Verizon’s LTE “COW” Delivers 4G Data on Wheels for Big Events

Verizon’s begun deploying what they’re calling the ” LTE C.O.W.” which stands for Cells on Wheels. These units exist to deliver strengthened data coverage for Verizon users within the radius of the truck. Verizon uses sports outings, festivals and disaster sites and other big events as prime deployment areas for these.

At an NFL event where attendance can be anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000+, Verizon anticipates that many attendees are using their networks. It’s believed that simultaneous high cellular use in small areas can affect data speeds so this should help make their LTE network feel just as fast as it does if you were in a non-bloated area.

The first unit is being deployed in Florida but Verizon ensures more siblings will be on their way for other markets. Read on for full press details.

10/03/2011

PEMBROKE PINES, FL — Verizon Wireless proudly announced today the delivery of the company’s first 4G LTE C.O.W. (Fourth Generation Long-term Evolution Cell On Wheels) in Florida to bring the joy of reinforced high-speed wireless capabilities to its customers.

Delivered at the Verizon Wireless “super-switch” facility in Pembroke Pines, the new 4G LTE C.O.W. weighs in at a healthy 24,000 pounds and measures 1,080 inches, including its telescoping antenna tower.

The newborn C.O.W. will be deployed to targeted locations across the state when demand for wireless coverage and services spikes, including championship sports events, tourist destinations or large festivals. It also will be available to reinforce the most advanced 4G LTE wireless services for emergency responders and to the public in areas hit hard by a hurricane or other crisis.

The mobile unit is designed to handle hundreds of simultaneous voice calls and 4G LTE data transmissions such as photo and video messages, music and app downloads, internet surfing and more.

“With so many 4G LTE markets here in Florida, and with the frequent special events we have here, it’s natural that we deliver the first 4G LTE C.O.W.,” said Frank Wise, executive network director for Verizon Wireless. “We’re very proud of this new baby, and glowing about our 4G LTE services around the state.”

Verizon Wireless already has launched 4G LTE high-speed services in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Sarasota-Bradenton, Daytona Beach and Lakeland. Fort Myers will initiate the service later this month, and Verizon Wireless plans to upgrade 100 percent of its wireless network to 4G LTE by the end of 2013.

This 4G LTE network provides customers with wireless data speeds up to 10 times faster than the company’s 3G network. These speeds allow for smooth mobile video-conferencing, multiple video streams, faster transfer of large files, downloading and running powerful programs, machine-to-machine communications, and other applications to improve efficiency and productivity wirelessly.

As the first wireless company in the world to broadly deploy a large-scale 4G LTE network, Verizon Wireless is committed to building its 4G LTE network with the same performance and reliability for which it has long been recognized. Already, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE has won numerous technology and consumer choice awards.

The company’s consistent focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year. The company’s 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G LTE, including a contiguous, nationwide network license and improved in-building penetration.

The new 4G LTE C.O.W., with siblings soon to come, is designed to further enhance the strength and reliability of this Verizon Wireless network.

For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: 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 www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.