Verizon Wireless rolls solar-powered network equipment into Tuolumne County for firefighters

What:

Verizon Wireless responded to a request from local authorities for additional network coverage and capacity to support emergency personnel battling the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. The additional temporary network equipment, located at Smith Lookout just outside of Groveland, will enhance wireless voice and data coverage for more than 2,000 emergency personnel and others.

Boosting coverage and capacity to existing cell sites in the area also enhances wireless coverage so that emergency response teams and other Verizon Wireless customers can make more calls and send more data transmissions faster. 

Verizon Wireless has also provided wireless phones and mobile broadband Jetpacks to fire command crews to enhance voice and data communications at the base camp near Buck Meadows, CA.

When:

Tuesday, August 20 – Temporary network equipment has been activated to add network coverage and capacity in remote areas affected by the Rim Fire.

Where:

Smith Lookout (near Groveland, CA)

Why:

Verizon Wireless deploys mobile cell sites, directional antennas and network repeaters -- or boosts the call-handling capacity of existing cell sites -- to enhance its network when there is a natural disaster or other unplanned event.

Reliability:

In addition to its fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless' industry-leading network redundancy and maintenance practices have proven especially valuable to first responders during natural disasters and emergencies across the country.  Standard Verizon Wireless network-reliability features include battery back-up power at virtually all facilities as well as generators at switching facilities and many cell site locations.

Preparedness:

Always being prepared is central to Verizon's culture — from network operations to account management to customer service. Verizon Wireless offers tips to help wireless customers prepare a communications plan and stay connected in the event of an emergency. Click here for additional information on wildfire preparedness.

Verizon Wireless invested $641 million during 2012 in California to provide new wireless services, expanding network coverage and capacity for customers across the state. Verizon Wireless' network investment in the Golden State totals more than $7.8 billion and $80 billion nationally since its inception in 2000.