Verizon Wireless Turbocharges Wireless Services For Race Fans In Daytona, Florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Verizon Wireless, which operates the nation’s most reliable and largest voice and 3G data network, has revved up its high-speed network with even greater horsepower to serve race fans at the Coke Zero 400 and other Independence Day weekend races at Daytona International Speedway.

The company has rolled in two high-tech COWs (Cells on Wheels) outside of the speedway – each with a 75-foot telescoping antenna, eight dedicated voice channels and three high-speed data channels. The units will strengthen the already robust Verizon Wireless network in Daytona Beach and across Florida for the spike in calls, text messages, picture and video messages, Internet connections and other wireless traffic during the races and related events this week.

Verizon Wireless also has installed in-building systems to boost service in a variety of hotels and other destinations hosting the events related to the big race, and has activated and upgraded numerous cell sites around Daytona Beach in past months to reliably handle increased network demand.

At the height of the weekend races attracting up to 200,000 fans on the 480-acre motor sports complex, Verizon Wireless expects tens of millions of successful connections per hour on its Florida digital network.

“Our network teams are experienced in handling this many big events here in Florida,” said Frank Wise, executive network director for the Verizon Wireless Florida region. “It really doesn’t matter how many people show up, we know how to deliver the strongest wireless network and services for visiting fans, journalists and local residents.”

The work is part of the Verizon Wireless overall continuing effort to enhance the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G broadband network. In Florida, the company invested $240 million in network improvements over the past year, and more than $2 billion in the state since 2000.

This year the company plans to roll out the nation’s first 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network in 25 to 30 markets.

For more information on the Verizon Wireless network, products and services, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 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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