Verizon is ready as Hurricane Harvey threatens Texas

HOUSTON, Aug. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Harvey continues its path toward the Texas coast, Verizon Wireless is well-prepared to serve customers in Corpus Christi and across the region with the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

Final fine-tuning measures are underway and local Network teams also are prepared to travel the coast to assist other regions hit hardest by the storm. The efforts are part of a year-round plan to make the network strong and reliable during storms and any other circumstances.

Network enhancements in Texas since last year's storm season include expanding and densifying the most advanced 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) services across the state; adding capacity to hundreds of cell sites; fortifying coverage along evacuation routes, including the use of stilts at cell sites in hurricane-prone areas; and installing new in-building network systems at hospitals, government and emergency facilities, high-traffic public venues and other key locations.

In addition, the company has a number of "switch" network processing centers across Texas. With hardened shells, these facilities also feature large-scale on-site power generation, various redundant operations and technologies, and other back-up systems to ensure the company's network remains strong, running and reliable.

"We work hard all year-round to ensure the strongest network and provide the most advanced, reliable service to our customers when they need it most," said Leo Perreault, executive director for network assurance for Verizon Wireless. "We take this responsibility seriously, and our Network team takes great pride in providing the best network experience, especially in and after severe weather."

Other Verizon Wireless ongoing efforts to ensure a reliable network include:

• Preparing emergency command centers in the case of a storm or other crisis
• Readying the company's fleet of mobile equipment including of Cells on Wheels (COWS), Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS), and generators on a trailers (GOaTS) that can be rolled into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network capacity
• Pre-arranging 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
• Topping off and testing generators and battery backups in cells sites
• Coordinating with local, state and federal emergency services so they have the communications services they need
• Pre-positioning emergency equipment, setting up our local switch location to house our 24x7 command center
• Using the newest technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles to survey tower damage after a storm

These initiatives are part of a network investment of nearly $1 billion in 2016 to increase the coverage, reliability and capacity of its premier network in Texas, and to add new services like antenna tilt technology to remotely enhance the network based on customer usage. 

For more information on the Verizon Wireless network, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, has a diverse workforce of 163,400 and generated nearly $126 billion in 2016 revenues. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network and the nation's premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated solutions to businesses worldwide. Its Oath subsidiary houses more than 50 media and technology brands that engage about 1 billion people around the world.

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Media contact:
Jeannine Brew
972.444.5233
jeannine.brew@verizonwireless.com 
Twitter: @JeannineBrew

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SOURCE Verizon