Verizon Adds Network Capacity For Residents Impacted By Missouri River Flooding In The Dakotas And Iowa

MINOT, ND — The Verizon Wireless network team has added capacity to cell sites in several communities that are impacted by flooding of the Missouri river and its tributaries. Because of increased wireless usage, Verizon has added thirty per cent more capacity to cell sites in the cities of Minot, N.D., Bismarck/Mandan, N.D. and Yankton, S.D.; and twenty per cent more capacity to the cell sites in the cities of Pierre, S.D. and Sioux City, Iowa.

Verizon Wireless has deployed a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) to the Bismarck area, in the event a temporary cell site is needed. The network is being monitored 24/7 and so far, no cell sites have been impacted by the flooding.

All cell sites have eight hours of battery backup power in the event of a commercial power interruption and fuel delivery to mobile units and generators have been pre-arranged to keep the network operating at full strength even if power is lost for an extended time.

These kinds of intensive investments and preparations have proven crucial during severe weather events. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $65 billion since it was formed—$6 billion on average every year—to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services.

For more information about Verizon Wireless visit www.verizonwireless.com.  

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About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 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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