BROOKLYN, Mich., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless has activated a temporary cell site to improve its voice and data network around the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn and to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of NASCAR fans attending races and related events at the speedway this summer.
The company has deployed a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) to boost capacity in the area surrounding the racetrack. A COLT is a fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity in a specific location -- and works especially well in dense areas with large crowds.
Additionally, Verizon Wireless has upgraded equipment on its existing cell sites in the area that provide coverage in and around MIS. The company's upgrades and the COLT will boost voice capacity by 300% and data capacity by more than 500%. These improvements enable more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
"Sports fans are passionate about sharing their experience with friends and family via Facebook posts, picture messages and other forms of wireless communication," said Greg Haller, president-Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "These improvements help ensure our customers who visit MIS this summer 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 MIS, 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 $59 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 nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone . For more information, visit http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Verizon Wireless
CONTACT: Michelle Gilbert of Verizon Wireless, +1-248-915-3680,
michelle.gilbert@verizonwireless.com, or Alan Upchurch For Verizon Wireless,
+1-248-855-6777, aupchurch@marxlayne.com
Web Site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
