Mobile Cell Site Sent to the Pepper Fire to Boost Wireless Service

What:
Verizon Wireless deployed a Cell on Wheels to boost wireless coverage and capacity for emergency crews battling the Pepper Fire in Otero County, NM.

When:
COW in-service and processing calls effective April 23, 2008

Where:
In the rural Southern New Mexico community of Sacramento, NM.

Why:
Verizon Wireless deploys mobile cell sites to enhance its network when there is a natural disaster or other unplanned event. In the past year, Verizon Wireless has deployed mobile cell sites and other equipment to more than a dozen wildfire incidents around the country. Additionally, the company has provided more than 650 wireless phones with service to aid public safety officials and others.

Network investment:
Verizon Wireless has invested more than $245 million in its wireless network in New Mexico and El Paso over the past seven years.

Reliability:
In addition to its fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless' reputation as the nation's most reliable network is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures. This has proven particularly valuable during natural disasters and other emergencies across the country.

Standard Verizon Wireless network-reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 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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