While the fires burn in SoCal, Verizon Wireless' network is delivering reliable wireless
coverage and service to keep emergency responders and customers
connected. They deployed Cells on Wheels and other methods to keep the network up and running.
During peak hours of usage in the areas directly affected by
the wildfires, traffic on the Verizon Wireless network was up 75
percent over a typical day. All cell sites in the affected areas have
continued to process calls and data transmissions during the crisis.
Generators from the company's emergency fleet are providing power where
commercial power is still out.
Verizon Tips for customers
To help wireless customers stay connected during an emergency, Verizon Wireless offers the following tips:
- Save emergency phone numbers in your cell phone with one-touch dialing.
- Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you have to evacuate.
- Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends.
- Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free up wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations.
- Send brief text messages rather than making voice calls for the same reasons.
- Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for back-up power.
- Keep phones, laptops, PDAs, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry, accessible location.
- There's no need to find a Wi-Fi hotspot with BroadbandAccess --
Verizon Wireless' high-speed wireless broadband service gives users
mobile access to e-mail and the Internet at broadband speeds.
Support for emergency responders
Verizon Wireless has donated equipment and service to 19 government
agencies, including fire departments and forestry services. To date,
the company has donated:
- More than 90 cell phones to make free phone calls to help battle
fires and to keep in touch with family members and 20 BroadbandAccess
wireless cards to provide free Internet access - One repeater at the Orange County Fire Authority Command Center at Irvine Park
Support for relief efforts
To assist evacuees, Verizon Wireless volunteers have staffed
communication booths at Red Cross relief centers. Employee volunteer
teams are shifted as shelters close and others open. Resources for the
booths include a total of:
- More than 100 cell phones to make free phone calls
- 35 BroadbandAccess wireless cards to access the Internet for free
Network reliability
Verizon Wireless has made extensive investments and efforts to
prepare its network for emergencies and provide the most reliable
ongoing wireless service for residents and businesses. Last year, the
company invested more than $650 million throughout California to
strengthen and enhance its wireless network. The company invested more
than $360 million during the first half of 2008. Highlights of Verizon
Wireless' 2008 emergency preparation and network enhancements include:
- The company has a fleet of Cells on Wheels (COWs) and Cells on
Light Trucks (COLTs), and Generators on Trailers (GOaTs) that can be
deployed to fire command centers or areas that need extra network
capacity. - Verizon Wireless has made arrangements for fuel delivery to mobile
units and generators to keep the network operating at full strength
even if power is lost for an extended period of time. - The company has expanded its EV-DO Rev. A wireless broadband
network throughout the region. This allows the most advanced wireless
services (downloads, location-based applications, video messaging,
etc.) and makes the network more reliable for usage by residents and
emergency agencies. - Verizon Wireless added an additional switch in southern California
to manage hundreds of the company's cell sites to direct and manage
traffic flow on the network. - Verizon Wireless has invested more than $48 billion in the past
eight years to enhance its digital wireless network across the nation.