Verizon Wireless' COLT and COW Will Enhance Network for RAGBRAI Riders at Three Stops in Iowa
Portable Cell Sites Will Boost Network Capacity in Humboldt, Cedar Falls and Dyersville
DES MOINES, Iowa, July 16 / -- Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable voice and data network, will boost network capacity with portable cell sites at three cities along this year's route for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®) July 22-28.
The company announced it will activate a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) for tour stops in Humboldt on July 23 and Dyersville on July 27; and bring a Cell on Wheels (COW) to Cedar Falls on July 25. These temporary cell sites are equivalent to the highest capacity stationary site presently in Iowa and are able to process thousands of calls every hour.
"As the official wireless provider for RAGBRAI, we are committed to serving our customers as well as the ride organizers along this year's route," said Nancy B. Clark, president -- Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. "Based on our research, we anticipate each of these Iowa communities will experience triple the usage during the ride's tour stop than would occur during an average summer day," Clark said.
RAGBRAI's 10,000 riders will attract an estimated 10,000 viewers at most stops along the route, with between 30,000 and 40,000 viewers expected in Cedar Falls, where Lance Armstrong will attend a benefit concert for his foundation on July 25, according to RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz.
Verizon Wireless' fleet of COLTS and COWS provides service at special events, such as RAGBRAI, that demand additional network capacity. They also are designed for use when natural disasters or other unplanned events interrupt wireless voice and data service. Last year the company deployed these temporary cell sites to increase capacity at the Iowa State Fair and in Iowa City for the Iowa-Iowa State football game.
Verizon Wireless continues to increase capacity and augment the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Iowa and across the country. The company has invested $39 billion in the last seven years -- $5 billion on average every year since the company was formed -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. Nearly $42 million of this investment was spent in Iowa in 2006.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 60.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 66,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone. Find more information on the Web at 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
CONTACT: Karen Smith of Verizon Wireless, +1-612-590-3511, Karen.Smith@VerizonWireless.com; or Heidi Dunkleman, +1-888-296-2411, ext. 4, Heidi.albersgroup@cox.net, for Verizon Wireless
Web site: www.verizonwireless.com/
