Verizon Wireless has added capacity to key cell sites, deployed mobile transmission units and dispatched crews of real-life "test men" to fine-tune its network for voice and high-speed wireless data calls.
“This means during special circumstances such as a presidential election and the incredible hurricane season we've experienced in Florida...or any day of the year when our customers pick up the phone.”
Demand on the network has been surging since the political season began as voters, candidates, campaigns and news media gear up for elections, and a greater spike in wireless traffic is expected prior to and on Election Day. During peak calling times this past month in Florida alone, the Verizon Wireless network is processing tens of millions of voice and data calls each single hour.
"Election Day in Florida again is a very hot topic for our residents and national figures making their way into the state," said Mike Lanman, Florida region president of Verizon Wireless. "We've made huge investments here and are working hard to make sure our network does a top job in handling all the calls and wireless communications regarding the elections."
Over the past four years, Verizon Wireless has spent more than $800 million building, testing and enhancing its digital network in Florida alone. The network now covers more than 25,000 square miles and serves nearly 15.5 million of Florida's 17 million residents.
Recently, the company upgraded its network in South Florida and Tampa Bay to launch the fastest commercially available high-speed wireless wide-area network in the nation - called BroadbandAccess(sm) - with typical download speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps), and capable of speeds in excess of 2.0 mbps. BroadbandAccess(sm) also is available in the Orlando and Jacksonville international airports, and will be launched in other Florida markets in 2004-05.
The BroadbandAccess(sm) network is expected to handle large amounts of traffic as national news media, political parties and others on the move within Florida rely on wireless connections to log onto the internet and corporate servers, send email, run other applications and to remotely coordinate their election-related operations.
In addition to boosting its network to better serve Floridians and others involved in the elections, Verizon Wireless has provided phones to election officials in areas still suffering significant hurricane damage. For example, the company has provided 20 phones to Santa Rosa County officials to help them ensure a smooth election for area voters.
"We're always working to make sure our network performs for customers," Lanman said. "This means during special circumstances such as a presidential election and the incredible hurricane season we've experienced in Florida...or any day of the year when our customers pick up the phone."
Test Man Ride-Along Program
The specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test seven wireless providers, using a computerized program to generate phonically diverse "conversations" as well as data transmissions. Members of the media who are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along with a local member of the Verizon Wireless team of real-life test men and women, contact Chuck Hamby at 813-615-4803 or via email at chuck.hamby@verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the most reliable nationwide wireless network, serving 42.1million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD) and (LSE:VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto http://www.thenewsmarket.com
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