Verizon Wireless 'Tackles' Heavy Cell Phone Usage at The Big House by Boosting 3G Capacity

Published on Thursday, 02 September 2010 14:09 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

Company Activates Three Temporary Cell Sites, Makes Other Improvements

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless has activated three temporary cell sites in Ann Arbor and upgraded equipment on its existing cell sites in the area that provide coverage in and around Michigan Stadium.

The company's upgrades boost voice capacity by 11% and data capacity by 87%. These improvements empower more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently for everything from social networking and internet browsing to checking email and making calls.

The temporary cell sites, known as COWs (Cell on Wheels) and COLTs (Cell on Light Truck), are fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell sites that enhance wireless capacity in a specific location—and work especially well in dense areas with large crowds.

This is the fifth consecutive year Verizon Wireless has increased capacity in Ann Arbor for the duration of the University of Michigan's football season. New this year, the company activated two additional temporary cell sites surrounding Michigan Stadium.

"Year over year, data usage of our Michigan network has nearly doubled and voice usage has grown by nearly 10 percent," said David MacBeth, executive director–Network, Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "Our customers are relying on their phones much more, particularly at major sporting events like college football games. These improvements help ensure our customers enjoying a football Saturday can make their calls and stay connected, send their emails and upload their photos and videos to their favorite social networking sites."

On-site network improvements, including the enhanced coverage around Michigan Stadium, are part of Verizon Wireless' continual efforts to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Michigan and throughout the country.

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $60 billion since it was formed—$5.7 billion on average every year—to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.4 billion on improvements to its wireless network in Michigan.

About Verizon Wireless in Michigan

In Michigan, Verizon Wireless has more than 2,100 employees and 65 company-owned retail locations in more than 40 cities, including Allen Park, Alpena, Alpine Twp., Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Battle Creek, Bay City, Brighton, Burton, Canton, Clinton Twp., Dearborn, Detroit, East Lansing, Escanaba, Farmington Hills, Fenton, Flint, Fort Gaylord, Gratiot, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Highland Park, Holland, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Jackson, Kentwood, Lake Orion, Lansing, Livonia, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Northville, Novi, Okemos, Petoskey, Pontiac, Portage, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, St. Joseph, Southfield, Taylor, Traverse City, Troy, Utica, Warren and Westland.

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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless