Nine Hurricanes Predicted For 2011 Atlantic Storm Season; Verizon Wireless Network Prepared To Serve South Carolina Customers
April 25, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – April 25, 2011 – Experts have predicted that nine hurricanes will form in the Atlantic Ocean in 2011, with five of those storms developing into major hurricanes packing sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or more. With hurricane season beginning June 1, Verizon Wireless has prepared its South Carolina network to serve customers in the event of major storms, other emergencies and every day.
Network enhancements since last year’s storm season include launching its most advanced 4G LTE services in numerous South Carolina markets; installing new in-building network systems at hospitals, government and emergency facilities, high-traffic public venues and other key locations; and ensuring that South Carolina’s leading wireless provider now has coverage across 26,845 square miles of the state, providing access to the convenience of Verizon Wireless’ high-speed wireless internet service, real-time e-mail and entertainment services through Verizon Wireless’ EVDO data network.
Each year, Verizon Wireless conducts hundreds of emergency exercises, simulating events such as natural disasters, transportation disruptions, and power outages, said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless Carolinas/Tennessee region president. Reliability is in our DNA. It’s built into everything we do from network operations to customer service to business continuity and disaster recovery.
Other Verizon Wireless ongoing efforts to ensure a reliable network during the storm season and year-round include:
• A comprehensive emergency response plan, including preparing emergency command centers across South Carolina in the case of a storm or other crisis.
• Network technicians, who serve as the inspiration for the famous TV Test Man commercials, travel hundreds of thousands of miles across South Carolina in high-tech vehicles to measure the quality of Verizon Wireless voice and data service calls all across the state.
• The company has a fleet of dozens of Cells on Wheels (COWS), Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS), and generators on trailers (GOaTS) that can be rolled into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network capacity.
• Pre-arranging fuel delivery to mobile units and generators to keep the network operating at full strength even if power is lost for an extended period of time.
These initiatives are part of a network investment exceeding $865 million in South Carolina since the company formed in 2000. Nationally, the company has invested more than $65 billion to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network, and to add new services.
For more information on the Verizon Wireless network, products and services, visit www.verizonwireless.com.
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). 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.
