAR fans during the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” Weekend on September 24-26 at Dover International Speedway, Verizon Wireless is activating two temporary mobile cell sites called COLTs (Cells on Light Truck). Verizon Wireless will beef up its network capacity by deploying two temporary mobile cell sites called COLTs (Cell on Light Truck).

With more than 250,000 race fans and tailgaters expected in the City of Dover throughout the weekend, Verizon Wireless reports that its network will handle double the number of wireless calls than during a typical weekend. The COLTs will enhance wireless capacity, allowing more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls, send and receive text and picture messages, and access their favorite social media sites.

“When we anticipate a significant surge in wireless activity, we bring in additional mobile cell sites that work along with our existing area network to compensate,” said Randy Miller, executive director of network for Verizon Wireless’ Philadelphia Tri-State Region. “The COLTs enable us to handle the temporary increase in wireless usage and ensures that we are providing our customers with the highest quality service from the nation’s most reliable network.”

Quick Facts on the Verizon Wireless COLT

• The temporary cell site can process thousands of calls every hour.
• Each 25,000-pound COLT features a retractable mast, a microwave antenna to link network components, an emergency power generator and a small office.
• The COLTs are also fully equipped with resources needed during emergencies including equipment, fuel, electrical generators, food, water and cots.

The temporary cell site is part of Verizon Wireless’ continuous effort to increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in the Philadelphia Tri-State Region and across the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $60 billion across the nation since it was formed in 2000 to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services like Mobile Broadband and V CAST. The company’s ongoing network investment across central, northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware now totals more than $1.5 billion.

B-Roll:
Video, B-roll and high-quality still photographs of Verizon Wireless’ fleet of COLTs can be found at http://verizonwireless.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=36603.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 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.  

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