[May 27, 2009] Verizon Wireless' 'COLTs' Make Pit Stop at Dover Speedway for NASCAR Race Weekend Tweet DOVER, Del., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for NASCAR fans during race weekend May 29-31 at Dover International Speedway, Verizon Wireless will beef up its network capacity by deploying two temporary mobile cell sites called COLTs (Cell on Light Truck). With more than 250,000 race fans and tailgaters expected in the City of Dover throughout the weekend, Verizon Wireless reports that its network will handle double the number of wireless calls than during a typical weekend. The COLTs will enhance wireless capacity, allowing more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls, send and receive text and picture messages, and download games and ringtones. "When we anticipate a significant surge in wireless activity, we bring in additional mobile cell sites that work along with our existing area network to compensate," said Ed Chan, executive director of network for Verizon Wireless' Philadelphia Tri-State Region. "The COLTs enable us to handle the temporary increase in wireless usage and ensures that we are providing our customers with the highest quality service from the nation's most reliable network." Quick Facts on the Verizon Wireless COLT -- The temporary cell site can process thousands of calls every hour. -- Each 25,000-pound COLT features two retractable masts, a microwave antenna to link network components, an emergency power generator and a small office. -- The COLTs are also fully equipped with resources needed during emergencies including equipment, fuel, electrical generators, food, water and cots. The temporary cell site is part of Verizon Wireless' continuous effort to increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in the Philadelphia Tri-State Region and across the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services like BroadbandAccess and V CAST. The company spent more than $200 million last year to expand and enhance its wireless network across central, northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, bringing the network investment in the region to more than $1.2 billion since 2001. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). 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: Pam Boyd or Carla Reinas, +1-856-642-6226; or Sheldon Jones ofVerizon Wireless, +1-215-638-5668, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]