Emergency Preparedness Tips, Customer Testimonials and More Available
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, owner and
operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has opened its
2006 Hurricane Center page on its Web site to help consumers in
hurricane-prone areas prepare for the 2006 North Atlantic hurricane season,
which officially starts today. The Web pages, which can be found at
http://news.vzw.com/criticalevents/index.html, offer hurricane preparation
tips, network information, customer testimonials from the 2005 hurricane
season and customer service contact information.
"At Verizon Wireless, we have seen that preparation equals performance
and we want to help consumers communicate and stay safe before, during and
after storms," said Lowell McAdam, executive vice president and chief
operating officer at Verizon Wireless. "In the same way we have made vast
preparations to the Verizon Wireless network to keep it operating as the
most reliable wireless network, we hope customers will also prepare
themselves for what is being forecasted as another active hurricane
season."
Customers visiting the site can access the following information:
* Hurricane Preparation Tips - Helpful tips on how consumers can prepare
an emergency communications plan for the hurricane season and advice on
ways to stay connected even in the worst weather
(http://news.vzw.com/criticalevents/moreinformation/HurricaneTips.html)
* Verizon Wireless Network Preparations - Information about Verizon
Wireless' year-round network investments to ready the network, network
tests conducted during the previous hurricane seasons and Verizon
Wireless plans for Wireless Emergency Communications Centers
(http://news.vzw.com/criticalevents/moreinformation/networkpreparation.html)
* Hurricane Testimonials - First-hand feedback from Gulf Coast and
Florida customers on the reliability of Verizon Wireless' network
during the extraordinary 2005 hurricane season
(http://aboutus.vzw.com/customer/hurricane_testimonials.html)
* Customer Service Contact Information - Information about how to contact
customer service representatives
Verizon Wireless is committed to reliability by design with Verizon
Wireless investing significantly in network cell sites, switches and
infrastructure throughout the years. Today, about 90 percent of the
company's cell sites in hurricane-prone regions also have on-site back-up
generators, which are routinely tested to ensure they are ready in the
event the local electrical power source is knocked out. In addition,
Verizon Wireless maintains a fleet of mobile generators and Cells on Wheels
(COWs) - self- powered call transmitters that can be rolled into hard-hit
locations to provide additional service. The Verizon Wireless team of
real-life test men and women, backed by the company's Network Operations
team, test and retest the network's performance and durability all year
round.
Verizon Wireless preparation for the 2006 hurricane season includes:
* The Verizon Wireless network is built for reliability in emergencies,
with battery back-up power at all facilities, as well as generators
installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations.
This capability is critical when power goes out and if roads are
impassable in the wake of a storm.
* The company has a fleet of Cells on Wheels (COWs) and Cells on Light
Trucks (COLTs), which are self-powered transmitters that can be rolled
into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network capacity.
Network teams also have hundreds of generators ready to go to further
strengthen the network.
* Verizon Wireless is fully prepared to again quickly set up Wireless
Emergency Communication Centers (WECCs) to serve residents and rescue
agencies in the area(s) in the greatest need.
* The company has developed and practiced a comprehensive emergency
response plan, including preparing emergency command centers in the
case of a storm or crisis.
* During Florida's tax-free period, Verizon Wireless offered an
additional 25 percent discount on phone batteries, chargers and other
accessories in its company-owned Verizon Wireless Communications Stores
in Florida, giving residents the opportunity to save money and avoid
the rush for essential items once actual hurricane warnings go up.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless
network, serving 53 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in
Basking Ridge, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon
Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more
information on the Web at 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.
SOURCE Verizon Wireless
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.verizonwireless.com
http://news.vzw.com/criticalevents/index.html
CONTACT:
Tom Pica of Verizon Wireless,
+1-908-306-4385, or Thomas.Pica@VerizonWireless.com
|
