VZW Expands Its Network on Washington's Ski Slopes

[Mobile Mike]

FYI:

BELLEVUE, WA — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service on Washington State’s ski slopes, Verizon Wireless has extended its network coverage to include the popular Snoqualmie Pass ski area and has enhanced its coverage at Crystal Mountain ski area and lodge.

Just in time for ski season, the expansion is part of Verizon Wireless’ aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in Washington for the company’s Voice Messaging, National Access wireless Internet service and Get It Now® ring tones, games, productivity applications and more. Popular with skiers for its close proximity to Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass will now have reliable coverage for customers on the mountain as well along the Interstate 90 corridor through the mountain pass. Customers at the Crystal Mountain ski resort will also experience enhanced wireless coverage on the mountain and at the lodge.

In 2002 and 2003, Verizon Wireless invested more than $148 million to further expand and enhance its wireless voice and data network in Washington and safeguard network reliability. Verizon Wireless spends more than $4 billion nationally each year to expand and upgrade its nationwide wireless network.

“Skiers and snowboarders alike will now enjoy all the benefits and safety of reliable network coverage whether they are hitting the slopes or enjoying the après ski,” said Kelley Kurtzman, regional president for Verizon Wireless. “We will continue to invest in our Washington network to deliver the best possible coverage.”

The company’s ‘most reliable network’ claim is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women who inspired the company’s national advertising campaign. These test men and women are Verizon Wireless engineers who make more than 300,000 test calls monthly on Verizon Wireless’ and other national wireless carriers’ networks while they travel more than 100,000 miles nationwide in specially equipped, company-owned test vehicles.

Verizon Wireless network reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations. The company also operates a fleet of mobile generators and temporary cell sites, or cells-on-wheels, ready for deployment.

http://news.vzw.com/news/2004/12/pr2004-12-07e.html